ALS patients displaced by Hurricane Ian are also coming to Holy Cross
October 14, 2022 – The Phil Smith Neuroscience Institute at Holy Cross Health in Fort Lauderdale has begun treating Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients with the drug AMX0035 to slow down progression of the disease. The Food and Drug Administration recently approved use of the drug. Funding for a portion of the Amylyx Pharmaceuticals drug is from the ALS Association from funds raised during the Ice Bucket Challenge in 2014.
Gustavo J. Alameda, MD
In addition, due to Hurricane Ian, the non-profit hospital is also taking an influx ALS patients from Florida’s west coast.
Holy Cross Health is committed to continuously working with its partners in researching and developing lifesaving therapies for treating patients with ALS. While there are not many options for ALS patients, AMX0035 is at least a breakthrough, according to Gustavo J. Alameda, MD, a neurologist and ALS Specialist at the ALS Center of Excellence at Holy Cross Health.
“This drug is not a cure but the data shows that it does slow down the progression which increases the quality of life for patients with ALS,” Dr. Alameda said.
The Phil Smith Neuroscience Institute at Holy Cross also is currently testing these Healey Platform Trials regimens: A- Zilucoplan; B- Verdiperstat; C- CNM-Au8 (Gold) and Clene (EAP); D- Pridopidine; and E- Trehalose (IV). The Institute is now enrolling ALS patients in:
- LAB PALS: testing for Biomarkers in those living with ALS
- Regimen E – Trehalose IV Infusions
- PTC Trial
- BIOGEN 303 SODl gene and families
- Expanded access program: AMYL YX – Sodium Phenyl butyrate and TUDCA
Patients are also now being prescribed Relyviro.
“We seek to participate in and lead cutting-edge, unique research trials to advance the care of patients suffering from debilitating diseases,” Dr. Alameda said. “We collaborate with Massachusetts General Hospital to give our patients increased access to clinical trials and medical treatments.”
ALS is a progressive neurological disease that results in the death of nerve cells called motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord which control voluntary muscles. ALS affects more than 16,000 patients in the U.S. According to the ALS Association, every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS, and someone passes away from it.
Holy Cross Health opened the Phil Smith Neuroscience Institute and Phil Smith ALS and Movement Disorders Clinic in 2018. More than 10 neurologists and rehabilitation specialists at the Phil Smith Neuroscience Institute provide comprehensive neurological and neurosurgical care for a variety of conditions. It is the only specialized care for ALS patients in Broward and Palm Beach counties and one of only five Certified Treatment Centers of ExcellenceSM in Florida as named by the ALS Association.
ABOUT HOLY CROSSS HEALTH
A member of Trinity Health, Fort Lauderdale-based Holy Cross Hospital, dba Holy Cross Health, is a full-service, non-profit, Catholic, teaching hospital operating in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy. Holy Cross has been recognized for eight Types of Care and ranked #8 in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metro area in U.S. News and World Report’s 2022-23 Best Hospital rankings. Through strategic collaborations and a commitment to being a person-centered, transforming, healing presence, the 557-bed hospital offers progressive inpatient, outpatient and community outreach services and clinical research trials to serve as our community’s trusted health partner for life. Holy Cross Health also encompasses Holy Cross HealthPlex outpatient facility, urgent care centers and more than 40 Holy Cross Medical Group physician practices. To learn more about Holy Cross Health, visit holy-cross.com.
