“Since I was diagnosed there’s not been any treatments available for me, so when I saw this trial was starting I thought ‘why not?’”
Kirsty Hosford was diagnosed with secondary progressive MS in 2010
A Co Down woman has opened up about taking part in a world-first trial for progressive multiple sclerosis (MS).
Kirsty Hosford, 52, from Newtownards, joined the MS Society-funded Octopus trial in Belfast in November 2023. She was diagnosed with secondary progressive MS in 2010 and medically retired as a Veterinary Surgeon four years ago.
Octopus is a multi-arm, multi-stage (MAMS) trial, designed to transform the way treatments for progressive MS are tested. Its focus is on existing drugs already approved for the treatment of other conditions, but which may also work to slow down or reverse MS progression.
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Multiple drugs are tested at once, rather than testing one drug at a time against a placebo. This method works up to three times faster than traditional trials.
Kirsty said: “Since I was diagnosed there’s not been any treatments available for me, so when I saw this trial was starting I thought ‘why not?’. It’s great being on a trial as it means you get more regular contact with a neurology team. Every six months I’m visiting the hospital.
“These regular check-ups have really helped me mentally. It’s also motivated me to keep going with physical activity and other activities like physio that help me manage my MS.
“The team at the hospital have been great – they’re really friendly and approachable. I would say to anyone out there living with progressive MS to give this trial a go. I hope the trial will find something that stops progression, that would be amazing.”
MS is a health condition that affects the brain and spinal cord. This impacts how people move, think and feel. More than 150,000 people live with MS in the UK; around 5,300 of those are in Northern Ireland. Those people living with progressive MS have little to stop their MS getting worse.
Kirsty medically retired as a Veterinary Surgeon four years ago
The MS Society-funded trial Octopus opened in Belfast in September 2023. It is being led in Northern Ireland by the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust alongside researchers from Queen’s University Belfast. The Belfast site, led by Consultant Neurologist Dr Gavin McDonnell, has recruited over 50 people aged 25-70 living with primary or secondary progressive MS and is urging more people to come forward to reach its target.
Stewart Finn, Northern Ireland Director at the MS Society, said: “Octopus is a first-of-its-kind trial for MS and we’re pleased that people in Northern Ireland have the opportunity to take part. This is one of the first trials for people with more advanced disability, many of whom don’t have access to any treatments. It’s vital that we find treatments for this group of people living with the condition.
“Patients have been recruited from every county and Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland, with the substantial majority travelling from outside Belfast. If you’re living with progressive MS, wherever you are in Northern Ireland, I would encourage you to find out more about the Octopus trial. There is funding available to cover travel costs.”
Kirsty joined the Octopus trial in Belfast in November 2023
Consultant Neurologist Dr Gavin McDonnell, who is leading the trial in Northern Ireland, added: “We’re delighted to have recruited almost 60 people from Northern Ireland to Octopus so far, and we’re following up with those who have already expressed an interest in taking part.
“But we’re urging people with primary or secondary progressive MS to continue to register their interest in the trial. The trial is based in Belfast, but patients from across Northern Ireland can take part. And unlike many other trials, Octopus is open to a broad range of patients, including those with more advanced mobility issues.”
In addition to the Belfast site, 14 other sites are currently open around the UK, including Southampton, Coventry, and Edinburgh. The first Octopus site opened in London in spring 2023, and there will eventually be up to 30 sites throughout the UK.
Octopus is being funded by donations to the MS Society’s Stop MS Appeal. The appeal hopes to raise £100 million by the end of 2025 to help find treatments that could slow or stop the build-up of disability for everyone with MS. The Queen Square MS Centre and MRC Clinical Trials Unit at University College London (UCL), where the first Octopus site is based, is the trial sponsor.
For more information about the trial and to register your interest in taking part, please visit www.ukmsregister.org/octopus.
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