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Can CFS/ME Be Cured?Is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Curable?
Chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME) is a chronic condition, but curable in some cases. The future is likely to bring even better cures.
CFS/ME is a chronic condition in most cases. It is possible to get well spontaneously, but this is rare. Only a few per cent of patients get well, though children may have a better prognosis. That does not mean one should give up hope, but it is more realistic to get used to the idea of being ill for quite a while. There are "experts" claiming to be able to cure CFS/ME, just like some claim to be able to cure cancer, AIDS and other illnesses. It is tempting to fall for such claims - who wouldn't want to be healthy again! - but usually the treatments are expensive and there is no evidence to show they work. Antimicrobial DrugsCFS/ME often has an infectious origin. In some cases it may be caused by bacteria, such as mycoplasma or Chlamydia pneumoniae. There are reports that some people are completely cured by antibiotics, but this is unfortunately rare. Most cases are thought to be caused by viruses. Though they aren't as treatable as bacteria, antiviral drugs exist for some viruses. The herpes viruses that have been connected with CFS/ME, such as Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus and HHV-6 can be treated with drugs, such as aciclovir (Zovirax), valaciclovir (Valtrex), ganciclovir (Cytovene) and foscarnet (Foscavir). Preliminary results from Standford University have reported that many patients with CFS/ME with evidence of a herpes virus infection got better with valgancyclovir (Valcyte). Some have even remained healthy years after discontinuing treatment, which could be considered a cure. More studies are needed to demonstrate the effects of the therapy. Results like this definitely spring hope in patients. Unfortunately the antiherpes virals are extremely expensive - Valcyte costs thousands of dollars a month and insurance companies are unlikely to cover it. Also, some cases of CFS/ME are probably caused by enteroviruses, which are much more difficult to treat. Stem Cell TransplantsStem cell transplantation is a radical procedure which has been used to treat leukemia and some other cancers, and more recently also multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis and other autoimmune diseases in people with a severe, refractory form of the illness. It is not always effective, but many people are cured or at least achieve a long-lasting remission. The treatment starts with high dose chemotherapy (and sometimes radiation) to destroy all white blood cells in the body - destroying the immune system. After that the patient is given an infusion of stem cells. If the transplant takes as hoped, the donor's stem cells will grow into white blood cells. Thus, it is essentially an "immune system transplant". Because CFS/ME is thought to be an immune system illness, it might be helped by a stem cell transplant. Unfortunately this procedure is not only expensive, but also carries a mortality of 5-10%. Before the new white cells are produced, the body is essentially without any immune protection and highly vulnerable to infections. Sometimes the transplant doesn't take. It is unlikely that such a study for CFS/ME would get funding. And if CFS/ME is caused by a virus or bacteria, the results could be catastrophic. But people with CFS/ME may have to go through the procedure during cancer treatment, and eventually the results might get published in a medical journal. If it does work, it could at least inspire new treatments. FutureMedicine is developing at a fascinating speed. It is possible that in 15-20 years all current illnesses are curable. Already things like gene therapy can cure some illnesses that were considered incurable. Whatever causes CFS/ME, it will be solved, and sooner or later everyone is likely to get well. Luckily there are already good treatments, such as anticonvulsants and NMDA antagonists. They may not be cures, but often effectively alleviate symptoms. ReferencesNew therapy for chronic fatigue syndrome to be tested at Stanford Marmont AM. Will hematopoietic stem cell transplantation cure human autoimmune diseases? J Autoimmun. 2008 May;30(3):145-50.
The copyright of the article Can CFS/ME Be Cured? in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is owned by Maija Haavisto. Permission to republish Can CFS/ME Be Cured? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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