RealTalk MS

Our coverage of MSToronto 2026 continues this week with two important conversations. First, we'll hear from Dr. Jeffrey Cohen about the latest clinical findings on CAR-T cell therapy as a potential treatment for MS. Then, Dr. Robert Fox will update us on the global research portfolio being driven by the International Progressive MS Alliance.





 


And we have to talk about Christina Applegate. By now, the news of her misdiagnosis isn't really news. But we have some suggestions for how you might want to process that news.
We have a lot to talk about. Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week:  MSToronto 2026  :22
But, first, we have to talk about Christina Applegate  :46
Dr. Jeffrey Cohen discusses what the experts are learning about  CAR-T cell therapy   6:51
Dr. Robert Fox shares an update on the global work being driven by the International Progressive MS Alliance  19:03
Share this episode  34:21
Have you downloaded the RealTalk MS app?  34:40
Next week  35:25

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS
Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/480
ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION
I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!
Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283
And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS
If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at www.RealTalkMS.com
DOWNLOAD: The RealTalk MS App
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id6769516594
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.realtalkms.app&pcampaignid=web_share
PARTICIPATE: Phase 3 Clinical Trial for Orelabrutinib and Non-Active Secondary Progressive MS
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07299019

PARTICIPATE: Phase 3 Clinical Trial for Orelabrutinib and Primary Progressive MS
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07067463
LISTEN: RealTalk MS Episode 424: I'm a Participant in a Clinical Trial for CAR T-Cell Therapy and MS with Jan Janisch-Hanzlik
https://realtalkms.com/424
JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group
https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms
REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review
http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on X, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.
RealTalk MS Episode 480
Guests: Dr. Jeffrey Cohen and Dr. Robert Fox
Privacy Policy

Last week, about 8,000 MS researchers and clinicians arrived in Toronto, Canada, for MSToronto 2026, the joint meeting of the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in MS and the European Committee for Treatment and Research in MS, and the largest MS research conference in the world. 






 


As the meeting adjourned, the National MS Society's Chief Research and Medical Affairs Officer, Dr. Bruce Bebo, joined me to share some of the presentations and announcements that he found particularly important.
My RealTalk MS teammate, Kristine Werner Ozug, also joined me in Toronto. Drawing on her own journey with MS, Kristine brings invaluable personal insight to the table. This week, Kristine shares the research and critical conversations that she's taking away from MS Toronto 2026.
We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week:  MSToronto 2026  :22
Dr. Bruce Bebo shares the presentations and announcements that he found particularly important at MS Toronto 2026  1:11
Kristine Werner Ozug shares her take-aways from MS Toronto 2026  13:54
Share this episode  43:37
Have you downloaded the RealTalk MS app?  43:57
Next Week: More from MS Toronto 2026!  44:43

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS
Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/479
ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION
I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!
Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283
And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS
If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at www.RealTalkMS.com
DOWNLOAD: The RealTalk MS App
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id6769516594
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.realtalkms.app&pcampaignid=web_share
WATCH: National MS Society Webinar -- MS Advocacy in Action: What the 2026 Elections Could Mean for Healthcare Policy and Access to Care
https://youtube.com/watch?v=7AHyGKuRxvw
VISIT: The Congressional Health Care Access Report Card
https:/realtalkms.com/congressional-healthcare-access-report-card/

JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group
https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms
REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review
http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on X, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.
RealTalk MS Episode 479
Guest: Dr. Bruce Bebo and Kristine Werner Ozug
Privacy Policy

Welcome to a special episode of RealTalk MS and The ECTRIMS Podcast! MS Toronto 2026 concluded with the event we were most looking forward to -- Patient Community Day -- where some of the top MS experts in the world broke down the research presented over the course of the 3-day meeting and answered questions from people living with MS in easy-to-understand English. 





  


In this special episode, Professor Peter Feys, an MS rehabilitation expert from Hasselt University in Belgium, and Karen Jacoby, who lives with MS and serves as an MSCanada Ambassador, stepped off the stage at Patient Community Day to share their perspectives on MSToronto 2026.
We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week:  MSToronto 2026 Patient Community Day  :25
Just after stepping off stage at Patient Community Day, Professor Peter Feys and Karen Jacoby share their thoughts on MSToronto 2026  1:21
Share this episode  19:57
Have you downloaded the RealTalk MS app?  20:17
Don't miss Thursday's Special Episode!  20:59

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS
Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/478
ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION
I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!
Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283
And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS
If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at www.RealTalkMS.com
DOWNLOAD: The RealTalk MS App
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id6769516594
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.realtalkms.app&pcampaignid=web_share
WATCH: National MS Society Webinar -- MS Advocacy in Action: What the 2026 Elections Could Mean for Healthcare Policy and Access to Care
https://youtube.com/watch?v=7AHyGKuRxvw
VISIT: The Congressional Health Care Access Report Card
https:/realtalkms.com/congressional-healthcare-access-report-card/

JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group
https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms
REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review
http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on X, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.
RealTalk MS Episode 478
Guest: Professor Peter Feys and Karen Jacoby
Privacy Policy

Jan Janisch-Hanzlik was the first MS patient to receive CAR T-cell therapy as part of a clinical trial. We met Jan last year, in episode 424 of RealTalk MS, when she gave us a first-hand report on how she was responding to this treatment.








  



This week, Jan is back with an update on how she's responding to CAR T-cell therapy one year later.
We're just two weeks away from the U.S. midterm elections. We're sharing some resources that will help you get ready to vote.
And we'll remind you that MSToronto 2026 begins tomorrow, and you still have time to register for Patient Community Day.
We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week:  An update one year after receiving CAR T-cell therapy  :22
Some homework to help get you ready to vote in the U.S. midterm elections   2:44
Jan Janisch-Hanzlik shares an update one year after receiving CAR T-cell therapy to treat her MS   6:37
Share this episode  28:11
Have you downloaded the RealTalk MS app?  28:31
Next week  29:12

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS
Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/477
ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION
I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!
Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283
And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS
If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at www.RealTalkMS.com
DOWNLOAD: The RealTalk MS App
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id6769516594
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.realtalkms.app&pcampaignid=web_share
REGISTER: ECTRIMS Patient Community Day 2026
https://ectrimspatientcommunity.eu

WATCH: National MS Society Webinar -- MS Advocacy in Action: What the 2026 Elections Could Mean for Healthcare Policy and Access to Care
https://youtube.com/watch?v=7AHyGKuRxvw
VISIT: The Congressional Health Care Access Report Card
https:/realtalkms.com/congressional-healthcare-access-report-card/

LISTEN: RealTalk MS Episode 424: I'm a Participant in a Clinical Trial for CAR T-Cell Therapy and MS with Jan Janisch-Hanzlik
https://realtalkms.com/424
JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group
https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms
REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review
http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on X, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.
RealTalk MS Episode 477
Guest: Jan Janisch-Hanzlik
Privacy Policy

What happens when you're diagnosed with a chronic, unpredictable condition just as your career is taking off? That's exactly what happened to my guest, Dana Foote.  



This week, Dana joins us to share her journey from hiding her MS diagnosis as a young auditor at one of the largest accounting organizations in the world to becoming National Managing Partner for Audit & Assurance Operations and a leader in the MS community.
We'll also update you on the status of a disease-modifying therapy that has been submitted to the FDA for review as a potential treatment for relapsing MS and primary progressive MS.
We're sharing details of the National MS Society's recent $8.9 million investment to support 15 cutting-edge research projects.
We'll tell you about a study that shows physical therapy can produce confirmed disability improvement for people living with MS.
And we'll remind you that with MSToronto 2026 just one week away, you can still register for Patient Community Day.
We have a lot to talk about! Are you ready for RealTalk MS??!

This Week:  Managing MS in a demanding, high-stakes work environment  :22
The FDA grants fenebrutinib Priority Review status   1:22
The National MS Society announced $8.9 million in new research investments   4:53
A study shows ongoing physical therapy can lead to confirmed disability improvement   9:12
We're one week away from MSToronto 2026. Will you be part of Patient Community Day?  13:40
Dana Foote shares her corporate journey from a young auditor diagnosed with MS to National Managing Partner for Audit & Assurance Operations at KPMG US   15:40
Share this episode  33:20
Have you downloaded the RealTalk MS app?  33:36
Next week  34:21

SHARE THIS EPISODE OF REALTALK MS
Just copy this link & paste it into your text or email: https://realtalkms.com/476
ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE CONVERSATION
I've always thought about the RealTalk MS podcast as a conversation. And this is your opportunity to join the conversation by sharing your feedback, questions, and suggestions for topics that we can discuss in future podcast episodes. Please shoot me an email or call the RealTalk MS Listener Hotline and share your thoughts!
Email: jon@realtalkms.com
Phone: (310) 526-2283
And don't forget to join us in the RealTalk MS Facebook group!

LINKS
If your podcast app doesn't allow you to click on these links, you'll find them in the show notes at www.RealTalkMS.com
DOWNLOAD: The RealTalk MS App
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/realtalk-ms/id6769516594
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.realtalkms.app&pcampaignid=web_share
REGISTER: ECTRIMS Patient Community Day 2026
https://ectrimspatientcommunity.eu

RealTalk MS Episode 461: A New Disease-Modifying Therapy Has Been Submitted for FDA Approval with Dr. Jiwon Oh
https://realtalkms.com/461
STUDY: Physiotherapy and Confirmed Disability Improvement in People with Multiple Sclerosis
https://msard-journal.com/article/S2211-0348(26)00949-1/fulltext
JOIN: The RealTalk MS Facebook Group
https://facebook.com/groups/realtalkms
REVIEW: Give RealTalk MS a rating and review
http://www.realtalkms.com/review

Follow RealTalk MS on X, @RealTalkMS_jon, and subscribe to our newsletter at our website, RealTalkMS.com.
RealTalk MS Episode 476
Guest: Dana Foote
Privacy Policy