HOT off the ECTRIMS Press: Copaxone after CIS delays MS onset

The study reached both its primary and secondary clinical and MRI endpoints, all of which were significantly positive. Earlier initiation of treatment with Copaxone significantly slowed the [...]

• Caroline says: Most of the CRABS have now been approved to treat a CIS (clinically isolated syndrome). The data are compelling that early initiation after a first incidence of possible MS can delay disease onset.
   

• Related Links:
• http://www.marketwatch.com/story/early-initiation-of-treatment-with-copaxone-r-p…

• Asthma drug albuterol improves MS when added to Copaxone

  The asthma drug albuterol can ease the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and delay relapses when added to conventional treatments, but the effects apparently wear off after a [...]

  • Caroline says: MS is associated with abnormal activity of an immune system chemical, or cytokine, called interleukin-12 (IL-12). IL-12 promotes production of white blood cells that attack myelin fibers. Albuterol is known to suppress the activity of IL-12, so researchers guessed it might help in MS. According to this study, however, the effects last for only a year.
     
  • Related Links:
  • http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-multiple-sclerosis-20100913,0,…
  
  

  • Newly Published Data Show Copaxone Promoted Remyelination of Damaged Axons

    The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of glatiramer acetate on oligodendrogenesis (the formation of myelin-producing glial cells in the central nervous system) and [...]

    
    

    • Copaxone Used for First-Episode/CIS Halves MS Risk

      PARIS — Early treatment with a key drug to fight multiple sclerosis (MS) nearly halves the risk of progression to the full-blown disease, according to a study [...]

      • Caroline says: Copaxone was studied in first-episode/clinically isolated syndrome "CIS"/possible MS patients and it was found to reduce the risk of clinically definite MS by 45%. That's serious.
         
      
      

      • Hot off the ECTRIMS Press…Fewer Injection Site Reactions with Avonex

        CAMBRIDGE, MA – Sept. 11, 2009 – Data from an observational phase IV study of 499 patients entitled The Swiss MS Skin Project show that multiple sclerosis [...]

        • Caroline says: I think it is important to note that injection site reactions are different than side effects (see my side effect post here)...so, this study makes sense since Avonex is a once-weekly injection and the other injectables are administered more frequently -- and thus are more likely to cause site reactions.
           
        
        

        • NIH Deepens Investment In Avonex and Copaxone Combination Study

          Article Date: 22 Jul 2009 – 4:00 PDT The first large-scale “CombiRX” clinical trial testing the combined use of FDA-approved interferon beta-1a (Avonex®) and glatiramer acetate (Copaxone®) [...]

          • Caroline says: This is the largest MS trial ever supported by NIH. Cumulative investment is $44 million. Nice work, NIH. In the trial, combination therapy (Avonex and Copaxone) is being compared to the use of either agent alone for 36 months. All participants are receiving at least one active medication and there is not a placebo-only treatment arm.
             
          
          

          • Hot off the AAN Press: Study Suggests Copaxone has Protective Effects

            Long-Term Study with COPAXONE® Indicated Protective Effect on Brain Tissue in Multiple Sclerosis Patients – New Data Presented at 61st Annual Meeting of the American Academy of [...]

            • Caroline says: Data from a 6-year study suggests that Copaxone may have neuroprotective effect in RRMS. It was the largest and longest study of its kind to date.
               
            
            

            • Copaxone FDA approved for First Episode (CIS, for you seasoned readers)

              COPAXONE(R) Approved By The FDA For Patients With A First Clinical Event Suggestive Of Multiple Sclerosis Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NASDAQ: TEVA), today announced that the U.S. [...]

              • Caroline says: Copaxone has been FDA approved to treat a first clinical event suggestive of MS. Avonex and Betaseron already have this approval and Rebif is doing a study to get it. Interesting, and could definitely change the lives of many people with a first event. It will be interesting to see how many patients are actually prescribed one of these after a first event-- it might be harder to inject yourself for a "possible" diagnosis. But this does mean that insurance will need to cover these, which is important.