Management of relapsing/remitting multiple sclerosis with copolymer 1 (Copaxone).
Copolymer I (Copazone) was evaluated in a multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial at 11 universities. Two hundred and fifty-one relapsing-remitting ambulatory MS patients were randomized to receive 20 mg of copolymer I or placebo by daily subcutaneous injection for approximately 30 months. At conclusion, the copolymer I group had 32% fewer relapses (P = 0.002) and significantly more were relapse-free (P = 0.035). Significantly, more patients were receiving copolymer I had improved during the study, while more patients on placebo showed neurological decline (P = 0.001). There were few side effects and no drug related laboratory abnormalities. Copolymer I is being considered by North American and European regulatory agencies for approval as commercially available agent for the control of multiple sclerosis.
Johnson
K P
KP
Department of Neurology, University of Maryland Hospital, Baltimore 21201, USA.
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010455:Peptides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D012074:Remission Induction
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D010455:Peptides; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate