title: Combination therapy with glatiramer acetate (copolymer-1) and a type I interferon (IFN-alpha) does not improve experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
abstract: We sought to determine whether combinations of glatiramer acetate and parenteral or ingested type I interferon were synergistic in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Glatiramer acetate, subcutaneous murine interferon-alpha, or ingested murine interferon-alpha individually improved clinical scores. In contrast, glatiramer acetate in conjunction with either subcutaneous or ingested interferon-alpha did not improve clinical scores compared with control. These data suggest that clinical trials designed to test a possible synergistic effect of glatiramer acetate and type I interferon in humans should be designed to detect possible adverse effects of this combination of immunomodulatory agents.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Research Group, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston 77225, USA.
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Brod
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lindsey
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wolinsky
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051379:Mice; D010455:Peptides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007370:Interferon Type I; D010455:Peptides; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate