title: HLA-DRB1*1501 and response to copolymer-1 therapy in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Copolymer 1 (Cop-1) is a random synthetic amino acid copolymer, effective in the treatment of the relapsing-remitting form of MS (RRMS). In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that the mechanism of Cop-1 involves its binding to major histocompatibility complex class II molecules as an initial step.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess a possible relationship between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and response to Cop-1 therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-three patients with RRMS, 44 treated with Cop-1 and 39 with interferon beta-1a (IFNbeta-1a) for 2 years, were typed by molecular methods for HLA class II genes and subgrouped according to clinical outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data have shown a possible positive correlation between presence of DRB1*1501 and response to Cop-1 therapy (p = 0.008). No relationship between HLA alleles and therapy has been found in IFNbeta-1a treated patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that DRB1*1501 might be relevant for the clinical outcome in Cop-1 treated patients and, if confirmed in larger studies, it could be helpful in the selection of RRMS patients for different therapeutic options.
authors.affiliation: Servizio Immunoematologia e Trasfusione, Università Fedrico II, Napoli, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fusco
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Andreone
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coppola
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Luongo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guerini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pace
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Florio
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pirozzi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lanzillo
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ferrante
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vivo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Macrì
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Orefice
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lombardi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D005260:Female; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics*; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D006801:Humans; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D018579:Patient Selection; D010455:Peptides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D059811:HLA-DRB1 Chains; D010455:Peptides; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D016899:Interferon-beta; D000068556:Interferon beta-1a