title: Recent insights into the mechanism of action of glatiramer acetate.
abstract: Glatiramer acetate (GA, Copaxone®, co-polymer 1) is an immunomodulatory therapy approved in 1996 by the United States Food and Drug Administration for treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. GA has a good safety profile, moderate efficacy, and a unique mode of action. Recent evidence in an animal model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), suggests that GA effects on NK cells and B cells may contribute to therapeutic efficacy. We review the mechanism of action of GA, with particular focus on recent data suggesting a role for regulatory B cells.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, 350 West Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA. mrinalini.kala@chw.edu
authors.forename: Mrinalini
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kala
authors.forename: Augusto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miravalle
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vollmer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010455:Peptides; D000068717:Glatiramer Acetate