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A Method of Trigonometric Modelling of Seasonal Variation Demonstrated with Multiple Sclerosis Relapse Data
Published on: December 9, 2015
Three times weekly glatiramer acetate in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis
Omar Khan1, Peter Rieckmann, Alexey Boyko
1Department of Neurology and Multiple Sclerosis Center, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA. okhan@med.wayne.edu
Annals of Neurology
|May 21, 2013
Summary
Glatiramer acetate (GA) 40mg administered three times weekly significantly reduced relapses and new MS lesions in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. This effective treatment offers a convenient dosing schedule for managing RRMS.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Clinical Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system.
- Current treatments aim to reduce disease activity and disability progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of glatiramer acetate (GA) 40mg administered subcutaneously three times weekly (tiw) in RRMS patients.
- To compare GA 40mg tiw against a placebo over a 12-month treatment period.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 1,404 RRMS patients across 17 countries.
- Patients received either GA 40mg tiw or placebo, with eligibility criteria including at least one relapse in the prior 12 months or two in 24 months, and an Expanded Disability Status Scale score ≤ 5.5.
Main Results:
- GA 40mg tiw demonstrated a 34.0% reduction in the risk of confirmed relapses compared to placebo (annualized relapse rate: 0.331 vs 0.505, p < 0.0001).
- Significant reductions were observed in cumulative gadolinium-enhancing T1 lesions (44.8%) and new/enlarging T2 lesions (34.7%) at 12 months (p < 0.0001).
- GA 40mg tiw was safe and well-tolerated, with injection site reactions being the most common adverse event.
Conclusions:
- Glatiramer acetate 40mg administered subcutaneously three times weekly is a safe and effective treatment for RRMS.
- The regimen offers improved convenience due to a reduced injection frequency compared to daily administration.
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