*Note* MS Drug Article-How Copaxone Works?

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http://www.msif.org/en/global_ms_network/ms_news/new_findings_on.html

Researchers have found a new explanation for the effects of Copaxone®

(glatiramer acetate, Teva Pharmaceuticals), a treatment approved for

relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Nitin J. Karandikar, MD, PhD (University of Texas Southwestern Medical

Center, Dallas), a Harry Weaver Neuroscience Scholar of the National

MS Society, and colleagues report their findings in the Journal of

Immunology (2006 Jun 1;176(11):7119-29).

Copaxone is a synthetic compound made up of four amino acids (the

building blocks of proteins) that are found in myelin. This drug is

thought to stimulate one type of T cell (called a CD4+ T cell) in the

body's immune system to change from pro-inflammatory agents that

attack the brain and spinal cord in MS, to beneficial agents that work

to reduce inflammation at sites of damage in the nervous system.

To read more, please click on the link below.

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Research-2006July20.asp :

Researchers have found a new explanation for the effects of Copaxone®

(glatiramer acetate, Teva Pharmaceuticals), a treatment approved for

relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Nitin J. Karandikar, MD, PhD

(University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas), a Harry

Weaver Neuroscience Scholar of the National MS Society, and colleagues

report their findings in the Journal of Immunology (2006 Jun

1;176(11):7119-29).

Copaxone is a synthetic compound made up of four amino acids (the

building blocks of proteins) that are found in myelin. This drug is

thought to stimulate one type of T cell (called a CD4+ T cell) in the

body's immune system to change from pro-inflammatory agents that

attack the brain and spinal cord in MS, to beneficial agents that work

to reduce inflammation at sites of damage in the nervous system. Dr.

Karandikar's team analyzed blood samples from seven people with MS

treated with Copaxone, and compared them with those from four persons

(with or without MS) who had never been treated with disease-modifying

therapies. They used novel " flow cytometry " technology, in which

samples are passed through a laser beam and analyzed by computer.

Dr. Karandikar and colleagues found that Copaxone therapy indeed

induced not only CD4+ T cell change, but also induced the response of

CD8+ T cells. CD8+ T cells have several functions in the immune

system. The results showed that Copaxone induced a form of CD8+ T

cells that are " regulatory " in nature. These " T reg " cells are

believed to play an important role in regulating inflammatory

activity. CD8+ T reg cells were deficient in people with MS who had

not been treated, and were significantly increased in those treated

with Copaxone.

This study was conducted in a small group of people, the authors note,

and was not meant to determine the clinical relevance of these

findings. If confirmed in larger, clinical studies, however, this

insight into the mechanism of Copaxone may help to develop better

strategies for maximizing its beneficial effects.

-- Research & Clinical Programs Department