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Glatiramer acetate in treatment‐naïve and prior interferon‐ β ‐1b‐treated multiple sclerosis patients *
Author(s) -
Zwibel H. L.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2006.00627.x
Subject(s) - glatiramer acetate , tolerability , medicine , multiple sclerosis , expanded disability status scale , interferon beta 1a , interferon beta 1b , interferon beta , natalizumab , adverse effect , surgery , gastroenterology , immunology
Objective – This prospective, open‐label study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of glatiramer acetate (GA) in treatment‐naïve relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients and in patients who had previously received interferon‐ β (IFN‐ β )‐1b therapy. Methods – Two treatment cohorts were defined based on prestudy IFN‐ β ‐1b use. At entry, prior IFN‐ β ‐1b patients ( n = 247) were older, had longer disease duration, and had higher mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores, relapse rates, and ambulation indexes than treatment‐naïve patients ( n = 558). Safety was assessed every 3 months and EDSS every 6 months for up to 3.5 years. Results – Overall, 247 treatment‐naïve and 107 prior IFN‐ β ‐1b patients discontinued before study end. Median GA treatment durations were 36 and 24 months in treatment‐naïve and prior IFN‐ β ‐1b patients, respectively. At last observation, annual relapse rates had declined by 75% in both cohorts (0.42 ± 0.84 and 0.34 ± 0.71 in treatment‐naïve and prior IFN‐ β ‐1b groups, respectively, P = 0.1482). Mean changes in EDSS were less than 0.5 in both cohorts, regardless of entry EDSS, at 12 and 18 months and at last observation. Conclusions – Prior IFN‐ β ‐1b treatment does not negatively influence the efficacy, safety, or tolerability of subsequent GA therapy. Switching to GA can benefit patients who discontinue IFN‐ β therapy.