A two-year study conducted at Wayne State University/Detroit Medical Center and 10 other sites nationwide, concluded that the drug Copaxone is not only beneficial for patients with multiple sclerosis, but it retains its efficacy for more than three years.
Robert Lisak, MD, professor and chair of neurology, was an author on the study which was published earlier this year in the journal Neurology. "The extended study shows that the positive effects are long-lasting and the patients have less disability," said Dr. Lisak.
Until a cure is found, the principle goal of therapy for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis is to reduce the number of relapses. Clinical trials have shown that Copaxone is successful in this area--and although the drug requires daily self-injections, it has the least side effects. Copaxone is not associated with depression, fatigue or other flu-like symptoms experienced with other comparable drugs.
While the mechanisms of Copaxone are unknown, it is thought to modify immune processes associated with multiple sclerosis. Unlike interferon therapy, this drug has shown no evidence of neutralizing antibodies that may reduce its effectiveness.
"This is truly an exciting time in multiple sclerosis research," said Dr. Lisak. "Almost every month we learn something new that helps us understand the disease and makes us better able to treat patients with the disease."
Copaxone provides relief for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.