( rget=_blank href=http://www.abstrac...)Treatment with Copaxone Plus Minocycline Showed Substantial,Reduction of Disease Activity in Patients with Active,Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis,Health

Findings of this immunological analysis comparing patients who received either 3 months of induction treatment with mitoxantrone followed by COPAXONE(r) for 12 months or COPAXONE(r) alone for 15 months, was designed to determine whether the improved clinical and MRI outcomes reflect an enhanced capacity for COPAXONE(r)-mediated Th2 shift following immune suppression. Researchers serially measured patients' (n=21) serum for COPAXONE(r)-reactive antibodies (Total IgG: IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4) by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay). The relationship between IgG1 and IgG4 COPAXONE(r)-reactive antibodies has been determined to be a useful marker of COPAXONE(r)-mediated Th2 shift.

Researchers concluded that induction with mitoxantrone appears to partially reduce and/or delay the IgG1 to IgG4 switch characteristic of the Th2 shift. This information, coupled with MRI measures of disease activity suggest the enhanced efficacy of COPAXONE(r)-mitoxantrone over COPAXONE(r) alone is not due to an enhanced Th2-shift but rather reflects combined anti-inflammatory effects of COPAXONE(r) and mitoxantrone.

About COPAXONE(r)

COPAXONE(r) is indicated for the reduction of the frequency of relapses in RRMS. The most common side effects of COPAXONE(r) are redness, pain, swelling, itching, a lump or an indentation at the site of injection, weakness, infection, pain, nausea, joint pain, anxiety, and muscle stiffness.

COPAXONE(r) is now approved in 47 countries worldwide, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Israel, and all European countries. In Europe,
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