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01-03-2016 | Original Communication

Efficacy of glatiramer acetate in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a multicenter retrospective study

Authors: Ilya Ayzenberg, Joanna Schöllhammer, Robert Hoepner, Kerstin Hellwig, Marius Ringelstein, Orhan Aktas, Tania Kümpfel, Markus Krumbholz, Corinna Trebst, Friedemann Paul, Florence Pache, Mark Obermann, Lena Zeltner, Matthias Schwab, Achim Berthele, Sven Jarius, Ingo Kleiter, Neuromyelitis Optica Study Group (NEMOS)

Published in: Journal of Neurology | Issue 3/2016

Abstract

Glatiramer acetate (GA) is an approved therapy for relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis, but its efficacy for the prevention of attacks in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) remains unknown. We did a multicenter retrospective analysis of GA-treated patients with NMOSD, identified through a national registry. Annualized relapse rate and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) were the main outcome measures. We identified 23 GA-treated patients (21 female, 16 aquaporin-4 antibody-positive). GA was given for <6 months in seven patients; reasons for stopping were relapses (n = 3), confirmation of NMOSD (n = 2) and side effects (n = 2). Of 16 patients treated ≥6 months with GA (15 female, 11 aquaporin-4 antibody-positive), 14 experienced at least one relapse. There was no reduction in the mean annualized relapse rate in the total group (1.9 ± 1.1 before vs. 1.8 ± 1.4 during GA therapy), as well as in those patients who were aquaporin-4 antibody-positive, or had a history of prior immunotherapy or not. The median EDSS increased (2.5 start vs. 3.5 finish of GA, P < 0.05). GA therapy was discontinued in 15/16 patients; reasons were therapeutic inefficacy in 13 and post-injection skin reactions in two patients. We conclude that GA is not beneficial for preventing attacks in most patients with NMOSD, particularly in aquaporin-4 antibody-positive cases.

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Title: Efficacy of glatiramer acetate in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Ilya Ayzenberg
Joanna Schöllhammer
Robert Hoepner
Kerstin Hellwig
Marius Ringelstein
Orhan Aktas
Tania Kümpfel
Markus Krumbholz
Corinna Trebst
Friedemann Paul
Florence Pache
Mark Obermann
Lena Zeltner
Matthias Schwab
Achim Berthele
Sven Jarius
Ingo Kleiter
Neuromyelitis Optica Study Group (NEMOS)
Publication date: 01-03-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Journal of Neurology / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 0340-5354
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1459
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-015-7991-1

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Efficacy of glatiramer acetate in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a multicenter retrospective study

Abstract

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Abstract

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