Humoral and cellular immune responses to Copolymer 1 in multiple sclerosispatients treated with Copaxone (R)

Humoral and cellular immune responses were followed in multiple sclerosis p atients treated with Copolymer 1 (Cop1, glatiramer acetate, Copaxone(R)) wh o participated in three different clinical trials. All patients (130) devel oped Cop1 reactive antibodies, which peaked at 3 months after initiation of treatment, decreasing at 6 months and remaining low. IgG1 antibody levels were 2-3-fold higher than those of IgG2. The proliferative response of Peri pheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) to Cop1 was initially high and gradua lly decreased during treatment. Antibodies and T cell responses to MBP were low and did not change significantly during the treatment. The humoral and cellular immunological responses to Cop1 do not correlate with the side ef fects and do not affect its therapeutic activity. The preferential producti on of IgG1 over IgG2 antibodies may indicate that Th2 responses are involve d in mediating the clinical effect of Cop1. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.