Copaxone PPMS Treatment

[wellohok]

Hello

Was wondering if copaxone would be useful for PPMS

Heard several stories on internet and also research that claims it helps

Neurologist has never mentioned it as possibility would it be worth it considering the low side effects?

Thank you very much

W

[goblue]

Hello

Was wondering if copaxone would be useful for PPMS

Heard several stories on internet and also research that claims it helps

Neurologist has never mentioned it as possibility would it be worth it considering the low side effects?

Thank you very much

W

None of the current dmd's have shown to be effective, nor recommended for ppms.

[Seasha]

Welcome wellohok!

I'm curious about the research you read claiming that Copaxone is effective for PPMS. From what I've read, I'm not sure these claims are accurate.

Here's an article I found - http://www.makingsenseofmsresearch.o...eople-with-ms/

From the NIH - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2654627/ The article is long but scroll down to Glatiramer acetate in primary progressive MS


And this from the NMSS -
"The disease-modifying medications we currently have available (Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone, Novantrone, Rebif, and Tysabri) primarily target inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS). They have all been shown to reduce the number of acute relapses (also called attacks or exacerbations) and number of new lesions (also called plaques) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. PPMS involves much less inflammation and more gradual destruction and loss of nerve fibers. As a result, people with PPMS tend to have fewer brain lesions (also called plaques) than people with relapsing MS, and the lesions tend to contain fewer inflammatory cells. The available disease-modifying medications are not effective in slowing the neural damage that occurs in PPMS."

Could you possibly mean PRMS? (progressive relapsing MS) If so, this article shows promise for this form of MS as there are still relapses and remissions in PRMS http://www.mymsaa.org/publications/m...2013/copaxone/

Glad you're here and asking questions!

[wellohok]

Thank you for replying.

The survey, [I]Chronic-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Amid Substantial Unmet Need, What Magnitude of Efficacy and Safety Do Neurologists and Payers Expect of a First-To-Market Therapy for Primary-Progressive Multiple Sclerosis?, which was conducted by Decision Resources Group (DRG) using a proprietary conjoint analysis tool,[I] revealed that, among hypothetical therapies assessed in the study, neurologists are clearly calling for new therapeutic alternatives to Teva’s Copaxone. While Copaxone is often used by doctors as a therapy for Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS), the neurologists implied in their responses that they would trade the safety of Copaxone for a new drug that features improved efficacy in treating the disease progression, even if there are increased life-threatening health risks associated with a new drug.

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[wellohok]

http://www.msworld.org/forum/showthr...54#post1246254

[Kimba22]

Welcome to MSWorld, wellohok! Something to always remember is your source of information. Reputable sources include universities, medical journals, MS Societies, government sites, like the FDA or PubMed, or WebMD.

The quote from the first link you provided (unable to access unless you become a registered member) states: "While Copaxone is often used by doctors as a therapy for Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS)" This is incorrect information and should say Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS).

Years ago, my MS Specialist (who is heavily involved with Copaxone research) told me there was some indication it could be effective for Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (SPMS). As of yet, this hasn't been proven in clinical trials. It may still be prescribed for people with secondary progressive MS who are still experiencing relapses, and where these relapses are the predominant cause of their increasing disability. http://www.mssociety.org.uk/what-is-...iramer-acetate "Glatiramer significantly reduces the frequency of relapses in those who have relapsing-remitting MS. It also slows the number of new lesions (tissue damage) as seen on MRI and decreases disability. Glatiramer has not been shown to be effective for people who have secondary progressive MS. Also, the medicine is not helpful for people who have primary progressive MS." http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclero...iple-sclerosis

The second link you provided was an entertainment, social networking, and news website where registered community members can submit content, such as text posts or direct links. It would not be considered a reputable source of information, and the link provided wmas the opinion of random members. (Guideline 6 at MSWorld: http://www.msworld.org/more/guidelines/#urls)

Same goes for the 3rd link you provided from MSWorld. Please refer to guideline 14 :http://www.msworld.org/more/guidelines/#disclaimer. This was only a comment made by a member, who provided no medical evidence to substantiate such a claim. "I was getting steroid infusions for a few years but they started to be less effective. Three years ago my neuro told me that Copaxone was shown to help with some PPMS patients that have inflamed lesions viewed in a MRI." Furthermore, inflammatory lesions on an MRI indicates someone has RRMS or PRMS, not PPMS. The fact that steroid infusions also helped at one time indicate RRMS (or PRMS). It's probable this person had transitioned to SPMS.

Hope these explanations help. Take care ,