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

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Item Type:	Article
Title:	Efficacy of glatiramer acetate in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a multicenter retrospective study
Creators Name:	Ayzenberg, I., Schöllhammer, J., Hoepner, R., Hellwig, K., Ringelstein, M., Aktas, O., Kümpfel, T., Krumbholz, M., Trebst, C., Paul, F., Pache, F., Obermann, M., Zeltner, L., Schwab, M., Berthele, A., Jarius, S. and Kleiter, I.
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.
Keywords:	Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder, Devic's Disease, Glatiramer Acetate, Aquaporin-4 Antibody, Optic Neuritis, Myelitis
Source:	Journal of Neurology
ISSN:	0340-5354
Publisher:	Springer
Volume:	263
Number:	3
Page Range:	575-582
Date:	March 2016
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-015-7991-1
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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