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Allied Journal of Medical Research
|
Volume 2
Page 47
allied
academies
CANCER THERAPY AND ONCOLOGY
NEUROLOGY AND BRAIN DISORDERS
&
International Conference on
International Conference on
J u n e 2 1 - 2 2 , 2 0 1 8 | O s a k a , J a p a n
Joint Event on
THE STORY OF GLATIRAMER ACETATE (COPAXONE) IN THE
TREATMENT OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS - THE POTENTIAL FOR
NEUROPROTECTION BY IMMUNOMODULATORY TREATMENT
Rina Aharoni
The Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel
M
ultiple sclerosis (MS) is currently recognized as complex diseases in which inflammatory autoimmune reactivity in the
central nervous system (CNS) results in demyelination, axonal and neuronal pathology. Treatment strategies thus aim
to reduce the detrimental inflammation and induce neuroprotective repair processes.The synthetic copolymer Copaxone
(glatiramer acetate, GA), an approved drug for the treatment of MS, is the first and so far the only therapeutic agent to have
a copolymer as its active ingredient. Using the animal model of MS - experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE),
the mechanism of action of GA was elucidated. These studies indicated that GA treatment generates immunomodulatory
shift from the inflammatory towards the anti-inflammatory pathways, such as Th2-cells that cross the blood brain barrier
(BBB) and secrete
in situ
anti-inflammatory cytokines, as well as T-regulatory cells (Tregs) that suppress the disease.
The consequences of GA treatment on the CNS injury inflicted by the disease were studied using immunohistochemistry,
electron microscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging. These analyses revealed reduced demyelination and neuro-
axonal damages, as well as neuroprotective repair processes such as neurotrophic factors secretion, remyelination and
neurogenesis.These combined findings indicate that immunomodulatory treatment can counteract the neurodegenerative
disease course, supporting linkage between immunomodulation, neuroprotection and therapeutic activity in the CNS.
rina.aharoni@weizmann.ac.ilAllied J Med Res 2018, Volume 2