Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: A Multi-Center, Double-Blind, Randomized Study Comparing the Combined Use of Interferon Beta-1a and Glatiramer Acetate to Either Agent Alone in Patients With Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (CombiRx)
Brief Summary: This is for a randomized clinical trial (RCT) to determine if the combined use of interferon beta-1a (IFN) and glatiramer acetate (GA) is a measurably better therapy than either agent used individually in patients with relapsing-remitting (RR) multiple sclerosis (MS).


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

* Male and female patients between ages 18-55 with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS)
* Patients with a relapsing-remitting disease course
* Patients with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 0-5.5

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients with other chronic disease of the immune system, malignancies, acute pulmonary disease, cardiac failure, etc
* Pregnant or nursing women
* Patients who cannot tolerate treatment with an interferon

Other protocol-defined inclusion/exclusion criteria applied to the study.
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Male and female subjects between the ages of 18 and 60 years, inclusive.
* Diagnosis of relapsing-remitting MS by either the Poser or McDonald criteria.
* Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score between 0 and 5.5, inclusive.
* At least 2 exacerbations in the prior three years; one exacerbation may utilize the McDonald MRI criteria for dissemination in time (a new gadolinium \[Gd\]-enhancing lesion demonstrated on a scan done at least 3 months following onset of a clinical attack or a new T2 lesion or Gd-enhancing lesion on a follow-up scan after an additional 3 months).
* Give written informed consent prior to any testing under this protocol, including screening tests and evaluations that are not considered part of the subject's routine care.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any prior use of interferon beta or glatiramer acetate.
* Acute exacerbation within 30 days of screening.
* Steroids for acute exacerbations (\>100 mg/day) within 30 days of study entrance or chronic systemic steroid use.
* Evidence of progressive MS.
* Use IVIg, azathioprine, methotrexate, cyclosporine, mitoxantrone, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate (CellCept) or plasma exchange in the twelve weeks prior to study drug dosing.
* Any previous treatment with natalizumab (Tysabri, Antegren), cladribine, T cell vaccine, Campath, daclizumab, rituximab, altered peptide ligand or total lymphoid irradiation.
* Treatment with 4 aminopyridines in the four weeks prior to study drug dosing.
* Prior treatment with any other investigational drug, unless approved by the Clinical Coordinating Center (Dr. Lublin).
* Inability to perform the baseline MSFC (timed 25-foot walk, 9-hole peg test \[9HPT\], and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test 3 \[PASAT3\]).
* Inability to undergo baseline MRI scan.
* History of any significant cardiac, hepatic, pulmonary, or renal disease, immune deficiency, or other medical conditions that would preclude therapy with interferon beta, glatiramer acetate, or participation in this study.
* Known history of sensitivity to gadopentetate dimeglumine or mannitol.
* History of a seizure within the 3 months prior to randomization.
* History of suicidal ideation or an episode of severe depression within the 3 months prior to randomization.
* Abnormal screening blood tests exceeding any of the limits defined below:

  * Alanine transaminase (ALT) or aspartate transaminase (AST) greater than two times the upper limit of normal (i.e., \>2 × ULN)
  * Total white blood cell count \<2,300/mm3
  * Platelet count \<80,000/mm3
  * Creatinine \>2 × ULN
* Participation in another experimental clinical trial, without formal approval.
* History of alcohol or drug abuse within the 2 years prior to randomization.
* Female subjects who are currently pregnant, breast-feeding, or plan to become pregnant.
* For female subjects, unless postmenopausal or surgically sterile, unwillingness to practice effective contraception, as defined by the investigator, during the study. The rhythm method is not to be used as the sole method of contraception.
* Unwillingness or inability to comply with the requirements of this protocol including the presence of any condition that is likely to affect the subject's returning for scheduled follow-up visits on schedule (any physical, mental, or social condition).
C: Inclusion Criteria:

- Diagnosis of RMS (as per McDonald criteria, 2005) Other protocol-defined inclusion criteria could apply.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Have primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS)
* Have secondary progressive MS without superimposed relapses
* Relevant cardiac, hepatic and renal diseases as specified in the protocol
* Pretreatment with immunosuppressants and immunomodulating drugs as specified in the protocol
* Clinical significant abnormalities in blood cell counts and immunoglobulin levels as specified in the protocol
* Clinical significant acute or chronic infections as specified in the protocol Other protocol-defined exclusion criteria could apply.
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* Given written/signed informed consent
* Age 18 to 50 years old (inclusive) as of the date the informed consent form (ICF) was signed
* Diagnosis of MS per updated McDonald criteria, and cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan demonstrating white matter lesions attributable to MS within 5 years of screening
* Onset of MS symptoms (as determined by a neurologist, either at screening or retrospectively) within 5 years of the date the ICF was signed
* Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score 0.0 to 3.0 (inclusive) at screening
* Greater than or equal to (\>=) 2 MS attacks (first episode or relapse) occurring in the 24 months prior to the date the ICF was signed, with \>=1 attack in the 12 months prior to the date the ICF was signed, with objective neurological signs confirmed by a physician, nurse practitioner, or other Genzyme-approved health-care provider and the objective signs could be identified retrospectively

Exclusion Criteria:

* Received prior therapy for MS other than corticosteroids, for example, alemtuzumab, interferons, intravenous immunoglobulin, glatiramer acetate, natalizumab, and mitoxantrone
* Exposure to azathioprine, cladribine, cyclophosphamide, cyclosporine A, methotrexate, or any other immunosuppressive agent other than systemic corticosteroid treatment
* Any progressive form of MS
* History of malignancy (except basal skin cell carcinoma)
* CD4 + , CD8 + count, B cell, or absolute neutrophil count less than (\<) lower limit of normal (LLN) at screening
* Known bleeding disorder (for example, dysfibrinogenemia, factor IX deficiency, hemophilia, Von Willebrand's disease, disseminated intravascular coagulation, fibrinogen deficiency, or clotting factor deficiency)
* Significant autoimmune disease including but not limited to immune cytopenias, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, other connective tissue disorders, vasculitis, inflammatory bowel disease, severe psoriasis
* Presence of anti-thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor (TSHR) antibodies (that is, above the LLN)
* Active infection or at high risk for infection

Answer: B