The potential of lecanemab in reducing cognitive decline and removing amyloid from the brain has been hailed as “game-changing” and bringing new hope for future therapies for Alzheimer’s disease.
A new study has revealed that, in tests among people with early-stage Alzheimer’s, a statistically-significant reduction in changes in thinking and memory were seen.
Amyloid, a protein associated with the neurodegenerative disease, was also reduced in the brain.
The study is hugely significant and looks to be a massive breakthrough in efforts to halt the progression and treat the devastating dementia.
It marks the latest milestone in decades of research into Alzheimer’s, with a breakthrough in 1989 revealing that amyloid was a key factor in brain changes leading to the disease.
The world-leading researcher behind that work, Professor Sir John Hardy, spoke of his delight at the study revealing the potential of lecanemab.
“Today marks a truly exciting day for dementia research,” says Professor Sir John, chair of molecular biology of neurological disease, UCL.
“This discovery would not have been possible without the selfless dedication of families affected by dementia who took part in this research.
“A drug like lecanemab becoming available on the NHS would be a massive triumph, but challenges remain around getting drugs to the right people at the right time – we need changes in our health system’s infrastructure to make sure we’re ready.”
Alzheimer’s Society funded research in 1989, which showed for the first time that a toxic protein called amyloid played a role in the cascade of brain changes leading to Alzheimer’s disease
The new paper also suggests further studies to evaluate how effective and safe lecanemab is are ongoing, but its potential has been hailed as a huge boost for Alzheimer’s research.
Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Today’s exciting results could be game-changing. They give us hope that in the future people with early Alzheimer’s disease could have more time with their loved ones.
“Our research over 30 years ago was pivotal in highlighting the importance of amyloid protein in Alzheimer’s disease, laying the foundations for billions of pounds of investment into many of the drugs like lecanemab being tested today, with 117 other drugs currently in trials.
“This isn’t the end of the journey for lecanemab – it’s being explored in further trials to see how well it works over a longer period of time. The safety of drugs is crucial and lecanemab did have side effects, but they will be closely looked at when decisions are made about whether or not to approve lecanemab, to see if the benefits outweigh the risks.
“There is still a long way to go before we could see lecanemab available on the NHS, and we await clarity for how and when the approval process will take place in the UK, and whether regulators believe it is cost-effective.
“We mustn’t forget that lecanemab can only be given to people with early Alzheimer’s disease who have amyloid in their brain. This means people with other types of dementia, or in the later stages of Alzheimer’s disease, can’t benefit from this drug.”
