Do not rush to rejoice
The first Alzheimer's drug has passed the third phase of clinical trials
Georgy Golovanov, Hi-tech+
Pharmacological companies Eisai (Japan) and Biogen (USA) have announced the first results of the third phase of clinical trials of a drug to eliminate the symptoms of dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease. The drug successfully slows down cognitive decline. However, experts are in no hurry to rejoice, pointing out that the real benefits of the drug for patients have not yet been studied.
Lecanemab (lecanemab) is an experimental monoclonal antibody designed to destroy clots of toxic proteins in the brain, which are considered to be responsible for the death of nerve cells inherent in Alzheimer's disease. These antibodies combine with clusters of beta-amyloid, interfere with their formation and, in some cases, destroy already formed clusters, according to a press release from Biogen.
The third phase of the trials involved less than 2,000 patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. Half were injected with the drug every two weeks for 18 months. The rest received a placebo.
The purpose of the tests was to assess the level of cognitive decline on the CDR-SB scale. It measures the severity of dementia based on a questionnaire that was answered by patients and their caregivers. The results showed that after a year and a half, the lecanemab group showed signs of a decrease in cognitive impairment compared to placebo by 27% on the CDR-SB scale.
In a press release, Eisai and Biogen called the results "statistically highly significant." From the point of view of clinical trials, this is undoubtedly the case. However, experts dealing with real patients are in no hurry to express optimism. It is not yet clear what this slowing of cognitive impairment will mean in practice and how significant it will be for patients and their families.
Perhaps clarity will appear when the full data of the study are published. This will happen at the end of the year.
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