The cure for Alzheimer's disease: failure again...

Eli Lilly halts Alzheimer's drug trials

Copper newsPharmaceutical corporation Eli Lilly has stopped the second phase of clinical trials of a drug for Alzheimer's disease after four study participants received different from normal results of biochemical tests, which are usually used to assess liver function.

This is reported by The Wall Street Journal (the article is available only to subscribers of the magazine, but those who wish can read the press release of the VM company).

Abnormal results of biochemical tests were obtained during routine monitoring and may signal inflammation and damage to the liver. Despite the cessation of drug trials, scientists will continue to monitor these study participants.

The active ingredient of the drug, codenamed LY2886721, is a beta-secretase protein inhibitor, which is involved in the formation of beta-amyloid. The latter, in turn, is the main component of amyloid plaques, the accumulation of which is considered one of the causes of Alzheimer's disease.

During the second phase of clinical trials, 45 patients received the drug daily, and there was a control group taking a placebo in the study. According to Lilly representative Eva Groves, the side effect of the drug is not related to the mechanism of action of the beta-secretase inhibitor. The researchers suggest that the poor results of biochemical tests are rather caused by the presence of another, inappropriate action of a particular substance, so the pharmaceutical giant will continue its research in this area. To do this, the company's specialists will analyze the results of an incomplete clinical trial.

A year ago, two more large pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson, stopped testing drugs for Alzheimer's disease. During the study, it turned out that their joint brainchild – a drug called bapineuzumab (bapineuzumab) IV – is ineffective.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru19.06.2013