Alzheimer's Drugs, Aduhelm and Leqembi That Do Not Cure the Disease
In a previous post where we explored "Memory deterioration, oligomers, and Alzheimer's disease", we touched upon the topic of potential treatments for Alzheimer's. Today, let's delve into one of the FDA-accelerated approved drugs for Alzheimer's disease: Aduhelm (Aducanumab). Additionally, we'll briefly discuss the recent full approval of another Alzheimer's drug, Leqembi (Lecanemab) which got its aproval about 24 hours ago, although limited research has been conducted on its efficacy as of yet.
Aducanumab is touted as an Alzheimer's treatment aimed at targeting and removing beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, which are believed to contribute to the disease. However, it is important to note that simply clearing the plaques does not equate to a cure for Alzheimer's, as cognitive improvement is often not observed in patients undergoing amyloid-targeted treatment.
Numerous trials have been conducted on patients receiving amyloid plaque-targeted treatments, including Aducanumab. These trials have shown little to no cognitive improvement post-treatment, despite the reduction or removal of plaques. This suggests that these treatments may primarily address biomarkers associated with the disease rather than significantly improving patients' cognitive abilities or symptoms.
One of the reasons Aducanumab has faced skepticism and non-acceptance in certain countries is due to its side effects, which can exacerbate existing symptoms in patients. These side effects include headaches, confusion, delirium, altered mental status, disorientation, dizziness, vision abnormalities, nausea, and brain swelling or bleeding. Alzheimer's is characterized by irreversible cognitive decline, and while patients eagerly seek potential treatments, the risks and benefits of such medications must be carefully considered.
Leqembi, recently granted FDA approval, is specifically intended for individuals with early-onset Alzheimer's and not those already experiencing advanced degeneration. Clinical trials conducted in 2022 on 1,795 participants, with half receiving Leqembi and the other half receiving a placebo, demonstrated reduced amyloid markers and a slower rate of cognitive decline in the early stages of the disease. The reduction in cognitive decline amounted to approximately 27%, effectively delaying the loss of cognition by around six months.
Another study in 2022 involving 856 patients, with 247 receiving a placebo and 609 receiving Leqembi, revealed a significant reduction in amyloid levels correlated with clinical benefits. Patients experienced a deceleration in cognitive decline, suggesting a potential positive impact of the drug.
Similar to Aducanumab, patients treated with Leqembi may experience side effects, most notably brain swelling and bleeding, along with dizziness and nausea. As the FDA approval for Leqembi focuses on early-onset Alzheimer's, it is crucial to conduct more comprehensive research to ascertain its efficacy and safety profile. Until further studies are conducted, both Aducanumab and Leqembi offer a decline in cognitive degeneration rather than a cure.
The FDA-approved drugs Aducanumab (Aduhelm) and Leqembi (Lecanemab) have generated considerable attention in the field of Alzheimer's treatment. While Aducanumab has faced criticism and concerns due to limited cognitive improvement and potential side effects, Leqembi shows promise in slowing the progression of cognitive decline in individuals with early-onset Alzheimer's. Continued research and clinical studies are essential to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of these medications and their role in managing Alzheimer's disease.
Read More
https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n156
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/brb3.2850
https://bmcneurol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12883-023-03099-5
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10196238/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573062/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36449413/
https://alzres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13195-022-01124-2
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