New Drug Donanemab Shows Promise in Slowing Alzheimer’s Disease
A new drug called donanemab has been hailed as a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. The global trial of the antibody medicine has confirmed that it slows cognitive decline in the early stages of the disease by clearing a specific protein that accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. While not a cure, the results published in the journal JAMA mark a new era in Alzheimer’s treatment.
The UK’s drugs watchdog is currently assessing the drug for potential use in the National Health Service (NHS). Donanemab specifically targets Alzheimer’s disease and does not work for other types of dementia.
In the trials, donanemab was found to slow the progression of the disease by about a third, allowing patients to retain more of their day-to-day functioning. Patients reported improvements in tasks such as making meals and pursuing hobbies. Mike Colley, an 80-year-old participant in the trial, expressed gratitude for being able to take part and said he feels more confident every day.
However, like all medications, donanemab is not without risks. In the trial, about one-third of patients experienced brain swelling as a side effect, but this resolved without causing symptoms in most cases. Unfortunately, two volunteers and possibly a third died due to dangerous swelling in the brain.
Another antibody drug for Alzheimer’s, aducanumab, was recently rejected by European regulators due to safety concerns and lack of evidence for its effectiveness. However, the results of the donanemab trial provide further confirmation that clearing the amyloid protein from the brain may change the course of the disease.
The drug’s effects may be modest, but it signals progress in Alzheimer’s treatment. Experts caution that amyloid is just one aspect of Alzheimer’s, and it remains unclear if the treatment will continue to show benefits over a longer period. However, the results are encouraging for the field of Alzheimer’s research.
Former UK Prime Minister David Cameron called for further investment in research for a “statin for the brain” that can clear proteins from the brain and reduce the risk of dementia. The cost of donanemab is unknown, but having two drugs available could promote competition and potentially lower prices.
The UK’s drug’s watchdog, NICE, has already begun assessing donanemab for its recommendation in the NHS. However, the Alzheimer’s Society has raised concerns that the NHS is not currently prepared to deliver these emerging treatments. Only 2% of people in England and Wales currently receive a diagnosis that would make them eligible for these treatments, and the NHS is not equipped for the regular infusions and monitoring required.
Overall, the emergence of donanemab as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease offers hope to the millions of people worldwide affected by the devastating condition. As further research and development continues, there is optimism that the outlook for dementia could improve, and Alzheimer’s may become a treatable condition.