Title: Dementia Drug Shows Promise in Slowing Down Alzheimer’s, but Safety Concerns Arise
Date: 19 August 2023
Byline: Ethan Ennals
A new study suggests that one of the first drugs capable of slowing down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease should not be given to the majority of patients due to safety concerns. Lecanemab, the drug in question, appears to show promising results in slowing down the degenerative brain condition by a third.
Last month, US health regulators approved lecanemab for use in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia, indicating that the drug may be effective in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. The UK’s NHS spending watchdog is set to begin evaluating its use next month, hoping to provide relief for the one million Alzheimer’s sufferers in the country.
However, research warns that the drug’s safety data is insufficient for nine out of ten early-stage Alzheimer’s patients as it has only been tested on patients who are otherwise healthy. Lecanemab, developed by Japanese pharmaceutical company Eisai and US biotech firm Biogen, targets the treatment of mild cognitive impairment in patients with amyloid buildup in the brain.
Patients participating in the lecanemab trial were excluded if they had conditions such as obesity, diabetes, heart problems, or a history of cancer. Despite having a clean bill of health, a significant number of participants experienced side effects. Data published by Eisai revealed that around one in ten patients had life-threatening brain swelling, and one in six developed brain bleeds. Alarmingly, three participants died as a result of side effects associated with the drug.
The Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, US, conducted a study on 237 older adults who suffered from mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia. The study found that 92% of them had underlying health conditions that would have excluded them from participating in the lecanemab trial. Dr. Maria Vassilaki, an epidemiologist at the Mayo Clinic and study author, emphasized the importance of further research to examine the drug’s safety and efficacy, particularly in “less healthy populations.”
As the evaluation of lecanemab for use in the UK approaches, it is crucial to carefully consider the drug’s potential benefits and risks. While it shows promise in slowing down the progression of Alzheimer’s, its safety concerns highlight the need for comprehensive research and understanding before widespread use.
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