Alzheimer's: Evidence from real-world instances suggests that adverse effects from lecanemab are infrequent.
** breakthrough drug for Alzheimer’s**
Say goodbye to the long wait for a cure for Alzheimer's disease, as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the medication lecanemab in 2023. This game-changer, marketed under the brand name Leqembi, is designed to target a specific protein associated with the onset and progression of the disease.
Despite its potential to revolutionize Alzheimer's care, lecanemab comes with risks, just like any other medication. The most serious side effect is amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), which can cause swelling or bleeding in the brain.
In a 2022 study, known as the Clarity AD phase 3 clinical trial, scientists found that fewer than 1% of participants experienced ARIA. More recently, a new study has confirmed these findings, reporting that instances of significant adverse events, such as ARIA, were rare among individuals in the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease.
Washington University Memory Diagnostic Center enrolled 234 early Alzheimer's patients for its study, most of whom were about 74 years old. "Lecanemab is an immune system warrior," explained co-senior author Barbara Joy Snider, MD, PhD, a professor of neurology at WashU Medicine and Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center affiliate. "It is a protein that targets certain misshapen protein clumps called amyloid beta, which are known to contribute to Alzheimer's disease."
In the same study, researchers discovered that just 1.8% of participants at the earliest stage of Alzheimer's exhibited symptoms of ARIA. By comparison, 27% of individuals with mild Alzheimer's experienced these side effects. This underscores the importance of early diagnosis as those with mild symptoms are more likely to benefit and have fewer side effects from lecanemab.
Interestingly, of the eleven patients who developed ARIA symptoms, most of the issues disappeared within a few months, and none of the patients passed away. According to Snider, this aligns with findings from the original clinical trial.
However, it is important to note that factors such as overall health and disease stage should be heavily considered when weighing the benefits and risks of lecanemab for each individual patient. Finding the right balance between treatment and potential side effects will require continued collaboration between healthcare professionals, researchers, and patients.
More research is needed to identify those at higher risk for ARIA, potentially guiding individualized treatment decisions. For example, comparing lecanemab with other similar medications like donanemab could provide valuable insights on both the benefits and risks associated with each treatment option.
- The FDA approved lecanemab, a breakthrough drug for Alzheimer's disease, under the brand name Leqembi in 2023, marking a significant advancement in the field of science and medical-conditions related to health-and-wellness and neurological-disorders.
- Lecanemab is designed to target a specific protein associated with the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease, named amyloid beta, making it an "immune system warrior" in the fight against Alzheimers-disease and other neurological-disorders.
- A study conducted by the Washington University Memory Diagnostic Center reported that just 1.8% of participants at the earliest stage of Alzheimer's exhibited symptoms of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), which can cause swelling or bleeding in the brain, when treated with lecanemab.
- Therapies-and-treatments like lecanemab are more likely to benefit those with early-stage Alzheimer's and have fewer side effects, as shown by a lower incidence of ARIA compared to those with mild Alzheimer's.
- Continued collaboration between healthcare professionals, researchers, and patients will be crucial to finding the right balance between treatment and potential side effects, hoping to further minimize risks and ultimately improve the lives of seniors dealing with Alzheimer's and other neurological-disorders.
