Recent work (Sevigny et al (2016)) has been making the rounds on social media. I have seen exaggerated headlines such as "New drug that halts mental decline.." and "A cure for Alzheimer's" making the rounds.
So, what's the dealio, yo? Have we done it? Have we cured Alzheimer's? Let's get into the facts here ---
1. What's this drug called?
Aducanumab - it's marketed by Biogen.
2. How does it work?
This is a drug that targets aggregated beta-amyloid. (Click here for my review on amyloid).
3. How is it different from other drugs that have been tried?
Well, for one, it isn't a "drug" per se. It is an antibody which targets the aggregated beta-amyloid.
4. What's an antibody?
An antibody is something all our immune systems generate to fight off infection. Think of it as your Superman to a Lex Luther. An antibody's role is to identify bad stuff, bind to it, and neutralize it's threat.
So, what's the dealio, yo? Have we done it? Have we cured Alzheimer's? Let's get into the facts here ---
1. What's this drug called?
Aducanumab - it's marketed by Biogen.
2. How does it work?
This is a drug that targets aggregated beta-amyloid. (Click here for my review on amyloid).
3. How is it different from other drugs that have been tried?
Well, for one, it isn't a "drug" per se. It is an antibody which targets the aggregated beta-amyloid.
4. What's an antibody?
An antibody is something all our immune systems generate to fight off infection. Think of it as your Superman to a Lex Luther. An antibody's role is to identify bad stuff, bind to it, and neutralize it's threat.
 |
| Up, up and antibodyyyyy (I'll show myself out) |
5. Okay, so what did the study find?
The study found that in one year, patients who were given aducanumab showed less of the amyloid burden than placebo (not given the antibody). And, rather excitingly, this was a dose-dependent effect.
6. What's a dose-dependent effect?
It's a fancy way of saying, the greater the amount of aducanumab given, the better the patients seemed to do.
7. What did they measure?
They looked at amyloid in the brain as well as behavioral symptoms. Both improved dose-dependently with aducanumab.
8. Does this mean anyone suffering from Alzheimer's would benefit from this drug?
Not quite. The effects seemed most pronounced in those who were in early stages of AD?
9. Is this a cure for AD?
Too early to say. The sample size of this drug trial was small. Biogen is currently conducting Phase III drug trials (~1500 patients). Those results will become available in 2021. Also, important to note that the effect was in early stages of AD.
10. Why the hesitation, bro?
We have been here before. other drugs showed promise in Phase I/II trials only to show no effect in larger trials. Also, don't call me bro, bro.
11. So what's the takeaway?
Very promising data. But, if someone tells you that "they found a cure for Alzheimer's", tell them that statement is still premature.
