Researchers and campaigners are hailing a new drug that has been found to slow the progress of Alzheimer’s as a ‘turning point’ in the fight against the debilitating disease.
Donanemab, which targets the build-up of amyloid protein in the brain, was found to slow ‘clinical decline’ in patients by up to 35% – but did have some serious side effects.
However, by delaying the cognitive deterioration associated with Alzheimer’s, those with the disease could still carry on with their regular lives longer, performing day-to-day tasks including shopping, housekeeping, managing finances and taking medication.
Alzheimer’s Research UK said that ‘we’re entering a new era where Alzheimer’s disease could become treatable’.
Alzheimer’s breakthrough heralded as ‘turning point’
Previous drugs prescribed for Alzheimer’s only treated the symptoms of the disease, rather than the cause.
The Alzheimer’s Society said that treatments like donanemab could one day mean that Alzheimer’s could be likened to other long-term conditions, such as asthma or diabetes.
Earlier this month, broadcaster and journalist Fiona Phillips revealed she had been diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s – when the disease strikes before the age of 65 – and was joining research trials investigating revolutionary treatments.
Today’s promising results come from the final results of a major trial examining the safety and efficacy of the drug, manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. The trial, known as TRAILBLAZER ALZ-2, included 1,800 people with early-stage Alzheimer’s.
Half of them received a monthly infusion of donanemab, and the other half were given a dummy drug, also known as a placebo, over 18 months.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and presented to the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Amsterdam, concluded that after 76 weeks of treatment, donanemab was able to slow clinical decline by 35.1% in people with early Alzheimer’s whose brain scans showed low or medium levels of a protein called tau.
When the results were combined for people who had different levels of this protein, there was a 22.3% slowing in disease progression.
But researchers did find that among a small number of people in the study there were some serious side effects such as brain swelling.
Meanwhile three deaths in the donanemab group and one in the placebo group were considered ‘treatment related’.
Five early signs of dementia to watch out for
The results come after another drug – lecanemab – was found to reduce memory decline among patients with early-stage disease, described in November as ‘the beginning of the end’ in the search for effective Alzheimer’s treatments.
Like donanemab, lecanemab targets and destroys amyloid proteins, which builds up in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s.
‘This is truly a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer’s and science is proving that it is possible to slow down the disease,’ said Dr Richard Oakley, associate director of research and innovation at Alzheimer’s Society.
‘Treatments like donanemab are the first steps towards a future where Alzheimer’s disease could be considered a long-term condition alongside diabetes or asthma – people may have to live with it, but they could have treatments that allow them to effectively manage their symptoms and continue to live fulfilled lives.
‘This study adds to the growing evidence that treating people as early as possible may be more beneficial, with the effects of donanemab greater in people who were at an earlier stage of the disease.’
The hope is that the major new Alzheimer’s breakthorugh could one day be the same as having asthma or diabetes.
What is Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in the UK.
Dementia is the name for a group of symptoms associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning. It can affect memory, thinking skills, and other mental and cognitive abilities.
Source: NHS UK
Dr Oakley stressed that early diagnosis would be key to both the success and access to any new treatments.
‘We can’t have a situation where treatments are approved for use in the UK but people aren’t diagnosed early or accurately enough to be eligible,’ he said.
‘We need early – and accurate – diagnoses available for everyone and the NHS ready to roll out treatments such as donanemab and lecanemab if and when they are approved in the UK.
‘We should also note that the majority of people who took part in this trial were white – it’s crucial that in future trials we see more diversity to prove that new drug treatments have similar effects for everyone living with Alzheimer’s disease.
‘Just as we’ve seen a transformation in cancer treatment in recent decades, we’re really hopeful we’re on the same path for dementia.’
Today’s results mark a huge breakthrough for Alzheimer’s research (Picture: Getty/Science Photo Libra)
Dr Susan Kohlhaas, executive director of research and partnerships at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: ‘Today’s announcement marks another milestone.
‘Thanks to decades of research, the outlook for dementia and its impact on people and society is finally changing, and we’re entering a new era where Alzheimer’s disease could become treatable.
‘These results provide further confirmation that removing amyloid from the brain can change the course of Alzheimer’s, and may help people affected by this devastating disease if they’re treated at the right time.
‘Set against this, it’s clear that donanemab does come with side effects, which for some can be very serious.
‘Regulators will need to balance these benefits and risks before it is given a licence for use.
‘People living with Alzheimer’s deserve access to safe and effective treatments urgently – that’s why Alzheimer’s Research UK has written to the drug’s manufacturer, Eli Lilly, calling on them to put donanemab forward for regulatory review in the UK without delay.
‘And this review should be conducted by the UK regulators as a priority.’
Read more about Alzheimer’s on the NHS website
