Alzheimer's drug trials adopt cancer's multi-target approach

Kiswahili

Alzheimer's trials are shifting to a multi-target approach inspired by cancer research, even after failures with Novo Nordisk's semaglutide. Only two drugs, Eli Lilly's Kisunla and Eisai and Biogen's Leqembi, are widely approved to slow progression. This evolution treats the brain-wasting disease as a complex system, seeking new ways to halt it amid its global impact.

Alzheimer's disease causes about 60% of the over 55 million global dementia cases, marked by amyloid and tau protein buildup in the brain.

Just two drugs are widely approved to slow its advance: Eli Lilly's Kisunla and Leqembi from Eisai and Biogen. Both reduce progression by roughly 30% through removal of toxic amyloid plaques.

Experts highlight a pivotal shift in trials, exemplified by the unsuccessful testing of Novo Nordisk's blockbuster GLP-1 drug semaglutide for Alzheimer's. These efforts underscore viewing the brain-wasting condition as a network of complex pathways, akin to recent transformations in cancer therapeutics.

Adopting cancer's multi-target playbook, researchers are advancing to pinpoint additional targets and methods for arresting the disease more comprehensively.

Makala yanayohusiana

Researcher analyzing brain MRI scans related to Alzheimer's drug lecanemab study, showing amyloid clearance but no glymphatic improvement.
Picha iliyoundwa na AI

Study finds lecanemab clears amyloid but shows no short-term recovery in brain waste-clearance system

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Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University report that while the Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab reduces amyloid plaques, MRI measures found no improvement in the brain’s glymphatic waste-clearance three months after treatment began, underscoring the disease’s complexity and the need for multi-target approaches.

Anvisa approves lecanemabe for early-stage Alzheimer's treatment

Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) approved the drug lecanemabe, marketed as Leqembi, on Thursday, January 8, for patients with early-stage Alzheimer's. The monoclonal antibody, administered via infusion, slows disease progression in individuals with mild cognitive impairment and confirmed beta-amyloid protein in the brain. The approval marks progress, though it is not a cure.

SciNeuro and Novartis sign $1.7 billion Alzheimer's drug deal

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Chinese biotech firm SciNeuro Pharmaceuticals has partnered with Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis in a deal worth nearly $1.7 billion to develop treatments for Alzheimer's disease, which affects some 55 million people worldwide. The agreement grants Novartis exclusive worldwide rights to develop and commercialise SciNeuro's antibody candidates for the progressive brain disease. SciNeuro's novel amyloid beta-targeted antibody programme leverages proprietary blood-brain barrier shuttle technology to help more of the drug cross into the brain where Alzheimer's damage occurs.

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Digital biomarkers can change dementia tracking: IISc professor

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Prof KVS Hari, director of the Centre for Brain Research at IISc Bengaluru, emphasized digital biomarkers for early detection and prevention of dementia. He noted that India's rapidly aging population makes dementia a major public health challenge. The centre focuses on data collection and AI to understand disease progression in the Indian context.

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Large real‑world study finds tirzepatide and semaglutide cut cardiovascular risk in type 2 diabetes

Imeripotiwa na AI Imethibitishwa ukweli

Researchers led by Mass General Brigham and the Technical University of Munich report that tirzepatide and semaglutide are associated with significant reductions in heart attacks, strokes and death among adults with type 2 diabetes at elevated cardiovascular risk. Drawing on nearly one million insurance records, the Nature Medicine analysis finds strong and early heart protection from both GLP‑1–based drugs, with only modest differences between them.

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