Alzheimer’s drug shows positive mid-stage results

Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia or memory loss involving other cognitive abilities that interfere with daily life. It is not a normal part of aging, though the majority of people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older. 

Nevertheless, there are approximately 200,000 American citizens who are under the age of 65 with what is commonly known as Early-Onset Alzheimer’s. It is a progressively worsening disease with mild memory loss found in its early stages. Alzheimer’s changes typically begin in the part of the brain affecting learning. The more serious late stage involves inability to carry on a conversation and difficulty responding to one’s environment. Personality changes, swallowing, and walking difficulties may also be a part of the advanced stages. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of U.S. deaths. Life expectancy, after Alzheimer patients’ symptoms becomes noticeable to those around them, lasts an average of 8 years. But the Alzheimer’s Association (AA) notes that  “survival can range from 4 to 20 years, depending on age and other health conditions.”

At the present time, Alzheimer’s Disease has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and a large amount of research continues. 

AA comments, “Today, there is a worldwide effort under way to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset, and prevent it from developing.” 

In early July, Biogen Inc. and its Japanese partner, Eisai,  (two research drug companies) presented mid-stage positive results on a drug known as BAN2401. On Wednesday, July 25, at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Chicago, Eisai presented some optimistic final results on BAN2401 based on testing patients’ memory and ability to take care of themselves. It is hoped that the drug industry may have finally discovered a drug that slows the memory-eroding disease, rather than just temporarily improving symptoms as some drugs currently do. 

According to the Wall Street Journal and Eisai, “Early Alzheimer’s patients receiving the highest dose had 30% less decline than those taking a placebo 18 months after the start of treatment.” 

The drug company, Eisai, related that using another older measure that is widely accepted in the Alzheimer’s disease research field….”the highest dose of the drug conferred 47% less decline in patients’ disease at 18 months, versus the placebo.”

Eisai added that testing is designed “to better detect changes in patients at the early stages of the disease.” 

The company has begun setting up meetings with drug regulators in hopes of receiving approval on marketing strategies. But skeptics in attendance at the conference noted that the study did not reach its original goal for 12 months of treatment. They added that the drug did not show a strong benefit when compared in certain other ways, as well. They think that more testing is needed to prove “whether the drug is truly providing a benefit.”

How does BAN2401 actually operate? It works by binding to and clearing from the brain – clusters of a sticky compound known as amyloid beta. It is believed by many researchers that the accumulation of this amyloid beta in the brain can lead to cellular death and Alzheimer’s. This new study performed by Biogen Inc. and its partner, Eisai, “showed that BAN2401 reduced amyloid in patients’ brains, as detected by imaging scans.” Because Alzheimer’s disease is a difficult category littered with many expensive failures of drug trials, investors are being advised to be patient. The Wall Street Journal counsels its readers that “it might take years to know whether the promise of Biogen’s research will turn into commercial success.” 

Let’s hope the validation of BAN2401 comes in a much shorter time period!

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