Another Antibody Therapy Lowers Alzheimer’s Disease Burden

The New England Journal of Medicine recently published results from late-stage clinical trials that concluded among persons with early Alzheimer's disease (AD), the use of Gantenerumab led to a lower amyloid plaque burden than placebo at 116 weeks.

However, Gantenerumab, a monoclonal antibody (mAb), was not associated with slower clinical decline as of November 16, 2023.

According to these researchers, mAb target amyloid-beta (Aβ) has the potential to slow cognitive and functional decline in persons with early Alzheimer's disease.

Gantenerumab is a subcutaneously administered, fully human, anti-Aβ IgG1 mAb with the highest affinity for aggregated Aβ that has been tested for treating AD.

In 2021, Gantenerumab was granted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Breakthrough Therapy Designation in AD.

Genentech, F. Hoffmann–La Roche, produces Gantenerumab and continues exploring multiple approaches and molecules that may address key pathways of AD.

AD is a progressive, fatal disease of the brain characterized by a decline in memory, language, and other thinking skills, as well as changes in mood and behavior.

Biological changes in the brain are believed to start decades before clinical symptoms of AD become evident.

Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia. Given the medical and societal complexities of AD, several tools and treatment options will likely be required to meet the multiple and diverse needs of people living with the disease, says Genentech.

Recently, LEQEMBI®, a humanized immunoglobulin gamma 1 mAb directed against aggregated soluble and insoluble forms of Aβ, was approved in Japan.

LEQEMBI reduces the rate of disease progression and slows cognitive and functional decline by selectively binding to and eliminating the most toxic Aβ aggregates that contribute to neurotoxicity in AD.

Japan is the second country to approve LEQEMBI, following the FDA approval in July 2023.

As of December 2, 2023, the FDA has not approved an Alzheimer's preventive vaccine candidate.