A new drug called donanemab has been hailed as a turning point in the treatment of dementia, as a global trial has shown that it significantly slows down cognitive and functional decline in people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Developed by US pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, the phase 3 trial for donanemab recently concluded, and the results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
According to Eli Lilly, donanemab is able to slow down cognitive and functional decline by reducing the build-up of amyloid protein deposits in the brain. This reduction in amyloid plaque helps lower the risk of disease progression, with nearly half of the patients in the trial showing no clinical progression at one year.
The drug is now awaiting regulatory approval from the US Food and Drug Administration and other global regulators. It is expected that most of the approvals will be granted by the end of the year.
If approved, we believe donanemab can provide clinically meaningful benefits for people with this disease and the possibility of completing their course of treatment as early as six months once their amyloid plaque is cleared, said Anne White, executive vice-president of Eli Lilly.
The news of donanemab’s effectiveness has been met with excitement and hope in the fight against Alzheimer’s. The UK Alzheimer’s Society has called it a turning point and emphasized the need for timely and accurate diagnosis to ensure eligible individuals receive the treatment. However, there are concerns about the capacity of healthcare systems to handle the regular infusions and monitoring associated with these emerging Alzheimer’s drugs.
It is estimated that there are over 64,000 people in Ireland who have dementia, with Alzheimer’s being a major type. The number of people with dementia in the country is expected to increase to 150,000 by 2045. While the development of donanemab is significant, it should be noted that it specifically targets amyloid protein deposits, making it ineffective for treating other major types of dementia, such as vascular dementia.
The recent success of donanemab follows another breakthrough last November when a drug called lecanemab showed a 27% reduction in cognitive and functional decline in Alzheimer’s patients during a clinical trial.
The advancement in Alzheimer’s treatment offers hope to millions of people worldwide affected by the disease. As the regulatory approval process progresses, healthcare systems will need to be prepared to provide access to these promising treatments. Nonetheless, it is crucial to continue research efforts and explore a range of therapeutic options to combat the multifaceted nature of Alzheimer’s disease.
By targeting amyloid plaque buildup in the brain, donanemab represents a significant step forward in the fight against Alzheimer’s. With further advancements in treatment, there is hope for improved quality of life and increased longevity for those affected by this devastating disease.
