Solanezumab, challenge to Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of representative illness that cause dementia. AD is now the 6th cause of death in the US. Many researchers have fought against AD for several decades.

However, the development of the drug against AD is still ongoing. Although there are some medicines to cover the symptoms of AD, substantial treatment is yet to be established.

Recent hypotheses focus on the amyloid beta that is peptides seen in the brain of AD patients. Amyloid beta is considered to be produced so excessively that normal neurons are destroyed. Erasing amyloid beta in the brain is possible to contribute to the cure of AD.

In recent years, some candidate of compounds to be the solution of this issue were examined. Among them, Solanezumab, developed by Eli Lilly, is expected to be effective in reducing amyloid beta in the brain.

International Business Times: Solanezumab: What is the landmark first drug to 'slow progression' of Alzheimer's disease?

Previously, Solanezumab did not show desirable outcome in clinical trials. In phase 3 trials of Solanezumab for mild to moderate AD, subjects failed to improve their cognitive function. Nonetheless, Eli Lilly thought the result still suggested a possibility of inhibiting progression of the disease with this drug.

The New England Journal of Medicine: Phase 3 Trials of Solanezumab for Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer's Disease

A result of the subsequent cohort study was more positive. In this trial, all participants were prescribed Solanezumab regardless of the drug they took previously, Solanezumab or placebo. As a result, the group having taken Solanezumab continuously showed improved function compared to the group allocated to placebo in the previous study. It indicates that Solanezumab can not only alleviate the symptoms temporally but also suppress the progression of the disease.

The Independent: Alzheimer’s: Early trial shows new drug solanezumab could slow progression of disease

The next trial is expected to be completed in next autumn. Relevant researchers and stakeholders of Eli Lilly seem optimistic about the outcome. In contrast, Financial Times is deliberate to expect a positive result, according to Nikkei's report.

In my opinion, it is unlikely that Solanezumab will perform splendid record, unfortunately. The interpretation of Eli Lilly for the results of previous studies is too affirmative. It seems approaching the core of AD, nonetheless. I hope a more innovative solution for this dreadful disease will be found soon.

*Sequel