Experimental therapy gantenerumab fails to slow or improve Alzheimer’s memory loss in clinical trials

CNN
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The manufacturer said on Monday that the experimental therapy, Gantenerumab, failed to help people at risk of memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease or those who were in the early stages of the disease.

GANTERUMAB is part of a category of injected drugs designed to remove sticky protein pieces called beta -amyloid from the brain. Beta amyloid’s accumulation is the distinctive feature of Alzheimer’s disease.

Most of these drugs have worked as intended to remove beta -amyloid, but many of them still fail to prove any real benefits for patients; The functions of the brain and memory are not significantly improved, despite treatment.

On Monday, Roche said that it appears to have removed less than the tumor of the study participants in the study, which was expected. The company said that the results of the third stage of its experiences, which are called “the graduate”, were difficult, but it is important to share it.

“Many of our families have been directly affected by Alzheimer’s disease, so this news is very disappointing,” said Dr. Levy Jarway, the chief medical official of Roche and the head of international products development. press release. “Although the results of Graduate are not as we were hoping, we are proud to provide a high -quality, clear and comprehensive data group about Alzheimer’s disease to the field, and we look forward to sharing what we learned with society while we continue to search for new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.” This complex disease. ”

Roche said it would share more results from its studies at a coming medical conference.

The results of Jantinromab are following the positive results of a different drug to reduce the amyloid beta, which is Likanimab. The two companies that test this medicine, Biogen and Eisai, announced this year that the drug Lecanemab has slowed down the decline in brain function in Alzheimer’s disease by about 27 % compared to imaginary therapy. Some experts feel that the degree of interest is equal to the controversial Alzheimerm degree, which was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration despite the lack of support from the agency independent advisors.

Dr. Constantine Lexus, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Johns Hopkins University, said that if Gantineromab removes a large amount of beta -amyloid as the company expected, he may have shown a degree of benefit that is in line with Likanimab and Adoelm.

“In other words, it is a very modest effect but it is not clinically important,” said Licksos, who did not participate in the research.

Al -Zeheimer’s Association said in a statement that the results of the Roche study are “disappointing”, but it remains “full of hope for this type of treatment.”

“Every anti -millicid treatment is tested in a different way, and the research should continue to be effective and safe. Maria Carillo, the chief scientific official in the non -profit organization, said in the statement:” It is important to evaluate each treatment independently. ”

It is estimated that 6.5 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease in 2022, according to Alzheimer’s Association.