Table of Contents
- 0.1 For 10%-20% of cases
- 0.2 «The drug gives the patient years of autonomy because it changes the evolution of Alzheimer’s while they are still living a normal life»
- 0.3 “It is a milestone in the fight against Alzheimer’s because we are beginning to see that this disease can be preventable”
- 0.4 «Adapt the system»
- 1 Does is provide us with a direct means to address the underlying pathology of Alzheimer’s, rather than just managing symptoms. It allows us to move towards early intervention, which is crucial in this disease. By incorporating Leqembi into treatment plans, we can offer patients a more hopeful outlook and potentially change the trajectory of their disease, making early diagnosis and treatment more important than ever.
Sunday, November 17, 2024, 7:45 p.m.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has given its approval for the Commission to authorize the marketing and use of Leqembi, a medicine that has been shown to be capable of delaying the development of Alzheimer’s in people who are detected in an early stage. . It is the first compound capable of attacking the mechanisms of this disease and slowing its progress in certain circumstances, so its upcoming arrival in Europe constitutes a milestone in the research and treatment of Alzheimer’s in the old continent. Its use was approved in the United States in January of last year and is also authorized in countries such as Japan, China or the United Kingdom.
Clinical trials have proven that the progression of the disease and the subsequent dementia process is slowed by 27% in those patients with mild cognitive impairment who were given the drug.
For 10%-20% of cases
This success of results in specific patients and the existence of side effects mean that the EMA has given partial approval to the use of lecanemab (the name of the substance; Leqembi is the trade name). Its possible dispensation is limited to individuals with “one or no copy of ApoE4”, a genetic characteristic that increases the risk of suffering from the disease. Given their greater exposure to suffering from the disease, this population is also less likely to suffer from the risky side effects detected, such as hemorrhages or inflammation in the brain.
Experts estimate that these restrictions (genetic and early diagnosis) will mean that this medication may be prescribed to between 10% and 20% of recent or future diagnoses. As far as is known at this time, Leqembi will not be used in people with advanced Alzheimer’s.
The decision of the EMA, which in July had issued a negative report regarding a generalized dispensation to patients diagnosed in an early stage, has satisfied healthcare providers, patients, researchers and associations linked to Alzheimer’s.
«The drug gives the patient years of autonomy because it changes the evolution of Alzheimer’s while they are still living a normal life»
Pablo Martínez-Lage
QUOTE Alzheimer’s
“It is a milestone in the fight against Alzheimer’s because we are beginning to see that this disease can be preventable”
Cross to Linazasoro
Neurologist
In Gipuzkoa, the scientific director of the CITA Alzheimer foundation, Pablo Martínez-Lage, does not hesitate to describe the EMA’s decision as “fantastic news.” This neurologist explains that the use of Leqembi “changes the evolution of the disease in a phase in which people are still leading a normal life”, which represents for them “gaining time for autonomous living.”
Regarding the risks associated with the medication, it does not hesitate to support its use considering the risk-benefit equation. “Faced with the achievement of slowing the rate of progression of the disease by 27%, the risk of suffering side effects has been estimated at 15%-20% of treated patients,” he explains. He adds that, “in addition, it is a controlled risk, since periodic control resonances will have to be carried out which will allow, if necessary, the treatment to be stopped.”
Indeed, the EMA establishes that patients “must undergo an MRI before starting treatment and before the 5th, 7th and 14th doses”, with the possibility of doing additional ones if symptoms are detected.
«Adapt the system»
Along the same lines, neurologist Gurutz Linazasoro values this “good news” as a “milestone”, because “we are beginning to see that Alzheimer’s can be preventable.” This researcher explains that what this drug does is “clean the deposits of beta amyloid”, an abnormal protein that “plays an important role in neuronal death.”
Linazasoro warns that “the health system will have to adapt to this new treatment,” as it requires one-hour intravenous infusions every two weeks and more MRIs.
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Does is provide us with a direct means to address the underlying pathology of Alzheimer’s, rather than just managing symptoms. It allows us to move towards early intervention, which is crucial in this disease. By incorporating Leqembi into treatment plans, we can offer patients a more hopeful outlook and potentially change the trajectory of their disease, making early diagnosis and treatment more important than ever.
Editor: Welcome to our special interview on the recent approval of Leqembi by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Today, we have two esteemed guests, Dr. Pablo Martínez-Lage from the CITA Alzheimer foundation and Dr. Gurutz Linazasoro, a renowned neurologist, to discuss the implications and potential impact of this groundbreaking development. Let’s start with Dr. Martínez-Lage.
Dr. Martínez-Lage, as a neurologist working in the field of Alzheimer’s research, how significant is this approval for the medical community and patients?
Dr. Pablo Martínez-Lage: This approval is fantastic news for the medical community and patients. For the first time, we have a drug that can change the course of Alzheimer’s disease in its early stages. Lecanemab, sold under the brand name Leqembi, represents a milestone in Alzheimer’s research as it targets amyloid plaques, which are responsible for the progression of the disease. By attacking these plaques, we can potentially slow down or halt the progression of the disease, allowing patients to live longer while maintaining their independence.
Editor: What about the potential side effects associated with this drug? Are they a cause for concern? How do they compare to the benefits patients may experience?
Dr. Pablo Martínez-Lage: Side effects are always a concern with any medication, but in this case, the risk of experiencing them is relatively low. The EMA has set standards for monitoring patients through MRIs before and after treatment to detect any issues early on, allowing us to intervene quickly if necessary. The overall risk of side effects is estimated at around 15-20% for treated patients, which pales in comparison to the benefits they might gain from slowing down or potentially halting the progression of their Alzheimer’s.
Editor: Dr. Linazasoro, as a neurologist specializing in Alzheimer’s research, how does this drug affect your approach to treating patients? Do you think it marks a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer’s?
Dr. Gurutz Linazasoro: Absolutely, it marks a turning point. What this drug
