Since Aducanumab was granted accelerated approval amid controversy, the research and development of new drugs for Alzheimer's disease (AD), particularly Aβ antibody drugs, has ushered in a new chapter...
July 7, 2023, Eisai/BiogenLecanemab has been officially granted full approval by the FDA, becoming the world's first drug to receive full FDA approval.Aβ AntibodyAD drugs.
On July 17, 2023, Eli Lilly and Company announced the full data release of Donanemab's Phase III trial, showing a 60% reduction in cognitive decline among early-stage patients. The company has submitted a new drug application to the FDA.
And yet, it is not only AD patients who are deeply affected by all of this.And there is another group of "neglected"Patients with Down syndrome.
Recently, Hampus Hillerstrom, CEO of LuMind IDSC (Down Syndrome Research Institution), is advocating for Eisai, Biogen, and Eli Lilly and Company.Include individuals with Down syndrome in Alzheimer's trials.
Down’s Syndrome (DS), also known as Trisomy 21/Congenital Mental Retardation,It is mainly caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21, being the most common chromosomal disorder in humans and the first one to be identified.According toAccording to LuMind IDSC statistics, there are over 6 million people with Down syndrome globally, including 400,000 in the United States. Most of these patients will experience symptoms during the ages of 40 to 50.Dementia symptoms appear due to the overproduction of β-amyloid.(Developing AD roughly 10-20 years earlier than the general population)RootAccording to the Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, the lifetime risk of individuals with Down syndrome developing AD exceeds 90%, and AD is the leading cause of death in adults with Down syndrome (70%-80%).Therefore, advocacy groups such as LuMind believe that Aβ antibody drugs like Lecanemab/Donanemab can benefit patients with Down syndrome.However, some hold opposing views. According to a report by Reuters, some neurologists believe that the development of AD drugs has not included the Down syndrome patient population, and the hasty use of such drugs may pose additional safety risks. (Due to the high prevalence of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) in individuals with Down syndrome, the risks of brain swelling and brain bleeding are correspondingly increased.)Out of consideration for safety,Advocacy groups like LuMind are lobbying hard.Eisai, Biogen, and Eli Lilly Conduct Phase 4 Safety Trials for Patients with Down Syndrome.Currently,Eli LillyHas been in collaboration withLuMind has reached relevant agreements and joined the latter's Down Syndrome Research Consortium.LuMind Official Website
Cover image source: pixabay
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