Tell me about crenezumab
Crenezumab is a novel drug that has garnered significant attention in recent years for its potential use in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. This biologic drug is currently being developed by Swiss pharmaceutical company, AC Immune, in collaboration with Genentech, a subsidiary of Roche.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions of people globally. It is the most common form of dementia and is characterized by memory loss, changes in behavior and thinking skills, and difficulty with daily activities. The disease is caused by the accumulation of amyloid-beta protein in the brain, which forms plaques that disrupt communication between brain cells and ultimately leads to their death.
Crenezumab works by targeting and binding to the amyloid-beta protein, preventing it from aggregating and forming plaques. This is different from other Alzheimer’s treatments that aim to reduce the levels of amyloid-beta in the brain through drugs or antibodies.
The development of crenezumab began in 2006 when scientists at AC Immune discovered a naturally occurring antibody in the blood of healthy elderly individuals that had a high affinity for amyloid-beta. This antibody served as the inspiration for the creation of crenezumab, which is a synthetic version of this naturally occurring antibody.
In preclinical studies, crenezumab showed promising results in reducing amyloid-beta levels and preventing the formation of plaques in animal models. These findings led to the initiation of clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of the drug in humans.
The first clinical trial for crenezumab began in 2012 and involved 431 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease. The results, published in 2014, showed that crenezumab was safe and well-tolerated but did not show significant improvement in cognitive function or disease progression compared to a placebo.
Despite these initial disappointing results, further studies have shown more promising results for crenezumab. A phase 2 clinical trial, conducted in 2017, found that the drug significantly reduced amyloid-beta levels in the brain, and showed a trend towards slowing cognitive decline in patients with early Alzheimer’s disease.
Based on these findings, a larger phase 3 clinical trial was initiated in 2019 with the goal of enrolling 750 patients at over 200 sites worldwide. This trial is still ongoing, and the results are expected to be released in 2022.
One of the most significant advantages of crenezumab is its high selectivity for amyloid-beta, meaning it does not bind to other proteins or cells in the body. This reduces the risk of side effects and makes it a potentially safer option compared to other treatments.
Another advantage is its potential for disease modification. While current treatments for Alzheimer’s disease only provide temporary relief from symptoms, crenezumab has the potential to slow or even halt the progression of the disease by targeting the root cause.
However, there are also some challenges and limitations associated with crenezumab. Firstly, the treatment is administered through regular intravenous infusions, making it a time-consuming and inconvenient option for patients. Additionally, while it has shown promising results in reducing amyloid-beta levels, it is not yet clear if this will translate into significant clinical benefits for patients.
Moreover, like all drugs in development, there is no guarantee that crenezumab will be successful in treating Alzheimer’s disease. It is still undergoing clinical trials and has not yet received approval from regulatory bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States or the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
In conclusion, crenezumab is a novel drug that has shown potential in treating Alzheimer’s disease by targeting the underlying cause of the disease – amyloid-beta plaques. While still in the early stages of development, it has shown promising results in reducing amyloid-beta levels and potentially slowing cognitive decline. However, further studies are needed to fully understand its efficacy and safety. With the growing burden of Alzheimer’s disease, the development of a successful treatment like crenezumab could bring hope to millions of individuals and their families affected by this devastating disease.
