The Accessibility and Efficacy of New Alzheimer's Drugs: A Closer Look

Concerns Surrounding New Alzheimer's Treatments

As the medical world continues to make strides in the battle against Alzheimer's disease, concerns have been raised about the availability and affordability of new drugs. Notably, two recently hyped Alzheimer's drugs, lecanemab and donanemab, have come under scrutiny due to their limited clinical benefits, potential dangerous side effects, and high costs. Senior healthcare service figures worry that the rollout of these drugs could cost taxpayers up to £1 billion per year and potentially endanger the lives of Alzheimer's patients.

These drugs, despite their high costs, have only been shown to slow the progress of the disease for less than a year, with potential side effects including brain bleeds. The drugs are most beneficial for patients in the earliest stages of Alzheimer's. However, the lack of an effective test for the disease makes early diagnosis challenging, further complicating the treatment landscape.

Reprioritization of Resources and Concerns about FDA Decisions

In an unexpected turn of events, Biogen recently announced that it would cease both the study and sale of Aduhelm, its FDA-approved monoclonal antibody for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The decision was not a response to new data about the drug’s safety or efficacy, but rather a reprioritization of resources. This decision has sparked criticism towards the FDA and concerns about potential similar decisions in the future.

Hope on the Horizon: Potential New Drugs

Despite the concerns surrounding existing drugs, there are reasons to be optimistic. A research team at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences has discovered a drug, CBA2, that could prevent Alzheimer's disease by targeting the protein ApoE4. This drug has been awarded a provisional patent and is in the process of full patent approval.

Although CBA2 is still 5-10 years away from being ready for the necessary tests before it can be sold, the team is in discussions with the makers of an existing Alzheimer's drug to adapt it as a preventative treatment. The team has received a five-year, $2.35 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to conduct larger-scale preclinical research on the drug candidate, CBA2, as well as test other potential drug candidates.

Repurposing Existing Drugs: A Possible Strategy?

In another exciting development, a study by UCL found that men who were prescribed Viagra and similar medications were 18% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. The effect was strongest in men with the most prescriptions, showing a 44% lower risk of Alzheimer’s. However, it remains unclear whether the drugs protect against Alzheimer’s or if men less prone to the condition are more likely to use the tablets.

Despite these promising findings, researchers are calling for a proper clinical trial to look at the effects of these drugs on Alzheimer's in women as well as men. The strategy of repurposing existing drugs for the prevention of dementia holds potential, but also comes with the risk of unmeasured factors producing false results.

The Importance of Accessibility and Equity in Healthcare

The developments in Alzheimer's drugs underscore the importance of addressing accessibility and equity in healthcare. The potential life-changing treatments should be available to all patients, regardless of their financial situation or stage of illness. However, it is essential to verify information from reliable sources before drawing conclusions about these treatments.