Breakthrough treatment: Locanemab is approved to treat early-onset Alzheimer’s disease

According to the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation and the article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Locanemab (Leqembi) as a new treatment to treat early onset Alzheimer’s disease. The approval came through the accelerated pathway for critical medical needs based on strong clinical evidence from randomized trials.

Phase 3 of the ongoing trial shows evidence of slow cognitive decline among users of Locanemab after 18 months. In addition, results from the study show a significant reduction in Amyloid Plaques in the brain of Locanemab users compared to those on placebo.

As with every trial, there are concerns about the adverse effects of such a new medication. Therefore, additional information on the safety and efficacy of the drug is warranted from longer trials.

Sources:

1. Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation

2. Lecanemab in Early Alzheimer’s Disease, The New England Journal of Medicine