Bapineuzumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that acts on the nervous system and has potential therapeutic value for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and possibly glaucoma.[1]
Bapineuzumab is an antibody to the beta-amyloid plaques that are believed to underlie Alzheimer's disease neuropathology. In previous clinical trials for vaccination against human beta amyloid, called AN-1792, patients with Alzheimer's disease using active immunization had positive outcomes with removal of plaques, but 6% of subjects developed aseptic meningitis and the trial was stopped.[2]
Bapineuzumab is currently being co-developed by the pharmaceutical companies Ellan and Wyeth and entered Phase III trials in December 2007.[3]
In patients receiving the highest dose, e.g. 2 mg, MRI scans showed an accumulation of water in brain tissue (vasogenic edema). No health risks were found in subjects receiving either 0.5 or 1 mg of bapineuzumab. Patients who have been receiving or have been scheduled to receive the highest dose will be either removed from the trials or switched to lower doses. (4)
References
- Sample, Ian (2007-08-07). "New Alzheimer's drugs might help prevent glaucoma" (in English). The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/aug/07/3. Retrieved 2008-06-18.
- Woodhouse, Adele; Dickson, Tracey C.; Vickers, James C. (2007). "Vaccination strategies for Alzheimer's disease: A new hope?" (in English). Drugs & Aging (Mairangi Bay, Auckland, New Zealand: Adis International) 24 (2): 107-119. doi:. PMID 17313199. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17313199. Retrieved 2008-06-18. "The vigour of international research on immunotherapy for AD provides significant hope for a strong therapeutic lead for the escalating number of individuals who will develop this otherwise incurable condition.".
- Elan Corporation (2008-06-17). "Elan and Wyeth Announce Encouraging Top-line Results from Phase 2 Clinical Trial of Bapineuzumab for Alzheimer's Disease" (in English). Press release. http://www.elan.com/news/full.asp?ID=1166655. Retrieved 2008-06-18. "Elan and Wyeth plan to continue all four studies in the previously disclosed bapineuzumab Phase 3 clinical program"
- Pogatchnik, Shawn (2009-04-02). "Drug Makers Stop Top Dosage in Alzheimer's Trial" (in English). Drug Discovery & Development. http://www.dddmag.com/news-Elan-Stops-Top-Dosage-In-Alzheimers-Trial-040209.aspx. Retrieved 2009-04-16.