Drugs that change disease progression

Drugs in this category slow disease progression by going after the underlying biology of the disease process. They aim to slow the decline of memory and thinking, as well as function, in people living with Alzheimer’s disease.

Amyloid targeting approaches

Anti-amyloid treatments work by removing beta-amyloid, a protein that accumulates into plaques, from the brain. The beta- amyloid plaques damage the brain cells, cause disruption of transmission of messages across the nerve cells and result in cognitive impairment. Each works differently and targets beta- amyloid at a different stage of plaque formation. These medications have shown to improve cognition and function.

Lecanemab (Leqembi®)

Lecanemab (Leqembi) is an anti-amyloid antibody intravenous (IV) infusion therapy that is delivered every two weeks. Leqembi lowers beta-amyloid in the brain and reduces cognitive and functional decline in people living with early Alzheimer’s.

Lecanemab is not a cure, but it is the first traditionally approved treatment that addresses the underlying biology of Alzheimer’s and changes the course of the disease in a meaningful way for people in the early stages. By slowing progression of the disease when taken in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, individuals will have more time to participate in daily life and live independently. Lecanemab is appropriate for people with early Alzheimer’s with confirmation of elevated beta-amyloid. The therapy has not been tested on people with more advanced stages of Alzheimer’s or those without clinical symptoms.

Donanemab (Kisunla™)

Donanemab (Kisunla) is an anti-amyloid antibody intravenous (IV) infusion therapy delivered every four weeks. It has received traditional approval from the FDA to treat early Alzheimer’s disease, including people living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease who have

confirmation of elevated beta-amyloid in the brain.

The most common side effects are:

Infusion related reactions (mild to moderate flu like symptoms) that may occur more with Lecanemab than with Donanemab typically during the first few infusions.

Amyloid- related imaging abnormalities like ARIA -oedema {swelling of the brain}, ARIA-Haemorrhage

{Bleeding in the brain}