New Study Says Alzheimer's Drugs Leqimbi and Kisunla Show Little Benefit
A major scientific review found that two highly praised Alzheimer's drugs, Leqimbi and Kisunla, provide little to no meaningful benefit for patients. The independent Cochrane review looked at research spanning a decade and concluded the drugs' clinical benefits are negligible.
Two Alzheimer's drugs that were supposed to change how we fight the disease aren't living up to the hype, according to a new scientific review.
The drugs Leqimbi and Kisunla were marketed as breakthrough treatments when they hit the market in recent years. But a comprehensive review published this week found they make "no meaningful difference" for patients.
The independent Cochrane review analyzed research data collected over ten years. Researchers concluded that the clinical benefit of these anti-amyloid drugs is "absent or trivial."
These medications work by targeting amyloid proteins that build up in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. Drug companies and some doctors had hoped clearing these proteins would slow memory loss and cognitive decline.
The findings are stirring major debate in the medical community about whether these expensive treatments are worth it. The drugs can cost tens of thousands of dollars annually.
Scientists are now testing other approaches, including drugs that target tau proteins, brain inflammation, and metabolic pathways. Some trials are also looking at whether giving anti-amyloid drugs before symptoms appear might work better.
These drugs were hailed as breakthroughs and cost tens of thousands of dollars per year. Families dealing with Alzheimer's may be paying huge amounts for treatments that don't significantly help their loved ones.
More trials testing alternative Alzheimer's treatments are underway, including studies of drugs given before symptoms start.
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