Hope for Amyloid-Targeting Treatments Dwindle as Two More Alzheimer Drugs Fail

Solanezumab and gantenerumab have failed to show benefits in the treatment of inherited early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, according to their respective companies.

Both drugs are antibodies targeting amyloid-beta, a protein that forms plaque deposits in the brain leading to the death of neurons. In October, another ‘failed’ amyloid-targeting antibody called aducanumab made the news, when re-analysis of the data suggested that it was in fact effective in sufficiently high doses. This may have raised unrealistic hopes for similar treatments.

The full data for the drugs is due to be presented in April, and there is still the possiblity that, as with aducanumab, effects could be seen with a sufficiently high dose. However, as doses were only increased half way through the study, and sample sizes were relatively small, results are likely to remain suggestive at best.