Human clinical trials are underway for the first vaccine against Alzheimer’s.
The Phase I trial for a nasal spray at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts was announced Tuesday by the hospital.
Protollin will be used in the vaccine. It stimulates an individual’s immune system.
Howard Weiner is the codirector of the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, which was 20 years in the making.
The breakthrough would come as a result of the fact that there are currently no treatments for this condition and that it is difficult to find drugs to reverse its effects.
First human clinical trials are underway for an Alzheimer’s vaccine. Two-dose nasal spray containing Protollin activates white blood cells to clear brain plaques. (file image).
Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston (pictured) is hosting the clinical trials. It is 20 years worth of research that led to the development of this vaccine.
Weiner released a statement saying that the launch of the first human test of an Alzheimer’s nasal vaccine was a significant milestone.
“Over the past two decades we have amassed preclinical data suggesting the potential for this nasal vaccine. [Alzheimer’s disorder].
“Clinical trials on humans have shown that this vaccine is safe, effective and non-toxic. This could be a treatment option for those with Alzheimer’s.
Two doses of the vaccine are required. They will each be given one week apart.
The trial currently has 16 participants aged 60-85.
Although they have shown early signs of Alzheimer’s, all are otherwise in great health.
In the first trial, doctors will try to determine if and how safe it is.
The vaccine’s Protollin may activate white blood cell activation in the lymph nodes, according to researchers.
By doing this, the white blood cells are triggered to eliminate beta amyloid plaques in the brain.
The plaques that develop in someone with Alzheimer’s are believed to be the reason for developing dementia.
“We are delighted to see Protollin accepted for clinical trials. After many years of pioneering research, we are humbled to offer our expertise in developing novel treatments for this deadly disease,” Dr Jingwu Zang (founder and chairman of I-Mab), a Maryland-based biopharmaceutical company that created Protollin said in a statement.
Weiner believes that this kind of immune system activation will provide the key to preventing Alzheimer’s from developing.
He said that the immune system played a crucial role in neurologic diseases.
“And it’s exciting, that after twenty years of preclinical research, we can finally make a major step toward clinical translation by conducting this historic first human trial.”
Alzheimer’s affects approximately six million Americans and causes more than 100,000 deaths each year in the United States.
Alzheimer’s disease is most well-known and severe symptom. It is responsible for over 60% of all dementia cases in the United States.
This condition is more common in people 65 years and older. People with an older relative who has it are at greater risk.
Aduhelm is currently the only medication that can reverse Alzheimer’s cognitive decline. But, experts have doubted its effectiveness and the summer approval of the drug by the regulators was fraught with controversy.