Two widely touted Alzheimer’s drugs have demonstrated the ability to help patients live independently in their homes for extended periods. While these medications are effective, they come with certain risks and side effects. This information comes from a study published in the Alzheimer’s Association journal.
Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis conducted an analysis on 282 Alzheimer’s patients. They focused on the duration these patients could continue living independently after taking two specific treatments: lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla). Both of these FDA-approved medications target the removal of amyloid beta plaques from the brains of individuals with early-stage Alzheimer's disease, potentially decelerating cognitive decline.
According to a WashU press release, patients who took lecanemab were able to extend their time living independently by an additional 10 months, while donanemab offered an extension of eight months. Typically, a patient with mild symptoms could expect to live independently for another 29 months without treatment. However, with lecanemab, this period extends to 39 months, and with donanemab, it extends to 37 months.
The results were based on patients who began treatment with very mild symptoms. Dr. Sarah Hartz, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of psychiatry at WashU Medicine, explained that treatment with either lecanemab or donanemab is expected to extend independent living by around one year for an average patient with very mild Alzheimer's symptoms. She highlighted the significance of the cost and consequences of not being able to live independently for many older adults.
Christopher Weber, Ph.D., senior director of global science initiatives at the Alzheimer's Association, emphasized the importance of starting treatment early. The study suggests that these drugs have a clinically meaningful impact by providing more time in the early stages of the disease when patients maintain more functional independence.
Despite the benefits, Dr. Chris Vercammen, a board-certified internal medicine physician, stressed that while lecanemab and donanemab can extend periods of independence, they do not stop or reverse Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, these drugs are only beneficial for individuals in the early stages of the disease. He advised that anyone considering these treatments should discuss the potential benefits and weigh them against significant risks, such as brain swelling, bleeding, and financial costs, even with insurance coverage.
Dr. Hartz also noted the study's limitations, highlighting that participants were typically highly educated and dedicated to Alzheimer's research. Therefore, the findings may not fully translate to the broader population. She recommended that patients considering these treatments have thorough discussions with their doctors regarding risks and benefits to contextualize how the medications may aid their independence.
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Eisai, the maker of Leqembi, issued a statement that in January, the FDA approved LEQEMBI for an intravenous maintenance dose once every four weeks after 18 months of treatment every two weeks. This adjustment aims to make it easier for patients and care partners to continue treatment, potentially slowing the progression of this chronic disease and prolonging the benefits of therapy.
