Solanezumab for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease

Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2012 Feb;8(2):135-49. doi: 10.1586/eci.11.93.

Abstract

Solanezumab (LY2062430) is a humanized monoclonal antibody that binds to the central region of β-amyloid, a peptide believed to play a key role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Eli Lilly & Co is developing an intravenous formulation of solanezumab for the treatment of mild-to-moderate AD. Acute and subchronic treatment with solanezumab of transgenic mice attenuated or reversed memory deficits with no effects on incidence or severity of cerebral amyloid angiopathy-associated microhemorrhages, a severe side effect associated with bapineuzumab, another monoclonal antibody. Phase II studies in AD patients have shown a good safety profile with encouraging indications on cerebrospinal and plasma biomarkers. The drug is currently being investigated in Phase III trials. While there is a strong hope that solanezumab may represent the first effective passive vaccine for AD treatment, skepticism still exists on the ability of the drug to slow the rate of deterioration in patients with fully established disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Alzheimer Disease / immunology
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / immunology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic
  • Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • solanezumab