New Cancer Drug Holds Promising Results For Treatment Against Alzheimer's

As we age, there is an apparent increased risk factor for Alzheimer s disease. What can we do about it? How can we help our loved ones who are exhibiting early symptoms? These questions would arise eventually and we have no way of stopping this disease.
However, a team of scientists conducted an observation of the disease and after noticing its effects, found that there is a certain anti-cancer drug that combats the disease before it even starts. The disease forms crystallized protein clumps which get clogged up and eventually kill the brain cells. The main function of the drug is to prevent the plaques from forming; that is if disseminated early enough to affected individuals.
Based on the Science Advances journal, the scientists studied that the lymphoma treatment drug bexarotene aims to prevent primary nucleation which initiates a response resulting to protein clumps and amyloid plaques.
Although this is a huge breakthrough, the scientists claim that the drug is not a cure for the disease. The drug strengthens the defenses of the human body against the affected proteins in the brain. It decreases the risk factor, but not eliminate the disease entity.
A professor in chemistry at the University of Cambridge and senior author Michele Vendruscolo clarifies that as we get older, our natural defenses against plaques become vulnerable. The professor states though that if the mechanisms of the natural defenses are understood, they might be able to design drugs that act in the same way.
Professor Vendruscolo, as well as other researchers from University of Cambridge, University of Groningen and Lund University, was able to facilitate an experiment that involves giving bexarotene to nematode worms that were genetically modified to exhibit signs of Alzheimer s.
The scientists' findings proved that the drug was effective in suppressing the first phases of plaque formation. However, it was ineffective once the disease symptoms are already present.
When this phase happens, natural proteins change into the wrong shape and latch to other proteins. This creates the amyloid fibrils and oligomers which causes brain damage for patients with Alzheimer s.
The study showcases what happens for each stage in Alzheimer s disease. It reveals the outcome as well if a stage is interrupted or turned off.
A thorough search of a library of 10,000 small molecules was all it took for the scientists to discover the bexarotene. The molecules were compiled when the scientists searched for compounds that interact with amyloid beta (a sticky protein molecule that is vital in the plaque formation for Alzheimer s.)
Professor Chris Dobson, co-author from the chemistry department at University of Cambridge, says that the unsuccessful previous trials do not necessarily mean that it is the wrong molecule. Failure may be attributed to the timing of delivery. The professor explains, "Even if you have an effective molecule, if you target the wrong step in the process, you can actually make things worse by causing toxic protein assemblies to build up elsewhere."
The head of research for Alzheimer s in the UK, Dr. Rosa Sancho, says that the clinical trial involving humans was not a success. Based on Dr. Sancho, the worms experiment will be effective if given in the early stages of Alzheimer s.


Dr. David Tal has more than twenty years of clinical experience. He strongly believes that medical treatment can improve the life of Alzheimer's and memory loss patients of any age. His participation at the Age Matters Clinic allows him to share his knowledge with patients and their families.