New Evidence Confirms Safety and Efficacy of Lecanemab for Early-Stage Alzheimer’s

Lecanemab: A New Hope in Alzheimer’s Treatment

The FDA approved the drug lecanemab, marketed as Leqembi, in 2023 for treating Alzheimer’s disease. Recent real-world studies affirm its safety, showing that serious side effects like amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) are rare and manageable, especially when used early.

Lecanemab is a type of antibody designed to target amyloid proteins in the brain, which form plaques associated with Alzheimer’s. Clinical trials have demonstrated that patients receiving lecanemab experienced a 25-30% slower decline in cognitive functions over 18 months compared to untreated groups. Imaging effects also showed reductions or clearance of amyloid plaques.

A new study published in JAMA Neurology involving 234 patients at Washington University observed that only 1.8% of those with very mild Alzheimer’s symptoms showed ARIA symptoms, compared to 27% in those with more advanced stages. Most ARIA cases were mild and resolved within months, with no fatalities.

Experts highlight that early diagnosis is crucial as early-stage patients benefit the most. Continued research aims to better identify individuals at higher risk of ARIA, to optimize treatment safety.

While lecanemab offers hope, physicians emphasize careful patient selection and monitoring to balance benefits against risks such as side effects and ARIA. Ongoing studies and real-world data will help refine these treatments and expand options for managing Alzheimer’s disease.