It is an exciting time for dementia research in the United States! The latest development is another new treatment that could slow down cognitive decline for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Earlier this summer, the U.S Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease: Kisunla.
What is Kisunla?
Kisunla, or donanemab, is a monoclonal antibody infusion. This dementia treatment is intended for those with mild cognitive impairment or in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. It targets amyloid in the brain, which experts consider to be a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. In its current approved form, it is given as an intravenous infusion every four weeks.
Does Kisunla work for Alzheimer’s?
The FDA approved Kisunla as an Alzheimer’s disease treatment based on the results of a clinical trial that included over 1700 participants. Half of the participants were given doses of Kisunla every four weeks for 72 weeks, while the other half received a placebo.
The results, and the implications for the future of Alzheimer’s treatment, were very promising. The study found that Kisunla slowed the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by 35% in patients who received the treatment, compared to the placebo group.
It is important to note since Kisunla was approved by the FDA so recently, more time is needed to determine how the drug performs as a dementia treatment in the real world.
Other Alzheimer’s treatments
Currently, there is one other drug approved to treat Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. Leqembi, a similar treatment to Kisunla, was given full FDA approval in 2023. Both treatments target similar areas of the brain and are intended for use in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.
More treatments and potential cures for Alzheimer’s are currently being studied across the globe. However, as of yet there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease and no other approved treatments besides Leqembi and Kisunla available in the United States.
Impact and Significance
The full approval of Kisunla for the treatment of Alzheimer’s is a huge step forward in our fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, over 6.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and that number is expected to grow in the years to come. As more and more people are impacted by this debilitating disease, finding effective treatments and a cure becomes all the more important.
Now, those with mild cognitive impairment have two options for treatment, both of which have shown promising results in slowing down cognitive decline. Developments like the approval of Kisunla help expand access to Alzheimer’s treatment at a time when it is essential.
We won’t know the full impact of Kisunla for some time, but it is a big step forward in dementia research and provides hope for those looking for better Alzheimer’s treatment options.
Sources:
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/news-events-human-drugs/fda-approves-treatment-adults-alzheimers-disease
