Amyloid-based immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease in the time of prevention trials: the way forward

Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2014 Mar;10(3):405-19. doi: 10.1586/1744666X.2014.883921. Epub 2014 Feb 4.

Abstract

Both active and passive anti-β-amyloid (Aβ) immunotherapies for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have demonstrated clearance of brain Aβ deposits. Among passive immunotherapeutics, two Phase III clinical trials in mild-to-moderate AD patients with bapineuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody directed at the N-terminal sequence of Aβ, were disappointing. Also solanezumab, directed at the mid-region of Aβ, failed in two Phase III trials in mild-to-moderate AD. Another Phase III trial with solanezumab is ongoing in mildly affected AD patients based on encouraging results in this subgroup. Second-generation active Aβ vaccines (CAD106, ACC-001, and Affitope AD02) and new passive anti-Aβ immunotherapies (gantenerumab and crenezumab) have been developed and are under clinical testing. These new anti-Aβ immunotherapies are being tested in prodromal AD, in presymptomatic subjects with AD-related mutations, or in asymptomatic subjects at risk of developing AD. These primary and secondary prevention trials will definitely test the Aβ cascade hypothesis of AD.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / immunology
  • Alzheimer Disease / therapy*
  • Amyloid / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Amyloid / immunology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Immunotherapy / trends
  • Vaccines*

Substances

  • Amyloid
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Vaccines
  • gantenerumab
  • solanezumab
  • bapineuzumab
  • crenezumab