Cancer Drug Model Could Be A Potential Treatment For Alzheimer's - Alzheimer's Society Comment

Treatments modelled on the cancer drug Gleevec could potentially prevent the formation of amyloid plaques - one of the major hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease according to a study.


Treatments modelled on the cancer drug Gleevec could potentially prevent the formation of amyloid plaques - one of the major hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease according to a study published in the journal Nature.


Researchers at the Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience in the U.S. tested the drug on mice and found that Gleevec has the ability to attach itself to a protein (GSAP). GSAP promotes the production of plaques in the brain and is therefore a potential target for anti-amyloid treatments.


Alzheimer's Society comment:


'This study provides us with exciting new information about a protein that has been found to promote the production of amyloid plaques - a major hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. Although the drug highlighted in the report targets this protein and is available and safety tested, this research is in the early stages and we are some way from this being a viable treatment for Alzheimer's.


'A million people will develop dementia in the next ten years yet dementia research receives eight times less investment than cancer research. We must invest now if we are to move forward in the development of effective Alzheimer's treatments.'


Dr Susanne Sorensen

Head of Research


Ref: Gen He et al., 'Gamma-secretase activating protein is a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease', Nature, 2 September 2010


Source:

Alzheimer's Society


View drug information on Gleevec.