Health

FDA-Approved Cancer Drug Showing ‘Great Promise’ as Alzheimer’s Treatment

Case Western Research Shows Cancer Drug Has Promise for Alzheimers TreatmentThere is a promising new treatment for Alzheimer’s coming out of research from neuroscientists at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. But it’s really not new — it’s a drug that has been FDA approved for more than a decade for use in cancer patients.

Bexarotene is currently used to stop the growth of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma cancer cells but the Case Western researchers found that the drug also can reduce plaque build-up in the brain of mice affected with Alzheimer’s.

A statement on the research explains that with the disease, the body loses its ability to clear naturally-occurring proteins from the brain due to a defficiency of Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), which is the main carrier of cholesterol in the brain. In this study, the bexarotene increased production of ApoE and was able to speed clearance of the protein buildup — called amyloid beta.

Within just six hours of administering the drug, researchers saw amyloid beta levels drop by 25 percent with effects lasting three days. The total reduction seen was about 75 percent. Here‘s an example of the drug’s efficacy in reducing some of the effects of Alzheimer’s in the mice:

One example of the improved behaviors involved the typical nesting instinct of the mice. When Alzheimer’s-diseased mice encountered material suited for nesting – in this case, tissue paper – they did nothing to create a space to nest. This reaction demonstrated that they had lost the ability to associate the tissue paper with the opportunity to nest. Just 72 hours after the bexarotene treatment, however, the mice began to use the paper to make nests. Administration of the drug also improved the ability of the mice to sense and respond to odors.

“This is an unprecedented finding,” says Paige Cramer in the statement, a PhD candidate at Case Western and first author of the study. “Previously, the best existing treatment for Alzheimer’s disease in mice required several months to reduce plaque in the brain.”

Learn more about the study in this video from Case Western:

“Many often think of Alzheimer’s as a problem of remembering and learning, but the prevalent reality is this disease spreads throughout the brain, resulting in serious insults to numerous functions,” said Daniel Wesson, assistant professor of neurosciences at Case Western and study co-author. “The results of this study, showing the preservation of behaviors across a wide spectrum, and accompanying brain function, are tremendously exciting and suggest great promise in the utility of this approach in treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.”

With the drug already having approval by the FDA for cancer treatment and a good safety and side effect reputation, the researchers hope these factors will speed the process of getting the drug to human trials.

Comments (24)

  • SFsuper49er
    Posted on February 15, 2012 at 5:34pm

    If we didn‘t have so many hypochondriacs in the world we wouldn’t need 100,000 or more different pills and a pharmacy on everybody block. I understand we need pills but it’s gotten out of hand like the entertainment business

    Report Post »  
    • SFsuper49er
      Posted on February 15, 2012 at 5:38pm

      People spend trillions of dollars on entertainers they don’t even know nor do they know you exist …

      Report Post »  
  • COFemale
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 8:23pm

    Yeah, it might help with Alzheimer’s but the side effects will kill you.

    Report Post » COFemale  
  • thegreatcarnac
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 3:19pm

    Now…..If they could just be a way to remind these people to take their medicine..then all will be well.

    Report Post »  
  • packsack54
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 1:25pm

    Just another poison to dish out to the people. Maybe first start with the congress and senate. They seem to be Brain dead and clueless any way. We would not be lossing much as for test animals. In the Senate Harry no budget for how long? Another 1.3 trillion project budget deficet, They must be brain dead.

    Report Post »  
  • Hmschlmom
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 11:40am

    I hope and pray they are on to something. We are in the middle of this nightmare with my Mother in law, a dear, sweet lady…who deserves far better.

    Report Post » Hmschlmom  
  • Cat
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 10:27am

    Wife’s primary patient is a ‘diagnosed’ Alzheimer’s disease individual
    (Look it up)
    The lady may claim to be a fire truck on Tuesday and a parakeet on Friday
    However, the lady knows exactly how to get to her hairdresser, her manicurist … and her bank
    Which makes this lady of 98, Cass Sunstein’s worst nightmare

    Report Post » Cat  
  • Bryancpe
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 8:55am

    Keep in mind that this showed promise in mice not humans. Alzheimers has been reduced in mice before but the solutions never had any affect on the human brain. I will cross my fingers though.

    Report Post » Bryancpe  
  • 1956
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 8:50am

    This is good news for those who are gong to be suffering from this horrible condition. Too bad this wasn’t available as an option for my mother to try.

    Report Post » 1956  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 7:39am

    Fantastic news! Too many have gone through the agony of watching a loved one go from a person to a shell of themselves. It has happened in our family, and this news is great!

    Report Post »  
  • jacksonnky
    Posted on February 14, 2012 at 1:25am

    I lost my Mom last year to Alzheimers. This is great news!

    Report Post »  
  • CatB
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:53pm

    Sadly under Obamacare .. those over 60 will be exempt from treatment and given a pain pill. Your usefulness is over ….

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-dQfb8WQvo

    Report Post »  
    • Exrepublisheep
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 1:17am

      Unless you’re wealthy, then Gingrich will send over poor kids to wipe your butt and do your dishes.

      Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 1:47am

      More like: “unless you are politically connected.” When politicians run healthcare, then healthcare becomes political. Basic.

      Report Post »  
    • PATTY HENRY
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 4:11am

      Your stupid comment about GINGRICH explains why the poor in this country don’t have a chance. WHAT HE SAID WAS (see if you can comprehend this): In the poorer neighborhoods the unemployment is very high (maybe 50% – my figure) and many of those kids don’t see any work ethic, Mom’s on welfare, no dads etc. SO rather than a county pay a Janitor in a school a huge salary that could employ 12-20 kids , fire the janitor and hire the kids part time. What else can a kid under 16 do? Can’t drive, can’t operate machinery, and this would teach kids what work is like..work earn money of their own. Be on time, do good job. SO WHEN THEY GET TO COLLEGE having learned the work ethic which will inspire them to reach higher (you dumb twit) they will be more prepared.

      GINGRICH was speaking IN FAVOR of poor kids getting a chance to work (to earn $, teach them things about the real world, give them a “way out”) ….what part of that can’t you get? YOU childish, defensive, pathetic whiner. Liberals give me heartburn. YOU LIBERALS have no clue about how to really build a good life, do you???

      Report Post » PATTY HENRY  
    • midwesthippie
      Posted on February 14, 2012 at 5:38am

      …patty…on topic please. save your stumping for another post…thanks, the blaze. and now on topic…let’s hope this is not another miracle drug that does not work. i’m sure the FDA will be thorough before unleashing yet another drug on an already over-medicated society.

      Report Post » midwesthippie  
  • moomaw10
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:52pm

    If true,this would be great news…Alzheimers is a dreadful disease…

    Report Post »  
  • Grasshopper42
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:49pm

    There‘s been a cure for cancer since the 1960’s.

    http://www.fourwinds10.net/siterun_data/bellringers_corner/people_of_the_lie/news.php?q=1328765003

    Report Post » Grasshopper42  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:38pm

    What was this article about….Feeding what???? or Democ-rats??

    Report Post » banjarmon  
  • brother_ed
    Posted on February 13, 2012 at 11:32pm

    I was going to comment, but I can’t remember what I was going to say…

    Seriously though, good news if true.

    Report Post » brother_ed  

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