The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has given the green light to the marketing of Leqembi, an innovative treatment against Alzheimer’s disease. Following an in-depth review, this decision opens new perspectives for early-stage patients.
What is Leqembi?
The mode of action of Leqembi is based on a precise mechanism: it specifically targets amyloid plaques these protein deposits characteristic of the disease which accumulate between neurons.
By binding to these plaques, it promotes their elimination by the brain’s immune system, which helps to reduce the toxicity exerted on neurons. This helps slow the progression of degeneration and preserve the cognitive functions of patients at an early stage.
It should be noted that Leqembi not only reduces the amount of amyloid plaques, but also interacts with other pathological processes related to Alzheimer’s disease. Indeed, amyloid plaques are only one of the elements involved in the complexity of this neurodegenerative condition.
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For the moment, no details have been given regarding the reimbursement terms of this medication. It is therefore still too early to say whether theHealth insurance will take charge of it in full or if it will be necessary to involve his contract of mutual health insurance.
Eligibility criteria for treatment with Leqembi
The marketing authorization for Leqembi issued by the European Medicines Agency constitutes an important step. However, it does not mean that this treatment is accessible to all. Alzheimer’s patients. The EMA has defined very precise inclusion criteria in order to guarantee the optimal use of this medicine and to minimize possible risks.
Thus, Leqembi is mainly intended for patients in the early phase of the disease, that is to say those with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia.. This restriction is explained by the fact that treatment is more effective when brain damage is still limited.
In addition, patients must carry specific biological markers of the condition, such as the presence of amyloid plaques in the cerebrospinal fluid, in order to confirm the diagnosis.
And moreover, a genetic risk factor, the ApoE4 gene, plays a determining role in eligibility for treatment.
Indeed, patients with two copies of this gene are at increased risk of serious side effects, including brain hemorrhages. Therefore, Leqembi is generally not recommended for these people.
- The European Medicines Agency has approved Leqembi.
- This innovative treatment targets amyloid plaques in the brains of early-stage Alzheimer’s patients.
- This drug slows the progression of the disease, thus offering new therapeutic perspectives.
- However, its use is strictly regulated and reserved for patients meeting specific eligibility criteria, particularly in terms of stage of the disease and genetic profile.
