Poster Presentation Sheds Light on Alzheimer Disease Preventative Treatments

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New research presented at the Clinical Trials in Alzheimers Disease (CTAD) annual Alzheimer conference shared information new, innovative treatments for Alzheimer disease.¹ Since γ-secretase modulators (GSMs) represent a promising class of orally available amyloid beta (Aβ) modulatory agents for the treatment of early Alzheimer disease (AD), researchers explored GSMs’ effects on other γ-secretase reactions.²

The abstract, titled “Gamma-Secretase Modulators Show Selectivity for Gamma-Secretase-Mediated Aβ Production,” was written by Helena Karlström, PhD, at Karolinska Institutet and Erik Portelius, PhD, at the University of Gothenburg, amongst others.1 The research results provides a sense of what targeted therapies would be most beneficial as preventative treatments. Specifically, they found²:

1. γ -Secretase processing of EphB2 and EphA4 results in the release of multiple Aβ-like peptides;

2.GSMs developed for Aβ modulation do not appear effective on modulating γ-secretase mediated EphB2 and EphA4 processing; and

3. The GSM AZ4126 modulates the pattern of EphA4-derived Aβ-like peptides differently as compared to its effect on Aβ.

The poster was presented by AlzeCure Pharma AB, as a pharmaceutical company developing a broad portfolio of drug candidates for diseases affecting the central nervous system. They are currently exploring a disease-modifying preventive drugs intended as treatment for AD within the Alzstatin platform. Studies specifically on the primary drug candidate in the Alzstatin platform, ACD679, are underway.

The Alzstatin platform specifically focuses on reducing the production of toxic Aβ in the brain, as it begins to build up in the brain years before AD symptoms develop. γ-secretase snips out Aβ from a longer protein strand, thus effectively producing a potent disease-altering effect. This class of drugs, or gamma-secretory modulators, are the current priority of the Alzstatin platform.

“The approval of the abstract and the chance to present at one of the leading Alzheimer conferences is a strong validation of our research and development. The medical need for effective treatment to prevent Alzheimer’s is still massive and I look forward to the continued development of our drug candidates within the platform,” Martin Jönsson, CEO of AlzeCure Pharma AB, said to the press.³

The abstract and presentation is also available online at AlzeCure’s website.

References

1. AlzeCure Pharma. Presentations and Interviews. Accessed November 12, 2020. https://www.alzecurepharma.se/en/presentations-and-interviews/​

2. Lundkvist J, Weber TA, Wanngren J, et al. Gamma-Secretase Modulators Show Selectivity for Gamma-Secretase-Mediated Aβ Production. Accessed November 14, 2020.

https://player.vimeo.com/video/477920161

3. AlzeCure. Poster presentation with the Alzstatin platform now available on AlzeCure's website. News release. November 11, 2020. https://news.cision.com/alzecure-pharma-ab/r/poster-presentation-with-the-alzstatin-platform-now-available-on-alzecure-s-website,c3234735​