Emily Malcolm, PhD, Author at Alzheimer's News Today

Anavex 2-73 is an investigational oral therapy being developed by Anavex Life Sciences to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Anavex 2-73 targets protein misfolding and oxidative stress by binding to a protein called sigma-1. Recent clinical trials have indicated that the treatment may slow cognitive decline in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease. What is Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. As the disease progresses, nerve cells in the brain start to die. The cause of cellular death is not known, but there are theories based on the presence of tau tangles and amyloid plaques in patients’ brains. Tau is a protein that normally helps nutrients move throughout the brain. In Alzheimer's disease, the normal structure of tau is disrupted, and tangles of protein are formed. These tangles may interfere with the function of the protein and prevent nutrient transport in the brain, causing cell death. Amyloid plaques are protein clumps made up of fragments of a protein called beta-amyloid. These clumps may interfere with communication between brain cells, causing cell death. How does Anavex 2-73 work? Anavex 2-73 is a small molecule that activates the sigma-1 receptor, which is known to modulate cellular processes relevant to neurodegeneration. Specifically, Anavex 2-73 is thought to help restore cellular balance by targeting protein misfolding (when proteins fail to fold correctly, into a normal configuration, they do not work as intended), oxidative stress (which damages cells due oxygen molecules with free radicals, or unpaired electrons), mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and cellular stress. The sigma-1 receptor is a small transmembrane protein, a stress-reducing survival protein, mainly located on the endoplasmic reticulum membrane of cells. This receptor also is present on the surface of some nerve cells and multiple other central nervous system cells and tissues. As sigma-1 receptors are present in various sites, different physiological and pathological processes may be influenced by Anavex 2-73 treatment. The brain of a person with Alzheimer's disease has fewer sigma-1 receptors than that of healthy people of the same age. That's why the activation of these receptors could improve the clinical symptoms of the disease and protect against neurologic changes. Anavex 2-73 in clinical trials A Phase 1 clinical trial assessing the safety and pharmacokinetics (movement in the body) of Anavex 2-73 was successfully completed in healthy men in Germany. The maximum tolerated dose of the drug was determined to be 55 mg. A Phase 2 study (NCT02244541) enrolled 32 participants with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease and consisted of two parts. Part A, a five-week study, assessed the safety, tolerability, and maximum tolerated dose of the treatment; part B, a 26-week open-label extension, investigated the continued safety and tolerability of Anavex 2-73, exploring a dose-effect relationship. The results showed a favorable safety profile for Anavex 2-73, which was important for further studies. The most common adverse side effects were minor, such as dizziness and or headache, and most were resolved. The researchers noted that "unexpected" therapeutic responses also were seen, including improved alertness and mood, and better engagement with family and friends. A 104-week, open-label extension study (NCT02756858), which enrolled participants with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease who had taken part in the previous trial, evaluated long-term safety of Anavex 2-73. A total of 21 patients were evaluated over three years. Patients’ cognitive function was assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) while functional changes were measured using the Alzheimer’s disease cooperative study-activities of daily living (ADCS-ADL), a test that assesses the competence of Alzheimer's disease patients in daily living activities. The results of the study showed a significant association between the dosage of Anavex 2-73 and cognitive and function improvements. Anavex was safe and well-tolerated throughout the study. A Phase 2b/3 (NCT03790709) clinical trial is enrolling patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease to receive one of two different doses of Anavex 2-73 or placebo for one year. The study seeks to enroll 450 patients. The primary outcome measure will be any changes in cognitive ability and ADCS-ADL from the start of the study to the end, though other symptoms of Alzheimer's also will be monitored throughout the study. The patients who complete this study will have the opportunity to enroll in ATTENTION-AD, an open-label extension study, for two more years of treatment with Anavex 2-73. Last updated: Oct. 14, 2019 *** Alzheimer’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Nothing Found

Pin It on Pinterest