It almost sounds too good to be true. But this much is real, so far: A skin cancer drug that's been around for 10 years has been found to sweep away the protein in the brain, amyloid beta, that's linked with Alzheimer's disease -- at least, in mice. What's more, the effects of the drug, bexarotene, were seen within hours, and within days, reversed the dementia symptoms of the rodents who received it.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, who made the discovery, cautiously say that this makes bexarotene, now used for T-cell lymphoma, "a pretty fantastic drug." The work was reported in the Feb. 9 journal Science. They also emphasize that the findings should be taken in context; animal results don't always translate to people.
“Making the leap from mice to humans is the most difficult step in drug development,” neurologist and neuroscientist Samuel Gandy of Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City says in Science News. “Based just on odds, I would bet against the drug, but the mechanism is novel and appealing, so I'm hoping that it beats the odds.”
Mice that are engineered to develop a form of Alzheimer's develop, as do humans with Alzheimer's, have high levels of beta amyloid. It causes tangles that scramble nerve cell communication, and clusters in large clumps known as plaques. Pathology tests on the mice showed that bexarotene lowered the levels of amyloid beta and also raised the levels of apolipoprotein E, another protein which regulates amlyoid beta to help keep amyloid beta levels low.
After 14 days of treatment, plaque levels fell by 75 percent, the Case Western team reported.
On the plus side, the drug is already FDA-approved, which means that human testing can begin relatively quickly. The bexarotene researchers have formed a company called ReXceptor Inc. and say they'll start human tests in two months.
This kind of development seems especially timely given a recent announcement than $80 million more is to be earmarked for Alzheimer's research beyond the $458 million originally allocated. The exact source of all that funding is still as unclear as whether mice can foretell the future for humans, however.
Image by law_kevin, used under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike licensing agreement.
At least it gives me hopes for the future!!!!
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
Can it be true?
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
LauraKay, Thanks for your voice of reason and for keeping me within reality here. It was a nice thought while it lasted, to think that there may have been a slim chance of seeing my mom return for a bit before she leaves for eternity. I will continue to pray that "The Cure" is found, so that future generations don't have to deal with this disgusting devastating disease that slowly steals our loved ones away from us.
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
I hope we all realize that human trials are done in small studies from very select people who have no other issues (psychological, medical, etc.) and who have a long enough life left for the researchers to study. While every one of us would wish to have our loved one signed up and waiting for the trials, the chances are incredibly slim that any of them will be. Also, those trials won't start for quite a while - even if the drug has already been approved for other purposes. I hate to be Nancy Negative here, but we are all used to the "promising new treatment." It's just important to keep perspective.
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
This info must be new, because my huband's doctor didn't give me any hope at all after our appointment last week. We saw a Geropsychology and all she gave me was a self help book to read. After testing and found he is in the 3rd level of alzheimers.
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
My father is out of town in a Veteran's Alzheimer's facility - I would love to get him in the testing as he is a fighter! We visit him every month and try to keep him going and encouraged. He has vastly slipped away from us, but I pray they will start asap on the testing in humans - would I be able to get my dad signed up to be a test candidate?
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
My 88 yea rold Mother was diagnosed with early Alzheimers. A naturopath said heavy yeast condition leading to organ degeneration and brain fuzz. yeast Condition, Candida, is easily created and fed by a Surpermarket diet and antibiotics. CANDIDA diet along with homeopathic drops. has helped a lot. Add to that Coconut oil and the difference is great. Mother remebers more, is less foggy so more confident and less reactive. More happy. use only high grade extra virgin olive oil.
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
My Mom had severe dementia. I hope that this works for people. I have deep concerns about Alzheimer's affecting me.
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
Wow! This is good news indeed. Let’s follow this study. My mom is “dwindling” rapidly with this disease.
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
Wow! Is this a dream come true? Let’s follow this study!
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
I totally agree with Laurakay's comment! Compare 1st those people that have been taking the drug for skin cancer! I pray it works, and soon... My mom has early-mid severe & is 89. Would love for her to be a candidate in the trials if they start soon. IN EAST TEXAS!
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
my father had it and grandmother on mothers side. also my mom was forgetting a lot of things befor she died.I am forgetting now. bring on the test i would be willing. It is a nasty disease to watch your loved ones have it and forget who you are,and you can see the confusion on their faces.bless all the care givers out there.
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
Will testing be done in WA state? And if so, where does one sign up?
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
This is the most promising research study result that I've ever seen in regards to finding the cure for Alzheimer's Disease. The turn around time in the rats is amazing, with effects being noting within hours and reversal of dementia symptoms within days. Where do you sign up to be one of the "humans" to be part of the research that will be needed on humans to see if there are similar effects as seen in the rat ? Where is this ReXceptor company going to be located? I will continue to pray that "The Cure" is found within my mom's lifetime ♥+♥
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
Hurry! I am already 80 and OK now, but who knows.....
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
AMAZING what (accidental?) connections researchers make. A 75% reduction is significant. Now, if only the success with mice can translate SAFELY to humans. Hope is alive.
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
Sounds interesting. I hope it comes to Britain soon. Mind you if the people from NICE have something to say about it then maybe NOT. But we need something else apart from what we have now.
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
This should not take long if the FDA gets off their butt!
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
This should become a global priority as it affects everyone?
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
I do hope this works out in our lifetime!
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
You'd think they would have been able to gather statistics from those who have already been using the drug to treat skin cancer. What are the proportions of Alzheimer's sufferers among those people compared to the general public? Wouldn't that be a place to start to determine if there's even a CHANCE at a human treatment?
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
It gives me - and everyone affected by Alzheimer's in any way - real hope!
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
Where will the testing be done? How do you apply to be a test subject?
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
How will they pick who will be first to try this new break thru?????
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
to me this is astounding , i have several friends who have parents or relatives who have alzhheimers ! i hate the disease , just like cancer , i am 63 years old and i want to see my friends become happy ! they don't want to become millionaires they just want their families to be healed of those crappy diseases ! and i don't blame them ! wouldn't anybody ? so i will pray that this company will definetly make sure that this is true , so i can see God's children healed and be able to do things ! instead of someone haveing to stay around and take care of them all the time !
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
I would hope that this would be a global priority as is effects everyone? However I could be wrong given our current political leaders!
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou
When does it come to Canada!?
Hugs marlo, mcgeeminou
Prayers amiller919, DonnaSue, etd, GLENDA FROM LEBANON,KENTUCKY, mcgeeminou