Episode 94: The Discussion Surrounding Lecanemab's Approval for Alzheimer Disease

Author(s):

Mind Moments®, a podcast from NeurologyLive®, brings you exclusive commentary from Alberto J. Espay, MD, PhD, and Anton P. Porsteinsson, MD. [LISTEN TIME: 48 minutes]

Anton P. Porsteinsson, MD

Alberto Espay, MD, PhD, the division director and Research Endowed Chair of the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders, and a professor of clinical neurology and rehabilitation medicine at the University of Cincinnati.

Alberto J. Espay, MD, PhD

Episode 94 of the NeurologyLive^® Mind Moments^® podcast is now live! Scroll down to listen or click here to subscribe on your favorite streaming service.

The Mind Moments podcast features exclusive interviews with leaders in the field discussing the latest research and disease management strategies across the breadth of neurology, including epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, dementia, sleep disorders, and more.

Episode 94, "The Discussion Surrounding Lecanemab's Approval for Alzheimer Disease," features an in-depth dive into the recent approval of lecanemab (Leqembi; Eisai) for Alzheimer disease and the ongoing debate about its potential benefit, the amyloid-targeting class of medicines, and the communication of data. Featured in this episode is commentary from 2 experts in neurology clinical care: Anton P. Porsteinsson, MD, the William B. and Sheila Konar Professor of Psychiatry, Neurology, Neuroscience, and Medicine, and the director of the Alzheimer's Disease Care, Research and Education Program at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry; and Alberto Espay, MD, PhD, the division director and Research Endowed Chair of the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders, and a professor of clinical neurology and rehabilitation medicine at the University of Cincinnati.

This episode is brought to you by Medical World News, a streaming channel from MJH Life Sciences^®. Check out new content and shows every day, only at medicalworldnews.com

EPISODE BREAKDOWN

1:45 – Introduction and main findings
3:15 – Espay, with his perspective on the downstream effects of the approval
10:10 – Porsteinsson, with his perspective on the downstream effects of the approval
18:30 – Secondary end points and safety data
20:05 – Porsteinsson, on the recent progress in AD
23:05 – Espay, on contextualizing the effect of amyloid clearance
26:00 – Porsteinsson, on the logistics of the approval
34:20 – Espay, on the lingering unanswered questions
38:20 – Espay, on the communication of data to the public around the amyloid therapies
42:25 – Porsteinsson, on how things evolve going forward

The stories and studies featured in this week's show, as well as additional expert interviews on lecanemab, can be found here:

Show notes:

Additional reading and coverage:

Additional expert interviews:

David Bates, PhD: Downstream Impacts of Lecanemab on Alzheimer Disease, Future Drug Development
Howard Fillit, MD: Lecanemab’s Impact on Care and Diagnosis and the Future of Alzheimer Disease Treatment
Nicole Fowler, PhD, MHSA: Preparing Primary Care Centers for New Wave of Alzheimer Agents
Ronald C. Petersen, MD, PhD: Lessons Learned About Clinically Meaningful Benefit from Antiamyloid Trials
Sharon Cohen, MD, FRCPC: Significance of Expanding Antiamyloid Therapy Class, Toolbox to Treat Alzheimer

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REFERENCES
1. FDA Converts Novel Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment to Traditional Approval. FDA. News release. July 6, 2023. Accessed July 27, 2023. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-converts-novel-alzheimers-disease-treatment-traditional-approval
2. van Dyck CH, Swanson CJ, Aisen P, et al. Lecanemab in early Alzheimer’s disease. N Engl J Med. 2023;388:9-21. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2212948
3. Sims JR, Zimmer JA, Evans CD, et al. Donanemab in Early Symptomatic Alzheimer Disease: The TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. Published online July 17, 2023. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.13239