State of Care for Patients With Parkinson Disease: William Ondo, MD

Author(s):

The professor of neurology at Weill Cornell Medical School commented on the available treatments for Parkinson disease, as well as ongoing therapeutic development.

“There’s a series of neuroprotective agents that are being looked at—the antibody therapies against α-synuclein are exciting, and some of the LRRK2 inhibitors are potentially exciting. As someone that's done this for 28 years, I've been disappointed a number of times…so we're still hopeful that a phase 2b and then a phase 3 study of a neuroprotective agent will some time show irrefutable benefit in Parkinson's disease.”

Data presented at The International Parkinson and Movement Disorders (MDS) Society Virtual Congress 2021, September 17-22, addressed recent developments in Parkinson disease (PD) research. William Ondo, MD, director, Movements Disorders Clinic, Houston Methodist Neurological Institute; and professor of neurology, Weill Cornell Medical College, sat down with NeurologyLive to discuss his involvement with presentations on the pivotal (CTH-300) and long-term (CTH-201) studies of apomorphine sublingual film (Kynmobi; Sunovion), as well as current and prospective treatments for patients with PD.^1-3

While symptomatic treatments “continue to be refined and improved upon,” Ondo commented specifically on the potential of neuroprotective therapies and his hope that a treatment will be identified to address underlying illness for this patient population.

For more coverage of MDS 2021, click here.

REFERENCE

1. Hauser R, Factor S, Ondo W, Zhang I, Pappert E, Navia B. Apomorphine sublingual film for “OFF” episodes in Parkinson’s Disease: Impact of concomitant antiemetics on nausea and vomiting. Presented at: MDS Congress 2021; September 17-22; Virtual. Poster 394.
2. Ondo W, Hauser R, Bowling A, Isaacson S, Pappert E, Navia B. pomorphine Sublingual Film for “OFF” Episodes in Parkinson’s Disease: Characterization of Acute Nausea During Dose Titration. Presented at: MDS Congress 2021; September 17-22; Virtual. Poster 427.
3. Sunovion presents new Kynmobi (apomorphine sublingual film) study data at the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) Congress 2021. News release. Sunovion. September 10, 2021. Accessed September 16, 2021. https://news.sunovion.com/press-releases/press-releases-details/2021/Sunovion-Presents-New-KYNMOBI-apomorphine-sublingual-film-Study-Data-at-the-International-Parkinson-and-Movement-Disorder-Society-MDS-Congress-2021/default.aspx