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Nguyen HV, Mital S, Knopman DS, Alexander GC. Cost-Effectiveness of Lecanemab for Individuals With Early-Stage Alzheimer Disease. Neurology 2024; 102:e209218. [PMID: 38484190 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000209218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Little is known regarding the cost-effectiveness of lecanemab (Leqembi), a monoclonal antibody approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in January 2023 for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia due to Alzheimer disease (AD). This study aims to quantify the cost-effectiveness of lecanemab and how it varies based on the accuracy of AD testing and individuals' APOE ε4 status. METHODS Seven alternative test-treat-target strategies defined by combinations of testing approaches (PET, CSF, or plasma assay), treatment choices (standard of care [SoC] alone or lecanemab in addition to SoC), and targeting strategies (targeting APOE ε4 noncarriers or heterozygous patients or not) were compared. A hybrid decision tree-Markov cohort model was constructed with 5 states: (1) MCI (Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes [CDR-SB] 0-4.5); (2) mild dementia (CDR-SB 4.6-9.5); (3) moderate dementia (CDR-SB 9.6-16); (4) severe dementia (CDR-SB >16); and (5) death. Effectiveness was measured by quality-adjusted life years and costs from third-party and societal perspectives were estimated in 2022 US dollars over a lifetime horizon. RESULTS Among the 7 test-treat-target strategies, SoC alone was the optimal strategy from a cost-effectiveness perspective. Neither targeted lecanemab treatment nor treatment unrestricted by APOE ε4 genotype was cost-effective vs SoC alone, regardless of the test used to diagnose patients with early-stage AD. However, CSF assay followed by targeted treatment would become cost-effective if lecanemab is priced below $5,100 per year. These results were robust to the accuracy of diagnostic testing and rates of lecanemab discontinuation and adverse events. DISCUSSION Neither targeted lecanemab treatment nor treatment unrestricted by APOE ε4 genotype is cost-effective vs SoC alone for patients with MCI or mild dementia due to AD. Lecanemab would be cost-effective in some settings if priced below $5,100 per year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai V Nguyen
- From the School of Pharmacy (H.V.N.), Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador; College of Pharmacy (S.M.), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Department of Neurology (D.S.K.), Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN; Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness (G.C.A.), and Department of Epidemiology (G.C.A.), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; and Division of General Internal Medicine (G.C.A.), Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Shweta Mital
- From the School of Pharmacy (H.V.N.), Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador; College of Pharmacy (S.M.), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Department of Neurology (D.S.K.), Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN; Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness (G.C.A.), and Department of Epidemiology (G.C.A.), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; and Division of General Internal Medicine (G.C.A.), Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - David S Knopman
- From the School of Pharmacy (H.V.N.), Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador; College of Pharmacy (S.M.), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Department of Neurology (D.S.K.), Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN; Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness (G.C.A.), and Department of Epidemiology (G.C.A.), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; and Division of General Internal Medicine (G.C.A.), Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - G Caleb Alexander
- From the School of Pharmacy (H.V.N.), Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland & Labrador; College of Pharmacy (S.M.), University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada; Department of Neurology (D.S.K.), Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN; Center for Drug Safety and Effectiveness (G.C.A.), and Department of Epidemiology (G.C.A.), Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; and Division of General Internal Medicine (G.C.A.), Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD
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McDiarmid AH, Gospodinova KO, Elliott RJR, Dawson JC, Graham RE, El-Daher MT, Anderson SM, Glen SC, Glerup S, Carragher NO, Evans KL. Morphological profiling in human neural progenitor cells classifies hits in a pilot drug screen for Alzheimer's disease. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae101. [PMID: 38576795 PMCID: PMC10994270 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60-70% of dementia cases. Current treatments are inadequate and there is a need to develop new approaches to drug discovery. Recently, in cancer, morphological profiling has been used in combination with high-throughput screening of small-molecule libraries in human cells in vitro. To test feasibility of this approach for Alzheimer's disease, we developed a cell morphology-based drug screen centred on the risk gene, SORL1 (which encodes the protein SORLA). Increased Alzheimer's disease risk has been repeatedly linked to variants in SORL1, particularly those conferring loss or decreased expression of SORLA, and lower SORL1 levels are observed in post-mortem brain samples from individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Consistent with its role in the endolysosomal pathway, SORL1 deletion is associated with enlarged endosomes in neural progenitor cells and neurons. We, therefore, hypothesized that multi-parametric, image-based cell phenotyping would identify features characteristic of SORL1 deletion. An automated morphological profiling method (Cell Painting) was adapted to neural progenitor cells and used to determine the phenotypic response of SORL1-/- neural progenitor cells to treatment with compounds from a small internationally approved drug library (TargetMol, 330 compounds). We detected distinct phenotypic signatures for SORL1-/- neural progenitor cells compared to isogenic wild-type controls. Furthermore, we identified 16 compounds (representing 14 drugs) that reversed the mutant morphological signatures in neural progenitor cells derived from three SORL1-/- induced pluripotent stem cell sub-clones. Network pharmacology analysis revealed the 16 compounds belonged to five mechanistic groups: 20S proteasome, aldehyde dehydrogenase, topoisomerase I and II, and DNA synthesis inhibitors. Enrichment analysis identified DNA synthesis/damage/repair, proteases/proteasome and metabolism as key pathways/biological processes. Prediction of novel targets revealed enrichment in pathways associated with neural cell function and Alzheimer's disease. Overall, this work suggests that (i) a quantitative phenotypic metric can distinguish induced pluripotent stem cell-derived SORL1-/- neural progenitor cells from isogenic wild-type controls and (ii) phenotypic screening combined with multi-parametric high-content image analysis is a viable option for drug repurposing and discovery in this human neural cell model of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina H McDiarmid
- Centre for Genomic & Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Katerina O Gospodinova
- Centre for Genomic & Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Richard J R Elliott
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - John C Dawson
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Rebecca E Graham
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Marie-Therese El-Daher
- Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Susan M Anderson
- Centre for Genomic & Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Sophie C Glen
- Centre for Genomic & Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Simon Glerup
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Neil O Carragher
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Kathryn L Evans
- Centre for Genomic & Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK
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Cummings J, Osse AML, Cammann D, Powell J, Chen J. Anti-Amyloid Monoclonal Antibodies for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. BioDrugs 2024; 38:5-22. [PMID: 37955845 PMCID: PMC10789674 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-023-00633-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
Two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), aducanumab and lecanemab, have received accelerated approval from the US FDA for initiation of treatment in early Alzheimer's disease patients who have proven β-amyloid pathology (Aβ). One of these, lecanemab, has subsequently received full approval and other monoclonal antibodies are poised for positive review and approval. Anti-amyloid mAbs share the feature of producing a marked reduction in total brain Aβ revealed by amyloid positron emission tomography. Trials associated with slowing of cognitive decline have achieved a reduction in measurable plaque Aβ in the range of 15-25 centiloids; trials of agents that did not reach this threshold were not associated with cognitive benefit. mAbs have differences in terms of titration schedules, MRI monitoring schedules for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), and continuing versus interrupted therapy. The approximate 30% slowing of decline observed with mAbs is clinically meaningful in terms of extended cognitive integrity and delay of onset of the more severe dementia phases of Alzheimer's disease. Approval of these agents initiates a new era in Alzheimer's disease therapeutics with disease-modifying properties. Further advances are needed, i.e. greater efficacy, improved safety, enhanced convenience, and better understanding of ill-understood observations such as brain volume loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey Cummings
- Department of Brain Health, Chambers-Grundy Center for Transformative Neuroscience, School of Integrated Health Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), Las Vegas, NV, USA.
- Department of Brain Health, School of Integrated Health Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), Las Vegas, NV, USA.
- , 1380 Opal Valley Street, Henderson, NV, 89052, USA.
| | - Amanda M Leisgang Osse
- Department of Brain Health, Chambers-Grundy Center for Transformative Neuroscience, School of Integrated Health Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), Las Vegas, NV, USA
- Department of Brain Health, School of Integrated Health Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Davis Cammann
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Jayde Powell
- Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Jingchun Chen
- Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), Las Vegas, NV, USA
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Rhodius-Meester HFM, Paajanen T, Lötjönen J. cCOG Web-Based Cognitive Assessment Tool. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2785:311-320. [PMID: 38427202 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3774-6_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Cognitive testing is an essential part of clinical diagnostics and clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease. Digital cognitive tests hold a great opportunity to provide more versatile and cost-efficient patient pathways through flexible testing including at home. In this work, we describe a web-based cognitive test, cCOG, that can be used in screening, differential diagnosis, and monitoring the progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanneke F M Rhodius-Meester
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Internal medicine, Geriatric Medicine section, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, The Memory Clinic, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Teemu Paajanen
- Work ability and Working Careers, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
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Crowell V, Reyes A, Zhou SQ, Vassilaki M, Gsteiger S, Gustavsson A. Disease severity and mortality in Alzheimer's disease: an analysis using the U.S. National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center Uniform Data Set. BMC Neurol 2023; 23:302. [PMID: 37580727 PMCID: PMC10424331 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-023-03353-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Evidence on the relative risk of death across all stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is lacking but greatly needed for the evaluation of new interventions. We used data from the Uniform Data Set (UDS) of the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) to assess the expected survival of a person progressing to a particular stage of AD and the relative risk of death for a person in a particular stage of AD compared with cognitively normal (CN) people. METHODS This was a retrospective observational cohort study of mortality and its determinants in participants with incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD or AD dementia compared with CN participants. Overall survival and hazard ratios of all-cause mortality in participants ≥ 50 years of age with clinically assessed or diagnosed MCI due to AD, or mild, moderate, or severe AD dementia, confirmed by Clinical Dementia Rating scores, versus CN participants were estimated, using NACC UDS data. Participants were followed until death, censoring, or until information to determine disease stage was missing. RESULTS Aged between 50 and 104 years, 12,414 participants met the eligibility criteria for the study. Participants progressing to MCI due to AD or AD dementia survived a median of 3-12 years, with higher mortality observed in more severe stages. Risk of death increased with the severity of AD dementia, with the increase significantly higher at younger ages. Participants with MCI due to AD and CN participants had a similar risk of death after controlling for confounding factors. CONCLUSIONS Relative all-cause mortality risk increases with AD severity, more so at younger ages. Mortality does not seem to be higher for those remaining in MCI due to AD. Findings might imply potential benefit of lower mortality if preventing or delaying the progression of AD is successful, and importantly, this potential benefit might be greater in relatively younger people. Future research should replicate our study in other samples more representative of the general US population as well as other populations around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Maria Vassilaki
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Anders Gustavsson
- Quantify Research, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Yigit V, Kalender S, Cetinturk I. Is Aducanumab treatment developed to prevent progression of Alzheimer's disease cost-effective in Turkey? Cost Eff Resour Alloc 2023; 21:51. [PMID: 37559042 PMCID: PMC10410945 DOI: 10.1186/s12962-023-00463-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's Disease (AD), the most common type of dementia, is a chronic, progressive, and neurodegenerative brain discomfort that causes the be damage to brain cells. Although there is no definitive treatment for AD, various drug treatments are used to reduce and control the symptoms of the disease. Developed for the treatment of mild-stage Alzheimer's patients, Aducanumab is the only drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the past two decades. However, the cost is very high and, in many countries, Aducanumab has not been approved due to insufficient clinical efficacy and lack of evidence yet. This study aims to analyze the cost-effectiveness of Aducanumab, which was developed for the treatment of mild-stage AD, from the patient's perspective. METHODS In the study, the Markov model was developed to determine the cost-effectiveness of Aducanumab compared to Standard of Care (SoC) therapy over a 5-year horizon. Cost and effectiveness data were taken from the literature. In the study, the discount rate was determined as 6%. The results were presented as the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), which represents the cost per quality-adjusted life years (QALY). The results were retested with a one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA) due to possible uncertainties in the research parameters. The results were presented with the tornado diagram and the scatter plots. RESULTS With the Markov model, the total costs of Aducanumab and SoC treatments over a 5-year horizon were found to be 98.068 $ and 21.292 $, respectively. Aducanumab treatment had an incremental gain of 0.64 QALY and an incremental cost of 76.776 $ compared to the SoC treatment. The ICER value, which shows the additional cost per QALY of Aducanumab, was 119.408 $/QALY. As a result of the study, it was determined that Aducanumab was not cost-effective when compared to SoC treatment. Sensitivity analysis results showed stability against uncertainties. Aducanumab was confirmed not to be cost-effective with its current price and potential clinical benefit. CONCLUSION The result of the research is considered important in terms of providing evidence-based information on the cost-effectiveness of Aducanumab in Turkey. However, further, research is needed to evaluate Aducanumab's clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahit Yigit
- Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Health Management Department, Suleyman Demirel University, 32200, Isparta, Turkey
| | - Selin Kalender
- Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Health Management Department, Suleyman Demirel University, 32200, Isparta, Turkey.
| | - Iskender Cetinturk
- Health Social Sciences Institute, Health Economics Doctorate Program, Suleyman Demirel University, 32200, Isparta, Turkey
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Tahami Monfared AA, Fu S, Hummel N, Qi L, Chandak A, Zhang R, Zhang Q. Estimating Transition Probabilities Across the Alzheimer's Disease Continuum Using a Nationally Representative Real-World Database in the United States. Neurol Ther 2023; 12:1235-1255. [PMID: 37256433 PMCID: PMC10310620 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-023-00498-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Clinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) begins with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and progresses to mild, moderate, or severe dementia, constituting a disease continuum that eventually leads to death. This study aimed to estimate the probabilities of transitions across those disease states. METHODS We developed a mixed-effects multi-state Markov model to estimate the transition probabilities, adjusted for 5 baseline covariates, using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) database. HRS surveys older adults in the United States bi-annually. Alzheimer states were defined using the modified Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status (TICS-m). RESULTS A total of 11,292 AD patients were analyzed. Patients were 70.8 ± 9.0 years old, 54.9% female, and with 12.0 ± 3.3 years of education. Within 1 year from the initial state, the model estimated a higher probability of transition to the next AD state in earlier disease: 12.8% from MCI to mild AD and 5.0% from mild to moderate AD, but < 1% from moderate to severe AD. After 10 years, the probability of transition to the next state was markedly higher for all states, but still higher in earlier disease: 29.8% from MCI to mild AD, 23.5% from mild to moderate AD, and 5.7% from moderate to severe AD. Across all AD states, the probability of transition to death was < 5% after 1 year and > 15% after 10 years. Older age, fewer years of education, unemployment, and nursing home stay were associated with a higher risk of disease progression (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS This analysis shows that the risk of progression is greater in earlier AD states, increases over time, and is higher in patients who are older, with fewer years of education, unemployed, or in a nursing home at baseline. The estimated transition probabilities can provide guidance for future disease management and clinical trial design optimization, and can be used to refine existing cost-effectiveness frameworks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Abbas Tahami Monfared
- Eisai Inc., 200 Metro Blvd, Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA.
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Shuai Fu
- Certara, Integrated Drug Development, Office 610, South Tower, HongKong Plaza, No. 283 Huaihai Road Middle, Huangpu District, Shanghai, China
| | - Noemi Hummel
- Certara GmbH, Chesterplatz 1, 79539, Lörrach, Germany
| | - Luyuan Qi
- Certara Sarl, 54 Rue de Londres, 75008, Paris, France
| | - Aastha Chandak
- Certara Inc., 100 Overlook Center, Suite 101, Princeton, NJ, 08540, USA
| | | | - Quanwu Zhang
- Eisai Inc., 200 Metro Blvd, Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA
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Salemme S, Ancidoni A, Locuratolo N, Piscopo P, Lacorte E, Canevelli M, Vanacore N. Advances in amyloid-targeting monoclonal antibodies for Alzheimer's disease: clinical and public health issues. Expert Rev Neurother 2023; 23:1113-1129. [PMID: 37975226 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2023.2284305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major global public health challenge. To date, no treatments have been shown to stop the underlying pathological processes. The cerebral accumulation of amyloid-beta (Ab) is still considered as the primum movens of AD and disease-modifying treatments targeting Ab are reaching - or have already reached - clinical practice. AREAS COVERED The authors explore the main advancements from Aβ-targeting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for the treatment of AD. From a public health perspective, they address ethically relevant issues such as the benevolence and non-maleficence principles. They report on the potential biological and clinical benefits of these drugs, discussing minimal clinically important differences (MCID) and other relevant outcomes. They examine the short- and long-term effects of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), and explore the differences between eligibility criteria in clinical trials, appropriate use recommendations, and prescribing information content. In doing so, they contextualize the discussion on the disagreements among different regulatory authorities. EXPERT OPINION Although anti-β-amyloid monoclonal antibodies may be effective in selected scenarios, non-negligible knowledge gaps and implementation limits persist. Overcoming these gaps can no longer be postponed if we are to ensure the principles of Quality of Care for patients with cognitive impairment who would be eligible for this class of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Salemme
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic, and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Antonio Ancidoni
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Locuratolo
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Piscopo
- Department of Neuroscience, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Lacorte
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Canevelli
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
- Department of Human Neuroscience, "Sapienza" University, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Vanacore
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
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Tahami Monfared AA, Ye W, Sardesai A, Folse H, Chavan A, Aruffo E, Zhang Q. A Path to Improved Alzheimer's Care: Simulating Long-Term Health Outcomes of Lecanemab in Early Alzheimer's Disease from the CLARITY AD Trial. Neurol Ther 2023; 12:863-881. [PMID: 37009976 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-023-00473-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disease, is the main cause of dementia and one of the leading causes of death for elderly people in the USA. Lecanemab is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody targeting amyloid protofibrils for the treatment of early AD [i.e., mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild AD dementia]. In a recent 18-month phase III trial, using a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, lecanemab treatment led to reduced brain amyloid burden and significant improvements in cognitive and functional abilities in individuals with early AD. METHODS An evidence-based patient-level disease simulation model was updated to estimate the long-term health outcomes of lecanemab plus standard of care (SoC) compared to SoC alone in patients with early AD and evidence of brain amyloid burden, using recent phase III trial data and published literature. The disease progression is described by changes in the underlying biomarkers of AD, including measures of amyloid and tau, and their connection to the clinical presentation of the disease assessed through various patient-level scales of cognition and function. RESULTS Lecanemab treatment was estimated to slow the progression of AD to moderate and severe stages and reduce the time spent in these more advanced states. In individuals with early AD, lecanemab plus SoC was associated with a gain of 0.71 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), a 2.95-year delay in mean time to progression to AD dementia, a reduction of 0.11 years in institutional care, and an additional 1.07 years in community care as shown in the base-case study. Improved health outcomes were demonstrated with lecanemab treatment when initiated earlier based on age, disease severity, or tau pathology, resulting in estimated gains in QALYs ranging from 0.77 to 1.09 years, compared to 0.4 years in the mild AD dementia subset, as shown by the model. CONCLUSION The study findings demonstrate the potential clinical value of lecanemab for individuals with early AD by slowing down disease progression and prolonging time in earlier stages of disease, which significantly benefits not only patients and caregivers but also society overall. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT03887455.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Abbas Tahami Monfared
- Eisai Inc., 200 Metro Blvd., Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA.
- Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Weicheng Ye
- Evidence Synthesis, Modeling and Communication, Evidera Inc., Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Aditya Sardesai
- Evidence Synthesis, Modeling and Communication, Evidera Inc., Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Henri Folse
- Evidence Synthesis, Modeling and Communication, Evidera Inc., Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Ameya Chavan
- Evidence Synthesis, Modeling and Communication, Evidera Inc., Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Elena Aruffo
- Evidence Synthesis, Modeling and Communication, Evidera Inc., Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Quanwu Zhang
- Eisai Inc., 200 Metro Blvd., Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA
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Alonso Torrens A, Mitchell CA, Pourshahidi LK, Murphy BÓ, Allwood W, Rizzetto L, Scholz M, Tuohy K, Pereira-Caro G, Moreno-Rojas JM, McDougall G, Gill CIR. Long-term supplementation with anthocyanin-rich or -poor Rubus idaeus berries does not influence microvascular architecture nor cognitive outcome in the APP/PS-1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2023; 74:33-50. [PMID: 36450698 DOI: 10.1080/09637486.2022.2141209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Disruption of microvascular architecture is a common pathogenic mechanism in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Given the anti-angiogenic activity of berry (poly)phenols, we investigated whether long-term feeding of Rubus idaeus (raspberries) could ameliorate cerebral microvascular pathology and improve cognition in the APP/PS-1 mouse model of AD. Male C57Bl/6J mice (50 wild type, 50 APP/PS-1) aged 4-months were fed for 24-weeks, with a normal diet enriched with either 100 mg/day glucose (control diet) or supplemented with glucose and freeze-dried anthocyanin-rich (red) or -poor (yellow) raspberries (100 mg/day) and assessed/sampled post intervention. Cerebral microvascular architecture of wild-type mice was characterised by regularly spaced capillaries with uniform diameters, unlike APP/PS-1 transgenic mice which showed dysregulated microvascular architecture. Long-term feeding of raspberries demonstrated limited modulation of microbiota and no substantive effect on microvascular architecture or cognition in either mice model although changes were evident in endogenous cerebral and plasmatic metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Alonso Torrens
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Centre for Molecular Biosciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Christopher A Mitchell
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Centre for Molecular Biosciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - L Kirsty Pourshahidi
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Centre for Molecular Biosciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - Brian Óg Murphy
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Centre for Molecular Biosciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
| | - William Allwood
- Plant Biochemistry and Food Quality Group, Environmental and Biochemical Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, Scotland
| | - Lisa Rizzetto
- Nutrition and Nutrigenomics Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, San Michele all'Adige, Trentino, Italy
| | - Matthias Scholz
- Nutrition and Nutrigenomics Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, San Michele all'Adige, Trentino, Italy
| | - Kieran Tuohy
- Nutrition and Nutrigenomics Unit, Research and Innovation Centre, San Michele all'Adige, Trentino, Italy
| | - Gema Pereira-Caro
- Department of Food Science and Health, Andalusian Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training (IFAPA), Alameda del Obispo, Córdoba, Spain.,Foods for Health Group, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
| | - José Manuel Moreno-Rojas
- Department of Food Science and Health, Andalusian Institute of Agricultural and Fisheries Research and Training (IFAPA), Alameda del Obispo, Córdoba, Spain.,Foods for Health Group, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
| | - Gordon McDougall
- Plant Biochemistry and Food Quality Group, Environmental and Biochemical Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, Scotland
| | - Chris I R Gill
- Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE), Centre for Molecular Biosciences, University of Ulster, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, UK
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11
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Sandison H, Callan NG, Rao RV, Phipps J, Bradley R. Observed Improvement in Cognition During a Personalized Lifestyle Intervention in People with Cognitive Decline. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 94:993-1004. [PMID: 37355891 PMCID: PMC10473097 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic condition marked by progressive objective cognitive impairment (OCI). No monotherapy has substantially altered disease progression, suggesting the disease is multifactorial and may require a multimodal therapeutic approach. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine if cognitive function in a sample with OCI would change in response to a multimodal, individualized care plan based on potential contributors to cognitive decline (e.g., nutritional status, infection, etc.). METHODS Participants (n = 34) were recruited from the San Diego, CA area. The multimodal intervention included lifestyle changes (i.e., movement, diet, and stress management), nutraceutical support, and medications. It was delivered pragmatically over four clinical visits, and outcome measures were gathered at four study visits, occurring at baseline, one, three, and six months (primary endpoint). Study participants received weekly phone calls for nutrition support throughout study participation. Outcome measures included the Cambridge Brain Sciences (CBS) battery, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). RESULTS At 6 months, mean MoCA scores improved from 19.6±3.1 to 21.7±6.2 (p = 0.013). Significant improvement was observed in mean scores of the CBS memory domain [25.2 (SD 23.3) to 35.8 (SD 26.9); p < 0.01] and CBS overall composite cognition score [24.5 (SD 16.1) to 29.7 (SD 20.5); p = 0.02]. All CBS domains improved. CONCLUSION Multiple measures of cognitive function improved after six months of intervention. Our results support the feasibility and impact of a multimodal, individualized treatment approach to OCI, warranting further research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nini G.L. Callan
- Helfgott Research Institute, National University of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR, USA
| | | | - John Phipps
- Helfgott Research Institute, National University of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Ryan Bradley
- Helfgott Research Institute, National University of Natural Medicine, Portland, OR, USA
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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12
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Villain N, Planche V, Levy R. High-clearance anti-amyloid immunotherapies in Alzheimer's disease. Part 1: Meta-analysis and review of efficacy and safety data, and medico-economical aspects. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2022; 178:1011-1030. [PMID: 36184326 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2022.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In 2021, aducanumab, an immunotherapy targeting amyloid-β, was approved for Alzheimer's disease (AD) by the US Food and Drug Administration thanks to positive results on a putative biological surrogate marker. This approval has raised an unprecedented controversy. It was followed by a refusal of the European Medicine Agency, which does not allow the marketing of drugs solely on biological arguments and raised safety issues, and important US coverage limitations by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Two other anti-amyloid immunotherapies showed significant results regarding a clinical outcome in phase 2 trials, and five drugs are being studied in phase 3 trials. Compared to those tested in previous trials of the 2010s, the common feature and novelty of these anti-amyloid immunotherapies is their ability to induce a high clearance of amyloid load, as measured with positron emission tomography, in the brain of early-stage biomarker-proven AD patients. Here, we review the available evidence regarding efficacy and safety data and medico-economical aspects for high-clearance anti-amyloid immunotherapies. We also perform frequentist and Bayesian meta-analyses of the clinical efficacy and safety of the highest dose groups from the two aducanumab phase 3 trials and the donanemab and lecanemab phase 2 trials. When pooled together, the data from high-clearance anti-amyloid immunotherapies trials confirm a statistically significant clinical effect of these drugs on cognitive decline after 18 months (difference in cognitive decline measured with CDR-SB after 18 months between the high dose immunotherapy groups vs. placebo = -0.24 points; P=0.04, frequentist random-effect model), with results on ADAS-Cog being the most statistically robust. However, this effect remains below the previously established minimal clinically relevant values. In parallel, the drugs significantly increased the occurrence of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities-edema (ARIA-E: risk ratio=13.39; P<0.0001), ARIA-hemorrhage (risk ratio=2.78; P=0.0002), and symptomatic and serious ARIA (7/1321=0.53% in the high dose groups versus 0/1446 in the placebo groups; risk ratio=6.44; P=0.04). The risk/benefit ratio of high-clearance immunotherapies in early AD is so far questionable after 18 months. Identifying subgroups of better responders, the perspective of combination therapies, and a longer follow-up may help improve their clinical relevance. Finally, the preliminary evidence from medico-economical analyses seems to indicate that the current cost of aducanumab in the US is not in reasonable alignment with its clinical benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Villain
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Department of Neurology, Institute of Memory and Alzheimer's Disease, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, Inserm U1127, CNRS 7225, Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Paris, France.
| | - V Planche
- CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, University Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France; Pôle de Neurosciences Cliniques, Centre Mémoire Ressources Recherches, CHU de Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - R Levy
- Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris, Department of Neurology, Institute of Memory and Alzheimer's Disease, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France; Sorbonne Université, Inserm U1127, CNRS 7225, Institut du Cerveau - ICM, Paris, France
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13
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Li R, Geng J, Yang R, Ge Y, Hesketh T. Effectiveness of Computerized Cognitive Training in Delaying Cognitive Function Decline in People With Mild Cognitive Impairment: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e38624. [DOI: 10.2196/38624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
With no current cure for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), delaying its progression could significantly reduce the disease burden and improve the quality of life for patients with MCI. Computerized cognitive training (CCT) has recently become a potential instrument for improvement of cognition. However, the evidence for its effectiveness remains limited.
Objective
This systematic review aims to (1) analyze the efficacy of CCT on cognitive impairment or cognitive decline in patients with MCI and (2) analyze the relationship between the characteristics of CCT interventions and cognition-related health outcomes.
Methods
A systematic search was performed using MEDLINE, Cochrane, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Full texts of randomized controlled trials of CCT interventions in adults with MCI and published in English language journals between 2010 and 2021 were included. Overall global cognitive function and domain-specific cognition were pooled using a random-effects model. Sensitivity analyses were performed to determine the reasons for heterogeneity and to test the robustness of the results. Subgroup analyses were performed to identify the relationship between the characteristics of CCT interventions and cognition-related effectiveness.
Results
A total of 18 studies with 1059 participants were included in this review. According to the meta-analysis, CCT intervention provided a significant but small increase in global cognitive function compared to that in the global cognitive function of the control groups (standardized mean difference=0.54, 95% CI 0.35-0.73; I2=38%). CCT intervention also resulted in a marginal improvement in domain-specific cognition compared to that in the control groups, with moderate heterogeneity. Subgroup analyses showed consistent improvement in global cognitive behavior in the CCT intervention groups.
Conclusions
This systematic review suggests that CCT interventions could improve global cognitive function in patients with MCI. Considering the relatively small sample size and the short treatment duration in all the included studies, more comprehensive trials are needed to quantify both the impact of CCT on cognitive decline, especially in the longer term, and to establish whether CCT should be recommended for use in clinical practice.
Trial Registration
PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42021278884; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=278884
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Boustani M, Doty EG, Garrison LP, Smolen LJ, Belger M, Klein TM, Murphy DR, Burge R, Wall J, Johnston JA. Assessing the Cost-effectiveness of a Hypothetical Disease-Modifying Therapy With Limited Duration for the Treatment of Early Symptomatic Alzheimer Disease. Clin Ther 2022; 44:1449-1462. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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15
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Hlávka JP, Tysinger B, Yu JC, Lakdawalla DN. Access to Disease-Modifying Alzheimer's Therapies: Addressing Possible Challenges Using Innovative Payment Models. Value Health 2022; 25:S1098-3015(22)02039-3. [PMID: 35803845 PMCID: PMC9813270 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2022.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Aduhelm is the first approved disease-modifying therapies (DMT) for Alzheimer disease (AD). Nevertheless, under current payment models, AD DMTs-especially because they treat broader populations-will pose challenges to patient access since costs may accrue sooner than benefits do. New payment approaches may be needed to address this difference in timing. METHODS We use the Future Elderly Model that draws on nationally representative data sets such as the Health and Retirement Study to estimate the potential benefits because of hypothetical AD DMTs in 4 stylized treatment scenarios for patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild AD, and develop a payment model to estimate the accrual of net costs and benefits to private and public payers. RESULTS The modeled AD DMTs result in clinical benefit of 0.30 to 0.55 quality-adjusted life-years gained per patient in the baseline treatment scenario and 0.13 to 0.24 quality-adjusted life-years gained per patient in the least optimistic scenario. Private payers may observe a net loss in patients at the age of 61 to 65 years under the status quo (payment upon treatment). Constant and deferred installment payment models resolve this issue. CONCLUSIONS Innovative payment solutions, such as installment payments, may be required to address misaligned incentives that AD DMTs may create among patients younger than the age of 65 years and may help address concerns about the timing and magnitude of costs and benefits accrued to private payers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub P Hlávka
- Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Bryan Tysinger
- Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey C Yu
- USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics, Los Angeles, CA, USA; School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Darius N Lakdawalla
- Price School of Public Policy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics, Los Angeles, CA, USA; School of Pharmacy, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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16
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Tuzer F, Torres C. Involvement of astrocyte senescence in Alzheimer's disease. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2022; 76:102594. [PMID: 35779313 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2022.102594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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17
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Tahami Monfared AA, Tafazzoli A, Chavan A, Ye W, Zhang Q. The Potential Economic Value of Lecanemab in Patients with Early Alzheimer's Disease Using Simulation Modeling. Neurol Ther 2022; 11:1285-1307. [PMID: 35718854 PMCID: PMC9338185 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-022-00373-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that affects memory, thinking, and behavior and places a substantial economic burden on caregivers and healthcare systems. This early-phase study aimed to model lecanemab, a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting amyloid protofibrils, for patients with early AD, and estimate the potential value-based price (VBP) of lecanemab + standard of care (SoC) compared to SoC alone given an expected product profile of lecanemab informed by data from a phase II trial from payer and societal perspectives using a broad range of willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds in the USA. Methods A disease simulation model was used to capture how key AD pathology components relate to the clinical and economic presentation of AD. The effects of disease modification and early intervention on disease progression were simulated on the basis of BAN2401-G000-201 trial data as well as published literature. Model outcomes included patient and caregiver quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), total life years, and total care costs including direct medical and non-medical costs for healthcare resource use and indirect costs for caregiving over a lifetime horizon. Results Lecanemab + SoC was predicted to result in a gain of 0.61 QALYs (societal, 0.64) and a $8707 decrease in total non-treatment costs (societal, $11,214) vs. SoC alone for patients with early AD. For a WTP threshold range of $50,000 to $200,000 per QALY gained, the potential annual VBP of lecanemab was estimated at $9249 (societal, $10,400) to $35,605 (societal, $38,053), respectively. Other patient subsets, treatment stopping rules, and dosing regimens were used to assess the sensitivity of the VBP estimates. Conclusion The early model predicted that lecanemab would potentially improve long-term health outcomes and reduce formal and informal care costs, resulting in a range of VBPs that reflect the value of lecanemab to society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Abbas Tahami Monfared
- Eisai Inc., 200 Metro Blvd, Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA. .,McGill University, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Ali Tafazzoli
- Evidence Synthesis, Modeling and Communication, Evidera Inc., Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Ameya Chavan
- Evidence Synthesis, Modeling and Communication, Evidera Inc., Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Weicheng Ye
- Evidence Synthesis, Modeling and Communication, Evidera Inc., Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Quanwu Zhang
- Eisai Inc., 200 Metro Blvd, Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA
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Tahami Monfared AA, Tafazzoli A, Ye W, Chavan A, Zhang Q. Long-Term Health Outcomes of Lecanemab in Patients with Early Alzheimer's Disease Using Simulation Modeling. Neurol Ther 2022; 11:863-880. [PMID: 35469060 PMCID: PMC9095799 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-022-00350-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease and is the most common cause of dementia. Lecanemab is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting amyloid protofibrils for the treatment of early AD. In the phase II BAN2401-G000-201 trial (NCT01767311), lecanemab reduced amyloid accumulated in the brain and slowed progression on key global and cognitive scales evaluating efficacy after 18 months of treatment. Methods A disease simulation model was used to predict the long-term clinical outcomes of lecanemab for patients with early AD [i.e., mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD and mild AD dementia] on the basis of BAN2401-G000-201 trial data and published literature. The model captures the pathophysiology and management of AD, with a focus on simulating the effects of disease modification and early intervention on disease progression. The model compares lecanemab in addition to standard of care (SoC) versus SoC alone. Results Lecanemab treatment was estimated to slow the rate of disease progression, resulting in an extended duration of MCI due to AD and mild AD dementia and shortened duration in moderate and severe AD dementia. The mean time to mild, moderate, and severe AD dementia was longer for patients in the lecanemab + SoC group than for patients in the SoC group by 2.51, 3.13, and 2.34 years, respectively. On base-case analysis, lecanemab was associated with 0.73 incremental life years (LY) and 0.75 incremental quality-adjusted LYs (QALY), and the caregiver QALYs lost was reduced by 0.03 years. The model also predicted a lower lifetime probability of admission to institutional care in lecanemab + SoC versus SoC group (25% versus 31%). Conclusion The model results demonstrate the potential clinical value of lecanemab for patients with early AD and how it can slow the rate of disease progression and reduce the lifetime probability for institutionalized care. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40120-022-00350-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Abbas Tahami Monfared
- Eisai Inc., 200 Metro Blvd., Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA. .,McGill University, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Ali Tafazzoli
- Evidence Synthesis, Modeling and Communication, Evidera Inc., Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Weicheng Ye
- Evidence Synthesis, Modeling and Communication, Evidera Inc., Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Ameya Chavan
- Evidence Synthesis, Modeling and Communication, Evidera Inc., Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Quanwu Zhang
- Eisai Inc., 200 Metro Blvd., Nutley, NJ, 07110, USA
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Shi M, Chu F, Zhu F, Zhu J. Impact of Anti-amyloid-β Monoclonal Antibodies on the Pathology and Clinical Profile of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Focus on Aducanumab and Lecanemab. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:870517. [PMID: 35493943 PMCID: PMC9039457 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.870517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of age-related dementia in the world, and its main pathological features consist of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque deposits and neurofibrillary tangles formed by hyperphosphorylated tau protein. So far, only a few AD treatments approved have been applied in the clinic, but the effects of these drugs are limited only for partial symptomatic relief to patients with AD and are unable to alter AD progression. Later, all efforts for AD treatments with targeting the pathogenic factors were unsuccessful over the past decades, which suggested that the pathogenesis of AD is complex. Recently, disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) that can change the underlying pathophysiology of AD, with anti-Aβ monoclonal antibodies (mabs) (e.g., aducanumab, bapineuzumab, gantenerumab, solanezumab, and lecanemab) have been developed successively and conducted in clinical trials based on the theory that a systemic failure of cell-mediated Aβ clearance contributes to AD occurrence and progression. In the review, we summarized recent studies on the therapeutic effects and clinical trial results of these mabs in patients with AD. Specifically, we focused on the discussion of the impact of aducanumab and lecanemab on AD pathology and clinical profiles. The review provides a possible evidence for applying immunotherapy with anti-Aβ mabs in AD and analyzes lessons learned from these clinical trials in order to further study the therapeutic and adverse effects of these anti-Aβ mabs on AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingchao Shi
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Fengna Chu
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Feiqi Zhu
- Cognitive Impairment Ward of Neurology Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Medical College, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Feiqi Zhu,
| | - Jie Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Division of Neurogeriatrcs, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
- Jie Zhu, , ,
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Behl T, Kaur I, Sehgal A, Singh S, Sharma N, Makeen HA, Albratty M, Alhazmi HA, Felemban SG, Alsubayiel AM, Bhatia S, Bungau S. "Aducanumab" making a comeback in Alzheimer's disease: An old wine in a new bottle. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 148:112746. [PMID: 35231697 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.112746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite presence of substantial evidence suggesting the pivotal role of amyloid (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease (AD), very few therapeutic agents have been able to ameliorate the disease. This paved the way for the discovery of antibody-based immunotherapy to ace Aβ clearance and curb neuronal toxicity, resulting in revival of aducanumab, which following its entry into the brain, interacts with the parenchymal amyloid and decreases Aβ concentration, in a dose-dependent manner. However, the surprising approval from the FDA has created a controversy among healthcare professionals, due to Alzheimer's related imaging abnormality (ARIA) and hypersensitivity, serving as backlogs in its acceptance. Therefore, aducanumab is recognised as being "risen from the grave", accompanied with contrasting statements within the healthcare paradigm. The manuscript provides a collection of data, aiming to elucidate, both the commendable and critical faces, simultaneously intending to gain the attention of the global researchers towards the possibility of disease-modifying therapy in AD. The manuscript discusses the failure of anti-amyloid therapies in AD, that have accelerated the need to find a suitable therapeutic approach, followed by the discussion of timeline and impact of aducanumab in AD models, alongside the controversial judgement raising significant question. Besides, the authors throw some light on the onco-therapeutic implications of the drug approval, which is identified as a significant consequence of the event. The text provides a holistic picture of the drug action, and enlists the considerations for the future, that might be beneficial to both the acceptance of the drug, and the treatment of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tapan Behl
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India.
| | - Ishnoor Kaur
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Aayush Sehgal
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Sukhbir Singh
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Neelam Sharma
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Hafiz A Makeen
- Pharmacy Practice Research Unit, Clinical Pharmacy Department, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Albratty
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hassan A Alhazmi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; Substance Abuse and Toxicology Research Center, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shatha Ghazi Felemban
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal M Alsubayiel
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saurabh Bhatia
- Natural & Medical Sciences Research Centre, University of Nizwa, Nizwa, Oman; School of Health Science, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Simona Bungau
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania.
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Prados MJ, Liu Y, Jun H, Lam J, Mattke S. Projecting the long-term societal value of a disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer's disease in the United States. Alzheimers Dement 2022; 18:142-151. [PMID: 35142025 PMCID: PMC9303743 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Introduction We estimate societal value of a disease‐modifying Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment that reduces progression by 30% in early stages. Methods Using the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research value flower as framework, we estimate gross societal value, that is, not including treatment cost, from avoided medical and social care costs, productivity and quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALY) gains for patients and caregivers, adjusting for severity of disease, value of financial insurance, and value of insurance for currently unafflicted adults with a Markov model. Results Predicted societal value from 2021 until 2041 is $2.62 trillion for the overall afflicted US population and $986 billion for the 2021 prevalent cohort or $134,418 per person, with valuation of patients’ QALY gains (63%) and avoided nursing‐home costs (20%) as largest components. Delays in access because of health system capacity constraints could reduce realized value between 52% and 69%. The value of insurance for the unafflicted is $4.52 trillion or $18,399 on average per person. Discussion With a total of $5.5 trillion, the projected gross societal value of a hypothetical AD treatment is substantial, which may help to put the cost of treatment into perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria J Prados
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ying Liu
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Hankyung Jun
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Jenny Lam
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Soeren Mattke
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
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22
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Martins R, Urbich M, Brännvall K, Gianinazzi M, Ching JE, Khoury CP, El-Hayek YH. Modelling the Pan-European Economic Burden of Alzheimer's Disease. JAR Life 2022; 11:38-46. [PMID: 36923231 PMCID: PMC10002890 DOI: 10.14283/jarlife.2022.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Recent advances open the opportunity of altering the course of Alzheimer's disease (AD) through lifestyle-based modifications and novel therapies. Ensuring that society is investing limited budgets in the interventions that have the greatest potential to generate tangible impact will require tools to guide policymakers. Objectives To build on previous studies to develop an economic model that estimates the societal burden of AD and evaluates the potential impact of novel interventions in six large European countries. Design AD progression was modelled using a published Markov structure with a 40-year time horizon to estimate lifetime costs and life years in a cohort aged 65 years and above diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment due to AD (MCI-AD) in 2020. Demographic projections were utilized to estimate the prevalence of MCI-AD up to 2100, total corresponding costs and life years. The model allows a comparison of costs associated with the introduction of a hypothetical new disease-modifying therapy that slows disease progression between MCI-AD and all AD-Dementia stages as well as a 'delayed onset' scenario where disease progression is halted at the MCI-AD stage, potentially occurring, for example, through lifestyle-based modifications. Results The 2022 present value of total lifetime costs for this cohort moving through all disease stages is ~€1.2T. Approximately 80% of the present value of lifetime costs in our model are driven by informal care and non-medical direct costs. Our model suggests that a 25% and 50% reduction in disease progression compared to natural history could translate into a present value of cost savings of €33.7B and €72.7B. Halting MCI-AD progression for 3 years with no therapeutic effect thereafter resulted in a present value cost savings of €84.7B in savings. Conclusions Our data further suggest that early intervention via disease-modifying therapies or lifestyle-based modifications in AD could result in cost savings for society. Additionally, our findings reinforce the importance of accounting for the full value of innovative interventions, management and care paradigms, including their potential impact on direct, indirect and intangible costs impacting patients, their care partners and health and social care systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Martins
- Global Market Access Solutions, Health Economics Unit, St-Prex, Switzerland; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, GZW Global Health department, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - M Urbich
- Biogen International GmbH, Value and Access, HE and HTA Strategy, Switzerland
| | - K Brännvall
- Biogen International GmbH, Value and Access, Switzerland
| | - M Gianinazzi
- Biogen International GmbH, Value and Access, Switzerland
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