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First human trial of tau-targeting Alzheimer’s vaccine shows promise

pharmafile | December 15, 2016 | News story | Medical Communications, Research and Development Alzheimer's 

The latest in a succession of promising announcements surrounding Alzheimer’s R&D, researchers at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden have revealed promising findings the first in-man study of a newly developed vaccine for the disease.

Alzheimer vaccine research has centred on proteins which can lead to the formation of plaques, aggregates and fibrils which can cause disruption to brain function; where most antibodies studied in Alzheimer’s research target amyloid proteins which have historically led to side effects including accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid, this vaccine works by stimulating production of antibodies which target the other main protein linked to Alzheimer’s, known as the tau protein.  

In order to avoid a reaction from the body’s immune system, the researchers coupled the antibody to a carrier molecule not present in humans. The vaccine also specifically stimulates the production of antibodies which target all varieties of pathological tau only.

 The study found that 29 of the 30 participants with light to moderate iterations of the disease who were treated with the vaccine reported positive effects, with no serious adverse events. The researchers are confident in the findings of the Phase 1 trial and are now looking forward to proceeding to Phase 2.

Earlier this month, new findings came to light concerning membrane protein aquaporin-4 and its ability to target amyloid proteins, while flickering LEDs were also found to have an effect on the protein in the brains of mice.

Matt Fellows

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