Alzheimer’s disease clinical trial launched in the UK
A new clinical trial could dramatically speed up the discovery of treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, reports BritPanorama.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, whose father Roy died from the illness in September, expressed pride in supporting the trial, aiming for quicker results than traditional methods. Roy Burnham, a former telephone engineer, was living in a care home when he passed away, unaware that his son had taken on the role of Prime Minister.
The trial, named Ad-Smart (Alzheimer’s disease Systematic Multi-arm Adaptive Randomised Trial), is spearheaded by the UK Dementia Research Institute and Alzheimer’s Research UK, with backing from government funding.
Experts believe the trial’s innovative design could potentially reduce the time required to test Alzheimer’s treatments by more than half. It will assess multiple drugs simultaneously, beginning with metformin, a medication for type 2 diabetes, and atomoxetine, used for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Preliminary evidence suggests that atomoxetine may impact the processes leading to further degeneration in Alzheimer’s, while metformin shows promise in affecting some related pathways. Over time, existing drugs and new treatments specifically designed for Alzheimer’s may also be included in the trial.
“I know how it feels to lose a loved one to dementia and have seen first-hand the devastating impact this illness has on families,” Mr Burnham stated. He added, “That’s why I’m proud to see this trial being launched in the UK, so that cutting-edge treatments can reach patients here as soon as possible.”
Burnham has prioritised dementia research nationally, aspiring for Britain to lead in breakthroughs that transform lives. Alzheimer’s disease, the most prevalent form of dementia, impacts approximately 600,000 individuals across the UK.
Researchers are keen to determine if the trial can improve memory and cognitive functions while empowering individuals to maintain a better quality of life. The initial participants have been recruited through the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust and Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Additional sites are expected to include Imperial London, Edinburgh, and Southampton, with plans to involve over 1,000 participants across 20 NHS locations within the next 18 months.
The first results are anticipated by 2030, with participants undergoing regular scans and blood tests.
Chief investigator Professor Paresh Malhotra from the UK Dementia Research Institute remarked, “For too long, Alzheimer’s research has moved at the pace of one drug, one trial, one answer, sometimes taking a decade or more before we know if we’ve found something that works.” He added that the trial’s structure allows for simultaneous testing of various treatments, swiftly discontinuing those that don’t show efficacy.
Malhotra explained that by comparing treatments that target different mechanisms contributing to Alzheimer’s, the research team aims to identify effective solutions more rapidly. Despite advancements from treatments like lecanemab and donanemab, which have been denied NHS use, alternative medications with established safety profiles could offer more immediate prospects.
Professor Siddharthan Chandran, director of the UK Dementia Research Institute, noted this as a “very exciting time” for Alzheimer’s treatments, pointing out the urgent need for acceleration in research processes that have historically been inefficient.
Dr. Sheona Scales, director of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, underscored the urgency for more treatment options, reflecting on the preciousness of time for individuals living with the disease. “We hope this new approach to clinical trials could help bring a future closer where people affected by Alzheimer’s have more treatment options — and ultimately, a cure,” she stated.
In a related development, the Government announced achieving its target to expedite clinical trials, reporting a 35% reduction in delivery times. The average setup duration for commercial trials in the UK fell to 100 days during the first quarter of this year, down from 153 days the previous year.
