Subcutaneous Lecanemab Maintains Efficacy in Early Alzheimer's Disease, New Data Show

New research presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference highlights the potential of a subcutaneous autoinjector for maintaining lecanemab therapy in early Alzheimer's disease. The study found that administering 360 mg weekly subcutaneously offers comparable efficacy and safety to the traditional intravenous (IV) biweekly regimen. Over a four-year period, patients receiving the subcutaneous dose experienced similar reductions in brain amyloid levels as those continuing with IV infusions, with no significant differences in clinical outcomes such as cognitive scores. Biomarker analysis showed that weekly subcutaneous dosing maintained the levels of amyloid-beta, GFAP, and p-tau181, supporting its effectiveness. Transitioning to weekly subcutaneous injections after 18 months of IV treatment appears to sustain amyloid reduction and clinical benefits, potentially reducing the treatment burden for patients and caregivers. Modeling studies suggest that this maintenance approach prevents re-accumulation of amyloid and does not adversely affect disease progression. Lecanemab, a monoclonal antibody targeting soluble amyloid-beta protofibrils, was approved in 2023 for...