Alan R. Jacobs, MD, August 25, 2016
This is the Medscape Neurology Minute. I'm Dr Alan Jacobs.
Researchers from Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, DC, have published an open-label, proof-of-concept study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of nilotinib (Tasigna®, Novartis), an FDA-approved medication for adults with chronic myeloid leukemia, in subjects with Parkinson's dementia or dementia with Lewy bodies.[1]
Twelve subjects were randomized into 150-mg or 300-mg groups and received nilotinib orally every day for 24 weeks.
Results showed nilotinib to be safe and well tolerated. Serum and spinal fluid biomarker analysis revealed a steady doubling of homovanillic acid, such that most participants were able to stop or reduce the use of their dopamine replacement therapies. Moreover, the level of the Parkinson's disease-related oxidative stress marker DJ-1 was reduced more than 50% after nilotinib treatment, consistent with less dopaminergic neuron death. Levels of three markers of cell death—neuron-specific enolase, S100B, and tau—were significantly reduced in cerebrospinal fluid, suggesting reduced neuronal cell death. Even cerebrospinal fluid levels of alpha-synuclein were attenuated significantly.
The authors concluded that the evaluation of the safety and efficacy of nilotinib in larger randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials is clearly warranted.
This has been the Medscape Neurology Minute. I'm Dr Alan Jacobs
Nilotinib Shows Early Safety in Parkinson' Dementia http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/867614?src=soc_tw_share via @medscape
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/867614
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