5 Key Findings Presented at 2018 Parkinson Disease Conference

Tom Greenhalgh, Medical Marketing Writer      August 29, 2018

At the World Congress on Parkinson's Disease (PD) and Related Disorders, speakers from across the globe shared findings from recent trials and clinical studies.

The International Association of Parkinsonism and Related Disorders (IAPRD) recently held its annual World Congress on Parkinson's Disease (PD) and Related Disorders August 19-22 in Lyon, France. Speakers from around the world gathered to share the latest therapeutic updates in PD and other movement disorders. Here are 5 key findings presented at the conference:

1.   APL-130277 may provide clinically meaningful benefits for patients with PD experiencing off episodes. A 12-week, double-blind trial was conducted in patients with PD experiencing off episodes to evaluate the efficacy of APL-130277. APL-130277 is a new formulation of apomorphine designed to treat motor fluctuations that occur during off episodes between regular doses of PD therapy. Clinical data showed that APL-130277 has superior efficacy vs placebo for the treatment of off episodes associated with PD.

Study: Efficacy of sublingual apomorphine film (APL-130277) for the treatment of OFF episodes in patients with Parkinson's disease: results from the phase 3 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

2.   Nilotinib may be a new treatment option for PD. Data from a phase 2 clinical trial suggests nilotinib may increase dopamine levels and metabolism in patients with PD. Nilotinib, which is an approved treatment for certain types of leukemia, blocks the activity of a protein (Bcr-Abl) known to promote cancer development. Findings from this study suggest patients with PD may experience long-term benefits from nilotinib treatment.

Study: Nilotinib increases dopamine metabolism and reduces oligomeric: total alpha-synuclein ratio in Parkinson's disease

3.   Opicapone may reduce off time in patients with PD. A phase 3 clinical study of once-daily treatment with opicapone demonstrated reduction in off periods in patients with PD who are taking levodopa. Patients who were administered 50-mg doses showed especially favorable profiles vs patients who received placebo. Opicapone is intended for adults with PD as a once-daily add-on therapy to levodopa.

Study: Efficacy of opicapone in Parkinson's disease patients with motor fluctuations: Results from the BIPARK I study

4.   Once-daily valbenazine may improve tardive dyskinesia in the long term. A study was conducted to explore the long-term effects of once-daily valbenazine on tardive dyskinesia. Significant improvements were noted in adults, and no safety signals were detected.

Study: Effects of long-term valbenazine on tardive dyskinesia and patient-reported outcomes: results from the KINECT 4 study

5.   Pain may be an early indicator of PD. Researchers found indirect evidence that pain may be an important clinical marker of PD in the absence of motor impairment. They noted, however, that longitudinal studies are needed to better evaluate the predictive value of pain for the development of PD.

Study: Pain: a marker of prodromal Parkinson's disease?

https://www.neurologyadvisor.com/movement-disorders-advisor/2018-parkinson-disease-conference/article/791877/