In a remarkable breakthrough, scientists have found that two existing drugs not only slow Alzheimer’s disease but can actually reverse its effects and improve memory in mice.
What’s even more intriguing is that both medications are already FDA-approved—though mainly for cancer treatment.
The research team initially explored how Alzheimer’s disrupts gene activity in brain cells.
By analyzing a database of 1,300 FDA-approved drugs, they sought out candidates that could counteract gene expression linked to Alzheimer’s. This led them to five potential drugs, ultimately focusing on two used in cancer therapy.
In a sort of “mock clinical trial,” they sifted through medical records from 1.4 million patients. The data revealed that individuals who were prescribed letrozole or irinotecan for cancer showed a significantly lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
When the two drugs were administered together in a severe Alzheimer’s model in mice, they effectively reversed the gene expression changes associated with the disease, as well as harmful brain bacteria.
Crucially, they succeeded in restoring memory and learning abilities in mice with advanced symptoms.
This development is particularly exciting given how notoriously difficult Alzheimer’s is to study and treat.
“Alzheimer’s is tied to complex changes in the brain that complicate treatment,” a researcher noted, expressing optimism about the innovative approach taken.
“Our calculations have led us to a promising combination therapy using already-approved drugs,” they added.
Yadong Huang, a professor at UCSF, emphasized that drug development for such complex diseases often leads to a singular focus, usually targeting only one gene or protein. This approach can stifle progress in finding effective treatments.
These findings were published in the journal Cell.
Since both drugs are already approved for other applications, this could significantly expedite the process of testing them for Alzheimer’s treatment.
That said, repurposing cancer drugs for this use could pose its own set of challenges and safety concerns.
This discovery highlights the growing possibilities for Alzheimer’s treatments. For instance, carnosic acid, found in rosemary, seems to reverse brain inflammation in Alzheimer’s-afflicted mice, helping restore cognitive function to nearly normal levels.
Additionally, a study from Stanford Medicine revealed that older adults who received the shingles vaccine were 20% less likely to develop dementia over seven years.
Researchers from both Pennsylvania and Stanford have also observed that certain cancer drugs can enhance memory and cognitive abilities in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.
