Eisai Unveils New Long-Term Data on Lecanemab in Early Alzheimer’s Disease
Eisai has presented new clinical data reinforcing the potential long-term benefits of lecanemab for people living with early Alzheimer’s disease.
The latest findings, shared at the 98th Congress of the German Society of Neurology in Berlin, come from a post-hoc subgroup analysis of the Clarity AD open-label extension study.
The analysis focused on adult patients with early Alzheimer’s disease who are apolipoprotein E ε4 (ApoE ε4) non-carriers or heterozygotes. Within this group, participants who received ongoing lecanemab treatment from the start of the study through to 48 months (n=409) continued to accrue clinical benefit over time.
Notably, these patients showed a sustained separation in outcomes when compared with an external Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort (n=79), underlining the potential impact of continuous treatment over several years.
Crucially, ongoing treatment with lecanemab reduced the risk of progression to the next stage of Alzheimer’s disease by 32% over a 48-month period, as measured by the Clinical Dementia Rating – Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB).
This measure is widely used in Alzheimer’s research to assess both cognitive and functional decline, making the observed risk reduction a significant indicator of potential long-term benefit for eligible patients.
Commenting on the findings, the Vice President and Head of Medical Affairs, Eisai EMEA, said that the presentation of these data adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the potential benefits of lecanemab for patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.They emphasised that, because Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and chronic condition, it is essential to continue generating and analysing long-term data.
Such evidence, they noted, deepens understanding of how continuous treatment over time may influence the course of the disease. They added that Eisai remains committed to investing in research and innovation, with the aim of being part of the solution for a better future for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
In the EU and United Kingdom, lecanemab is indicated for patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease who are ApoE ε4 non-carriers or heterozygotes, with confirmed amyloid pathology.
As with any medicine, safety remains a key consideration. Common adverse reactions associated with lecanemab include infusion-related reactions (26%), amyloid-related imaging abnormalities with haemosiderin deposition (ARIA-H, 13%), falls (11%), headache (11%) and amyloid-related imaging abnormalities with oedema (ARIA-E, 9%).
Final Thoughts
Taken together, the new post-hoc subgroup analysis from the Clarity AD open-label extension adds further weight to the case for early and sustained treatment with lecanemab in appropriately selected patients.
With a demonstrated 32% reduction in the risk of disease progression over four years and a clear commitment from Eisai to ongoing research, these latest data contribute to a more hopeful outlook for people living with early Alzheimer’s disease and those who care for them.
News Credits: Eisai shares long-term data on lecanemab at neurology congress
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