New research suggests that the Alzheimer's drug lecanemab, once celebrated as a breakthrough treatment, may actually raise the risk of death among patients. This study indicates that patients taking lecanemab are three times more likely to die within a year compared to those not prescribed the drug.
The findings challenge earlier claims that lecanemab could slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by about 25 percent, allowing patients to enjoy an additional four to six months of healthy life.
In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) decided not to fund lecanemab earlier this year, citing its "relatively small benefits" and poor value for the healthcare system.
NICE also recently declined to support another promising drug, donanemab, which similarly aims to alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer's. Both drugs are administered biweekly through infusions and work by reducing amyloid, a toxic protein linked to dementia symptoms, as per MailOnline.
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New Study Shows Lecanemab's Higher Death Rates and Serious Complications
However, the new American research, which used data from patients treated since July 2023, revealed that the actual risk of death associated with lecanemab is significantly higher than reported in earlier clinical trials. The study estimates an additional 21 deaths per 10,000 patients taking the drug.
Experts note that lecanemab users face a heightened risk of serious complications, including swelling and bleeding in the brain. Professor Robert Howard, an old-age psychiatry expert at University College London and one of the study's authors, emphasized that lecanemab is not a miracle drug, stating, "The idea that lecanemab is a miracle drug is not supported by the evidence from the trials." He also praised NICE for their leadership in evaluating the drug's risks against its benefits.
The research, while revealing, is still preliminary and has not yet undergone peer review. The study's findings follow reports of deaths during lecanemab trials, with one trial participant suffering a fatal seizure believed to be triggered by the drug.
A spokesperson for the drug's manufacturer, Eisai, warned that the recent study should not be viewed as conclusive, highlighting that the safety profile of lecanemab remains consistent with findings from its clinical development program.
As the debate over lecanemab continues, patients and their families are urged to weigh the potential benefits against the serious risks involved.
