UCLH and UCL will participate in a trial to investigate a drug which could offer hope to brain haemorrhage stroke survivors.
The investigational drug, developed by Pfizer, is being evaluated to see whether it can slow the progression and treat symptoms of probable Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA), a common disease in which the build-up of amyloid protein causes blood vessels to fail, sometimes leading to brain haemorrhage or problems with concentration or memory.
The drug, called Ponezumab, is administered intravenously and is designed to bind to and remove the amyloid protein from the brain allowing it to be removed by the body.
The trial is a worldwide multi-centre study led by Pfizer in partnership with Massacheusetts General Hospital and Harvard University, which aims to recruit 36 patients with CAA aged 55-80.
Chief Investigator Dr David Werring from the UCL Institute of Neurology said: “This trial is really exciting because it marks a new beginning in the treatment of this common disease of brain small blood vessels. It is the first trial of a drug specifically targeting the amyloid build up in CAA to prevent worsening or possibly even improve vascular function. The study is scientifically pioneering as it will measure the brain’s blood flow response as a marker of treatment effect. At this stage we do not know whether the results will be favourable, but the trial brings new optimism to those with CAA and their families.”
A paper discussing the use of advanced brain imaging to study new potential treatments for CAA has been published in Lancet Neurology. Click here to read Outcome markers for clinical trials in cerebral amyloid angiopathy in full.
