New research indicates that higher levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) are linked to slower disease progression and increased survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Additionally, CAP-1002, an investigational cell therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), has shown sustained improvements in cardiac function. Finally, lecanemab (Leqembi) has received traditional FDA approval for Alzheimer's disease (AD), a significant step towards wider availability.
ALA and ALS Progression
Findings published in Neurology from the EMPOWER clinical trial suggest a correlation between higher ALA levels and improved outcomes in ALS patients. The study revealed that individuals with higher ALA levels experienced longer survival and a slower rate of functional decline. After adjusting for age, sex, and baseline ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) score, the hazard ratio for death comparing the highest and lowest quartile of ALA was 0.50, indicating a significant survival benefit. This analysis builds on previous research suggesting that higher dietary intake and plasma levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly ALA, may be associated with a lower risk of ALS. The study's strengths included a large cohort of ALS patients with similar disease duration and progression, along with comprehensive demographic and clinical data.
CAP-1002 for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Data from the open-label extension (OLE) of the phase 2 HOPE-2 trial (NCT03406780) demonstrated continued improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients treated with CAP-1002 (Capricor) for two years. CAP-1002 is a cell therapy being developed for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Following the initial double-blind, placebo-controlled phase, participants entered the OLE, receiving CAP-1002 at 150 million cells per infusion every three months for 24 months. In addition to improved LVEF, indicating enhanced cardiac function, patients showed statistically significant benefits on the Performance of the Upper Limb (PUL v2.0) scale after two years compared to the decline observed in the placebo group after one year. The therapy was well-tolerated, with a safety profile consistent with previous observations.
Lecanemab Receives Traditional FDA Approval for Alzheimer's Disease
The FDA has granted traditional approval to Eisai's lecanemab (Leqembi) for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This decision follows the agent's initial accelerated approval in January and a unanimous vote in favor by the FDA's Peripheral and Central Nervous System Drugs Advisory Committee. The committee based its recommendation on the phase 3 Clarity AD trial, which confirmed the clinical benefit of lecanemab in treating AD. Lecanemab is only the second early AD treatment to receive FDA approval in the last 20 years, following the conditional approval of aducanumab (Aduhelm; Eisai/Biogen) in 2021. This approval marks a significant milestone in providing broader access to a disease-modifying therapy for the aging population affected by Alzheimer's.
