Health Canada has given the green light to a medication that has demonstrated effectiveness in delaying the advancement of Alzheimer’s disease. Lecanemab, the initial drug endorsed in Canada to target the accumulation of amyloid plaque in the brain, is believed to address a fundamental factor of Alzheimer’s. This lab-created antibody binds to amyloid proteins, aiding in their neutralization and elimination from the brain.
Patients and their families have eagerly awaited the approval of lecanemab, also known as Leqembi, in Canada, according to Adam Morrison, a representative of the Alzheimer Society of Ontario. The drug is recommended for administration during the early stages of dementia when mild cognitive impairment is present.
Alzheimer societies are advocating for prompt market availability and public funding of lecanemab to ensure affordability for all eligible patients, as it costs around $26,000 US per year in other nations. Morrison emphasized that lecanemab, administered intravenously every two weeks, is a treatment and not a cure.
MRI scans are necessary to monitor potential side effects. The drug has been authorized in approximately 50 countries, as indicated in a news release from manufacturer Eisai Co., Ltd. It received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2023 after undergoing a global Phase 3 clinical trial.
Dr. Andrew Frank, a cognitive neurologist and medical director of the Bruyere Memory Program in Ottawa, highlighted possible side effects such as brain swelling or bleeding, typically detectable on MRI scans without causing symptoms. Although rare, serious conditions like seizures or stroke-like symptoms can occur. Less than one percent of clinical trial participants experienced persistent or potentially permanent side effects after discontinuing the medication.
Frank emphasized the importance of making these medications accessible to Canadians so that individuals, along with their families and physicians, can weigh the benefits of disease progression slowdown against the risks of severe side effects.
The Canadian Press is responsible for the health coverage, supported through a collaboration with the Canadian Medical Association.
