Solanezumab for Alzheimer's disease

Areas covered: This paper reviews literature on solanezumab that is available in PubMed from 2008 to 2010, other treatment trials in clinicaltrials.gov and published abstracts from conferences. The article also provides a discussion of the early trials of AN1792 and an overview of the immunotherapies currently in development. The authors provide the reader with a critical appraisal of the to-date clinical trial data on solanezumab and its implications for the broader field of immunotherapies for AD. Expert opinion: Solanezumab can neutralize soluble A beta beta peptides, which may represent the more neurotoxic of the A beta beta species. Phase II findings support the compound's safety, which has been a concern for some A beta beta immunotherapies. Cerebrospinal and plasma biomarker changes with solanezumab treatment are encouraging. Results of the ongoing Phase III trials will be instrumental in determining the drug's clinical significance.