What You Should Know:
– Eli Lilly’s Kisunla™ (donanemab-azbt) has been approved by the FDA as a treatment for adults in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia, who have confirmed amyloid plaque buildup in the brain.
– The FDA approval marks a significant step forward in the fight against Alzheimer’s, offering new hope for patients and their families.
How Kisunla Works
Kisunla targets amyloid plaques, protein clumps associated with Alzheimer’s progression. By helping the body remove these plaques, Kisunla may slow the decline in memory, thinking, and daily activities experienced by Alzheimer’s patients.
Clinical Trial Results
Studies showed promising results, particularly for patients in the early stages of the disease (those with low to medium tau protein levels). In these patients, Kisunla treatment significantly slowed cognitive decline by 35% compared to a placebo. Additionally, across the entire study population, Kisunla treatment resulted in a statistically significant 22% decline slowdown.
Potential Benefits of Kisunla
- Slower cognitive decline in early-stage Alzheimer’s patients
- Reduced risk of progressing to the next stage of the disease
- Potential for shorter treatment duration, with some patients completing treatment in as few as 6 months
Important Safety Information
Kisunla can cause side effects, including:
- Amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), appearing as swelling or bleeding in the brain on scans.
- Allergic reactions, potentially severe, during or shortly after infusion.
- Headaches
Treatment Costs and Coverage
Kisunla’s unique feature is the possibility of stopping treatment once amyloid plaque levels are sufficiently reduced, as confirmed by an amyloid PET scan. This could lead to lower treatment costs and fewer infusions compared to other therapies. Additionally, Medicare coverage is available for both Kisunla and the necessary amyloid PET scans.
Lilly Support Services
Eli Lilly offers a support program to help patients navigate treatment with Kisunla, including assistance with insurance coverage, care coordination, and access to resources.
