PD "vaccine" clinical trial

[rebtar]

I may have the opportunity to participate in this clinical trial at UCSF. I'm wondering if those of you who follow these developments have an opinion on whether this is a worthwhile endeavor and worth the emotional and time investment (it's quite intensive -- monthly visits -- and 2 years long).

fiercebiotech.com/biotech/p...

[hanifab23]

Please tell me how did you get enrolled in the trial whom to contact do you live in the bay area

[rebtar in reply to hanifab23]

I'm not enrolled yet, but am in communication with my neuro about it. UCSF is participating, and I go to the UCSF movement disorders clinic.

[park_bear]

This is a legitimate company and trial. Here is the link to the most recent results:

ir.prothena.com/releasedeta...

You will note that they reduced circulating alpha-synuclein to just about nothing. That is good as far as it goes, but this report is notable for something it does not say. Nothing is said about Parkinson's symptoms. It is a simple matter to rate Parkinson's symptoms on the UPDRS scale and with all the money they spent on this I would imagine that this was done. I would also imagine if symptoms improved they would be saying something about it. Of course my imagination could be wrong.

On the other hand, this was only a six-month study with no control group. If they are merely hoping to stop or slow progression this study would not reveal that.

Also, bear in mind there are adverse effects. From the report:

"TEAEs greater than placebo in five percent or more of PRX002 treated patients, regardless of relationship to PRX002, included constipation, infusion related reactions (IRRs), diarrhoea, peripheral oedema, and post lumbar puncture syndrome."

[rebtar in reply to park_bear]

Thanks dear Parkbear. I'm still considering and don't know if I meet the criteria. Continuing to read, consult, think....

[rebtar in reply to rebtar]

"In multiple transgenic mouse models of Parkinson's disease, passive immunization with 9E4, the murine version of PRX002, reduced the appearance of alpha-synuclein pathology, protected synapses and improved performance in behavioral testing."

This seems to imply symptomatic improvement...in MICE.

[p-oui in reply to park_bear]

Correct and I agree PB, it seems that everything is riding on the PASADENA trial at Prothena but the big investor is Celgene and they'll see the big wins if the trial is successful

[felixned]

This is a very effective medication according to my neurologist who participated in earlier clinical trial. As the company states it is providing very significant reduction of alpha-synucleins. I would not keep my hopes high for symptomatic improvement. I read somewhere that similar approach was tried in Alzheimer's with tau proteins. It succeeded in reduction of tau proteins but didn't improve symptoms. Still it is a big deal and I would do it if qualified.

[p-oui in reply to felixned]

agree, I am working on it. others to watch: Austrian biotech Affiris completed a phase 1 trial of its anti-alpha-synuclein vaccine PD01A last year, while Biogen, AC Immune, Proclara, NeuroPore and BioArctic Neuroscience are among companies with early-stage programs in this area.