More evidence that LRRK2 kinase inhibitors might also benefit those with sporadic PD

[jeffreyn]

"Evidence indicates that in people with idiopathic Parkinson’s, [...] the LRRK2 protein is overly active, regardless of [...] whether or not they have a mutated LRRK2."

"Molecules that block the activity of the LRRK2 kinase [...] are currently being tested in clinical trials."

parkinsonsnewstoday.com/201...

Research paper: LRRK2 inhibition prevents endolysosomal deficits seen in human Parkinson's disease (2019)

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

[jeffreyn]

Now I remember why this sounded familiar. MJFF had an article on this research about a week ago.

michaeljfox.org/news/new-fi...

[jeffreyn in reply to jeffreyn]

A recent PNT article (September 2019) gave an update on Denali's progress in clinical trials of its LRRK2 kinase inhibitors DNL201 and DNL151.

parkinsonsnewstoday.com/201...

[38yroldmale]

I was accepted to be part of the DNL201 drug this last spring. It looks promising. I went

To start the trial when I was disqualified for a then unknown heart defect I have.

[jeffreyn in reply to 38yroldmale]

I see from the trial record on the Clinical Trials website that they are still recruiting, even though the trial was due to finish in September. In the exclusion criteria they mention "clinically significant" issues involving the lungs, but not the heart, as far as I can see. Still, something spooked them, obviously.

clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show...

[felixned]

I think Denali has two different drugs that they are trying. Here is an interesting bit of information. At our last support group meeting we had a neurologist speaking on some of the clinical trials they were running. One thing he mentioned that I found to be exciting was the fact that ONE patient had complete relief of his PD symptoms when he was treated with the lrrk2 inhibitor . He said that as far as he knew this patient didn't even have the lrrk2 mutation. He also said that the symptoms returned once the medication was stopped. He didn't give any details outside of what I mentioned here but he confirmed that this was part of the lrrk2 clinical trial.

[jeffreyn in reply to felixned]

Since you are in the U.S., that trial would be the DNL201 trial. The DNL151 trial is taking place in the Netherlands.