In many ways, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains a mystery. Most common in people over 65, Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, but its exact causes remain unclear, and treatments are unable to stop or reverse the disease’s progression. What is clear is the urgent need to develop appropriate treatments for the disease.
The human and social costs of Alzheimer’s disease are becoming clearer. There are currently about 6 million citizens with Alzheimer’s disease, and that number is expected to reach nearly 13 million by 2050. In the same time frame, the costs to America of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia are expected to rise from $345 billion to Almost one trillion dollars. As many as one in three citizens die of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.
While Alzheimer’s is currently irreversible, investment in research and development (R&D) about the disease is at an all-time high. The global Alzheimer’s disease treatment market is expected to reach $6.3 billion by 2029, and more Alzheimer’s drug candidates are in development than ever before.
Some of the FDA-approved medications focus on relieving certain cognitive symptoms, such as memory loss. Others are disease-modifying therapies that use anti-amyloid therapies to target the toxic buildup of beta-amyloid in the brain. Research confirms the latter approach to treating amyloid buildup – there are indications that treatments that support the immune system can reduce amyloid protein buildup and even prevent disease progression.
TRIG therapy: How the immune system can fight Alzheimer’s disease
Microglia are a specialized type of immune cell that prevents toxic chemicals from gathering in the brain. However, as Alzheimer’s disease progresses, the amyloid protein builds up in the brain, and plaque overwhelms immune cells and prevents them from working. This can cause dysfunctional microglia to turn on in the brain and increase neurodegeneration and inflammation.
Recent research suggests that this breakdown in the immune response can be prevented, and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by targeting the cellular system that modulates inflammation. This immunotherapy boosts the function of regulatory T cells (Treg), which are cells that regulate the immune system and act with an anti-inflammatory capacity. Treg cell therapy has attracted the attention of leading biopharmaceutical companies such as Eli Lilly and Company LLY And Novartis NVSwho have invested in companies developing TRIG-based therapies.
Coya Therapeutics to release statements on Treg drug candidates
Preliminary research suggests that altered Treg cells can indeed enhance the microglia response, downregulating inflammation and counteracting the buildup of amyloid protein. This is an exciting development, as it suggests that targeted support of the immune system via Treg therapy could help the brain slow or even stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Koya treatments koya is a clinical-stage biotechnology company leading the development of TRIG Therapeutics.
Part of Coya’s development pipeline is the Treg-boosting biological preparation, COYA 301. COYA 301 aims to reduce neuroinflammation by supporting the development, expansion, and activity of Treg cells in the brain. The company will release clinical data in mid-May showing COYA 301’s initial efficacy and biomarkers for eight patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
The company has a host of other Treg-boosting therapies, including COYA 302 for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and COYA 101, whose therapeutic approach has been validated by multiple trials.
Visit her website to delve deeper into Coya Therapeutic’s exciting work at the frontiers of treating Alzheimer’s disease.
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