Five major U.S. health systems said they would offer Eisai and Biogen's promising new Alzheimer's drug Leqembi after working out payment and administrative policies, and how to assess and monitor patients, most likely in the next month or two.
Leqembi, which won full U.S. regulatory approval last month, is the first treatment proven to slow progression of the mind-robbing disease for people in the earliest stages of Alzheimer's.
Neurologists at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Chicago's Northwestern Memorial and Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai all said they plan to roll out the drug in the next few months. Cleveland Clinic and Utah’s Intermountain health system said they have not started offering it. "Many physicians have been prescribing Leqembi and uptake continues to progress as anticipated," Eisai and Biogen said in a joint email on Friday.
To qualify, patients undergo cognitive tests to ensure their disease is early enough to be treatable, genetic testing to better understand their risks for side effects, and either brain scans or a spinal fluid test to confirm the presence of amyloid - a protein that Leqembi removes. Recognizing the brain swelling issue on an MRI is challenging, especially when it is mild, and takes special training, said Dr. David Knopman of the Mayo Clinic.
Johnson estimates the system has 100-150 diagnosed Medicare patients on a waitlist, but they will have to be reevaluated before treatment. Assessments for the presence of beta amyloid are all being done through spinal fluid tests, she said.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Obama Mentor Charles Ogletree Jr. Dead at 70The Harvard Law professor was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2015.
Consulte Mais informação »
Longtime Houston restaurant owner Tony Mandola, dies at 73 following battle with Alzheimer'sTony Mandola was best known as the owner of Tony Mandola's Gulf Coast Kitchen in Houston's Fourth Ward on Waugh Drive.
Consulte Mais informação »
This Old-School Dessert Is Having a Major ComebackThis isn’t your grandma’s pavlova.
Consulte Mais informação »
7 critically injured in school bus crash that closes major highway in IdahoA school bus filled with 30 people crashed near a major highway in Idaho, police revealed. All the children on the bus — aged 13 to 18 — were transported to nearby hospitals in 'an abundance of caution.' 7 critically injured in YMCA camp bus crash:
Consulte Mais informação »
UBS nears major investment-bank restructuring: reportContinued integration of Credit Suisse after emergency takeover spurs plans for reshuffling UBS's deal teams, Reuters reports.
Consulte Mais informação »
10 Major Movie Franchises With Only 1 Great MovieWhile most major movie franchises have their fair share of hits and misses, some have only produced one great movie in their lengthy existences.
Consulte Mais informação »