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ForwardPulse - Mad about mAbs – Monoclonal Antibodies for the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease
New medications and new guidelines are constantly being released. Pharmacists need a mechanism to keep up with these new medications and guidelines.
In June of 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved aducanumab (Aduhelm®), a monoclonal antibody (mAb), through the accelerated approval pathway for the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Aducanumab was the first AD treatment approved since 2003. While it signified development in AD research, the approval of aducanumab was met with apprehension and skepticism due to safety concerns and conflicting efficacy results. Despite this, in January of 2023, the FDA approved a second mAb, lecanemab (Leqembi®), through the same accelerated approval pathway for the treatment of AD. This presentation will discuss the mechanism of action of monoclonal antibodies for AD, the controversy surrounding the accelerated FDA approval of aducanumab and lecanemab, and where in therapy these agents fall.
Target Audience
Pharmacist
Learning Objectives
1. Understand the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s Disease.
2. Describe the mechanism of action of monoclonal antibodies in the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease.
3. Discuss the controversy surrounding the accelerated approval of aducanumab (Aduhelm®) and lecanemab
(Leqembi®).
Additional Information
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
 Sun 2023 Pulse Disclosure.pptx | 1.18 MB |
New medications and new guidelines are constantly being released. Pharmacists need a mechanism to keep up with these new medications and guidelines.
In June of 2021, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved aducanumab (Aduhelm®), a monoclonal antibody (mAb), through the accelerated approval pathway for the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Aducanumab was the first AD treatment approved since 2003. While it signified development in AD research, the approval of aducanumab was met with apprehension and skepticism due to safety concerns and conflicting efficacy results. Despite this, in January of 2023, the FDA approved a second mAb, lecanemab (Leqembi®), through the same accelerated approval pathway for the treatment of AD. This presentation will discuss the mechanism of action of monoclonal antibodies for AD, the controversy surrounding the accelerated FDA approval of aducanumab and lecanemab, and where in therapy these agents fall.
Christina Sun, PharmD
In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Pharmacy (CPE)
This knowledge-based activity provides 1.0 contact hours of continuing pharmacy education credit.
Available Credit
- 1.00 ACPE PharmacyThe UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a Provider of continuing pharmacy education.