Clinical Development of Aducanumab, an Anti-Aβ Human Monoclonal Antibody Being Investigated for the Treatment of Early Alzheimer's Disease

Abstract

The amyloid hypothesis has been the dominant framework for Alzheimer's disease (AD) research, including the development of anti-AD therapies. However, none of the phase III clinical trials conducted to date that targeted amyloid β (Aβ) production, aggregation, or clearance demonstrated a statistically significant treatment effect in patients with AD. This includes the approach of using monoclonal antibodies that recognize various Aβ epitopes and display different binding selectivity. While some monoclonal antibodies have failed in phase III trials, several are still in development. Aducanumab (BIIB037) is a human antibody that selectively targets aggregated forms of Aβ, including soluble oligomers and insoluble fibrils. In PRIME (NCT01677572), an ongoing phase Ib trial (N=196 patients dosed), aducanumab was shown to reduce Aβ plaques and slow decline in clinical measures in patients with prodromal or mild AD, with acceptable safety and tolerability. The main safety finding was amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), a side effect associated with removal of Aβ, which was dose-dependent and occurred more often in ApoE ε4 carriers than non-carriers. ENGAGE (NCT02477800) and EMERGE (NCT02484547), the ongoing phase III trials of aducanumab in early AD, have been designed based on the outcomes of PRIME and on lessons from past clinical trials in patients with AD. Those study design features include patient selection with confirmed Aβ pathology, ensuring sufficient target engagement, and conducting clinical trials in patients at earlier symptomatic stages of AD.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; aducanumab; amyloid-beta.