A team of scientists from the University of California, San Francisco, and the Gladstone Institutes has discovered two existing anti-cancer drugs that can potentially slow or even partially reverse the brain changes characteristic of Alzheimer`s disease. The detailed findings of this breakthrough were published in the prestigious scientific journal Cell.
The research began by comparing data on genetic changes in neurons and glial cells in the brain affected by Alzheimer`s with information on the effects of over 1,300 FDA-approved drugs. The goal was to identify medications that exhibited an opposite, i.e., beneficial, effect on the relevant genes. Further analysis of medical records from 1.4 million individuals over 65 years old confirmed that those who took some of these selected drugs showed a reduced incidence of dementia.
In experiments on laboratory mice suffering from an Alzheimer`s model, it was demonstrated that the combination of two specific anti-cancer agents – letrozole and irinotecan – not only effectively slowed neurodegenerative processes but also led to a significant improvement in the animals` memory. These drugs positively influenced gene activity, contributed to a reduction in toxic protein accumulation, and stimulated the recovery of damaged brain cells.
The scientists express confidence that this combination therapy holds great potential for rapid progression to human clinical trials. This opens up prospects for developing a new, effective treatment method for Alzheimer`s disease, which affects millions of people worldwide.
It is worth noting that previous studies have indicated a possible link between regular egg consumption and a nearly twofold reduction in the risk of developing Alzheimer`s disease.
