A hospital in Tokyo has for the first time in Japan started administering a new drug to treat Alzheimer's disease.
Lecanemab was jointly developed by Japanese pharmaceutical firm Eisai and its US partner Biogen.
The drug is designed to slow the progression of the disease by reducing the accumulation of the amyloid beta protein in the brain.
On December 20, the drug became eligible for coverage under the public health insurance system.
On Monday, the Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology administered a drip infusion of lecanemab to a patient in her 50s. The procedure took slightly more than an hour.
The drug is designed for people with mild cognitive impairment who have not yet developed full dementia, and those with early onset dementia.
As the patients have to be checked regularly for side effects, only medical institutions that can conduct special tests are allowed to administer the drug.
The hospital says lecanemab will be given to a patient once every two weeks, with the treatment lasting for about 18 months.
The woman who received the dosage said she feels relieved that the drug became available. She added that she hopes to maintain her current condition to continue her lifestyle.
The hospital's deputy director said the drugs that had been used in Japan up to now are designed only to ease symptoms, but that this new drug has opened promising ways to fight Alzheimer's disease.
Lecanemab was jointly developed by Japanese pharmaceutical firm Eisai and its US partner Biogen.
The drug is designed to slow the progression of the disease by reducing the accumulation of the amyloid beta protein in the brain.
On December 20, the drug became eligible for coverage under the public health insurance system.
On Monday, the Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology administered a drip infusion of lecanemab to a patient in her 50s. The procedure took slightly more than an hour.
The drug is designed for people with mild cognitive impairment who have not yet developed full dementia, and those with early onset dementia.
As the patients have to be checked regularly for side effects, only medical institutions that can conduct special tests are allowed to administer the drug.
The hospital says lecanemab will be given to a patient once every two weeks, with the treatment lasting for about 18 months.
The woman who received the dosage said she feels relieved that the drug became available. She added that she hopes to maintain her current condition to continue her lifestyle.
The hospital's deputy director said the drugs that had been used in Japan up to now are designed only to ease symptoms, but that this new drug has opened promising ways to fight Alzheimer's disease.
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Summary
Tokyo hospital administers new Alzheimer's drug Lecanemab, jointly developed by Eisai and Biogen. The drug, designed for mild cognitive impairment patients, reduces amyloid beta protein accumulation in the brain. First public health insurance coverage on Dec 20. Administered to a woman in her 50s
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ID: 40a8233b-6c5a-4ca0-936d-b39acea93162
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20231225_14/
Date: Dec. 25, 2023
Created: 2023/12/25 19:00
Updated: 2025/12/08 19:47
Last Read: 2023/12/25 20:53