Latest news with #YaqiaoLi
The Hindu
14 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Alzheimer's disease: Researchers find two cancer drugs reverse damaged gene behaviour in mice
A study that compared gene behaviour in Alzheimer's disease with that caused by 1,300 drugs approved for use in the US has found that a combination of two cancer drugs could slow the neurodegenerative disease in mice, indicating a promise in reversing symptoms in humans. Alzheimer's disease is an ageing-related disorder in which cognitive function steadily declines, affecting speech and memory, and eventually can interfere with everyday activities. Scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, and Gladstone Institutes in the US first saw how gene behaviour was affected in Alzheimer's disease in a single brain cell. The researchers then looked at 1,300 drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and which of them reversed the damage. The next stage of the study, published in the journal 'Cell', analysed electronic medical records of about 1.4 million patients and found that patients who took some of these drugs for treating conditions other than Alzheimer's disease were less likely to get the ageing-related neurological disorder. Testing the top two drug candidates -- 'letrozole' and 'irinotecan', both of which are cancer medications -- in a mouse model having Alzheimer's disease, the researchers found that brain degeneration was reduced and a restored ability to remember. Letrozole is usually prescribed for treating breast cancer, and irinotecan for colon and lung cancer. The combined effects of two drugs were found to reverse damaged gene behaviour in neurons and glia (a type of brain cells that surround and support neurons). Further, toxic clumps of proteins and brain degeneration -- hallmark features of Alzheimer's -- were found to be reduced and memory restored, the researchers said. The team added that out of 1,300 drugs, 86 reversed gene behaviour changes in one type of brain cell and 25 reversed them in other types. However, only 10 had been approved for use in humans by the FDA. "Thanks to all these existing data sources, we went from 1,300 drugs, to 86, to 10, to just five," said lead author Yaqiao Li, a postdoctoral scholar at Gladstone Institutes. "Alzheimer's disease comes with complex changes to the brain which has made it tough to study and treat, but our computational tools opened up the possibility of tackling the complexity directly," said co-senior author Marina Sirota, professor of paediatrics and an interim director at the University of California. Co-senior author Yadong Huang, director of the center for translational advancement at Gladstone Institutes, said, "Alzheimer's is likely the result of numerous alterations in many genes and proteins that, together, disrupt brain health." "This makes it very challenging for drug development -- which traditionally produces one drug for a single gene or protein that drives disease," Huang said. The electronic medical records analysed in the study came from the University of California's Health Data Warehouse, which includes anonymised health information on 1.4 million people over the age of 65.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Two NHS drugs slows and could REVERSE devastating Alzheimer's, ‘exciting' study finds
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TWO NHS drugs could be combined to treat, and even reverse, the most common form of dementia, scientists claim. A pair of cancer drugs have been identified as a powerful duo that may tackle Alzheimer's disease, after scientists sifted through 1,300 approved medicines. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Alzheimer's was reversed in mice Credit: Alamy The American team used cutting-edge computer tools to match the gene changes seen in Alzheimer's patients with medicines that reverse those effects. They found that two cancer drugs, both already available on the NHS, reduced brain degeneration in mice with the disease, and even brought back their memory. The study, from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), first looked at how Alzheimer's alters the activity of individual brain cells. They then searched for existing drugs that trigger the opposite changes, with the aim of rewiring damaged neurons and brain cells called glia. And when they tested the top two candidates, letrozole and irinotecan, in lab mice, the results were impressive. One theory of how Alzheimer's comes about is that sticky proteins - like amyloid-beta - start clumping together in the brain years before symptoms appear. These toxic clumps block communication between brain cells and trigger inflammation, eventually causing the cells to die. Some scientists believe this buildup is the root cause of Alzheimer's, so clearing it could stop the disease in its tracks. When combined, the cancer drugs not only halted brain cell damage but also undid toxic clumps of proteins, restored memory and reversed the disease's genetic footprint. Prof Marina Sirota, senior author, said: 'We're excited that our computational approach led us to a potential combination therapy for Alzheimer's based on existing FDA-approved medications.' Common painkiller used for back pain ups risk of dementia by 29%, scientists warn She added: 'Alzheimer's disease comes with complex changes to the brain, which has made it tough to study and treat — but our tools opened up the possibility of tackling that complexity directly.' The scientists then trawled through the anonymised medical records of 1.4million over-65s and found those already taking the cancer drugs were less likely to develop Alzheimer's. Dr Yaqiao Li, the study's lead author, said: 'Thanks to all these existing data sources, we went from 1,300 drugs, to 86, to 10, to just five. 'In particular, the rich data collected by all the UC health centres pointed us straight to the most promising drugs. It's kind of like a mock clinical trial.' Letrozole is typically used to treat breast cancer, while irinotecan is prescribed for colon and lung cancer. Both are already used in the UK. 'So exciting' Prof Yadong Huang, co-senior author, said: 'Alzheimer's is likely the result of numerous alterations in many genes and proteins that, together, disrupt brain health. 'This makes it very challenging for drug development - which traditionally produces one drug for a single gene or protein that drives disease.' He added: 'It's so exciting to see the validation of the computational data in a widely used Alzheimer's mouse model.' The breakthrough, published in the journal Cell, could fast-track trials in humans. Prof Sirota said: 'If completely independent data sources, such as single-cell expression data and clinical records, guide us to the same pathways and the same drugs and then resolve Alzheimer's in a genetic model then maybe we're onto something.' She added: 'We're hopeful this can be swiftly translated into a real solution for millions of patients with Alzheimer's.' Alzheimer's causes a relentless decline in cognition, learning, and memory. But decades of research have only produced two FDA-approved drugs, neither of which can meaningfully slow the decline. In the UK, no disease-modifying drugs are currently approved or available. Instead, the UK relies on symptom-managing drugs, such as Donepezil and Rivastigmine.
