On 24 March, US researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus published an article evaluating the effect of sargramostim in improving cognition and reducing pathology in people with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). Sargramostim is a medication often used to boost white blood cells after cancer treatments. Findings were published by Alzheimer's & Dementia: Translational Research and Clinical Interventions, an open access journal of the Alzheimer's Association.
Researchers conducted a randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled phase II trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of sargramostim treatment in people with mild to moderate AD. 40 US participants received injections of either sargramostim or placebo for five days a week for three weeks. Results showed that short-term sargramostim treatment was well tolerated and increased immune cells. In addition, the treatment increased cognitive measures and measures of blood biomarkers of AD (i.e. amyloid and tau). Scientists are planning to start a larger trial of sargramostim in AD.
https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/trc2.12158
