Prasinezumab for Parkinson Disease Fails in a Randomized Study

Another monoclonal antibody failed to improve symptoms, which should lead to rethinking this treatment approach.

Prasinezumab, a monoclonal antibody, was designed to target aggregated α-synuclein. The antibody has now been studied in a phase 2, randomized, manufacturer-sponsored clinical trial as a treatment in patients with early-stage Parkinson disease (PD). The 316 participants were randomly assigned 1:1:1 to receive intravenous infusions, every 4 weeks for 1 year, of placebo, 1500 mg of prasinezumab, or 4500 mg of prasinezumab. The primary outcome was a change score calculated from baseline to 1 year on the Movement Disorder Society–sponsored revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale parts I, II, and III (on which scores range from 0 to 236; higher scores indicate greater impairment).

The primary outcome did not differ significantly …

Reviewing Author

Michael S. Okun, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America

Speaker’s BureauMedscape/WebMD CME, Movement Disorders Society CME, American Academy of Neurology CME

RoyaltiesBooks4Patients; Demos; Cambridge; Taylor and Francis; Robert Rose; Public Affairs

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; Parkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America; University of Florida Foundation

Editorial BoardsTremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements; JAMA Neurology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesParkinson’s Foundation (Medical Advisor)