3K3A-APC could offer hope to AD patients

Researchers from the University of Southern California have discovered that the genetically engineered protein 3K3A-APC, which is currently being developed to treat stroke in humans, where it has been shown to be safe, well tolerated, and capable of reducing intracerebral bleeding, could also prevent Alzheimer’s disease. 3K3A-APC is a genetically modified version of a human blood protein, activated protein C, which reduces inflammation and protects both neurons and the cells that line the walls of blood vessels from degeneration and death. The researchers’ study identified that 3K3A-APC protected the brains of mice with symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s, reduced the accumulation of amyloid-β that usually produce large amounts of toxic peptides and helped to avert loss of memory. It also showed that the drug helped maintain normal cerebral blood flow and suppressed inflammation within the brain.
Berislav Zlokovic, director of the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, said: “Because of its neuroprotective, vasculoprotective, and anti-inflammatory activities in multiple models of neurological disorders, we investigated whether 3K3A-APC can also protect the brain from the toxic effects of amyloid-β toxin in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. Our present data support the idea that 3K3A-APC holds potential as an effective anti-amyloid-β therapy for early stage Alzheimer’s disease in humans.”