Lecanemab, marketed as Leqembi, is a monoclonal antibody treatment for Alzheimer’s disease that reduces the buildup of toxic amyloid plaques in the brain and slows cognitive decline. Scientists from VIB and KU Leuven have now uncovered exactly how it works.
Their study shows that a specific part of the antibody, known as the ‘Fc fragment,’ is crucial for activating microglia, the immune cells of the brain, and triggering the processes required to remove plaques. This provides the first clear mechanistic explanation for how this category of Alzheimer’s drugs achieves its effects.
The results, published in Nature Neuroscience, help resolve long-standing questions and may guide the development of safer and more effective therapies.
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