A phase 1 clinical trial of nerve growth factor gene therapy for Alzheimer disease

MH Tuszynski, L Thal, M Pay, DP Salmon, HS U… - Nature medicine, 2005 - nature.com
MH Tuszynski, L Thal, M Pay, DP Salmon, HS U, R Bakay, P Patel, A Blesch, HL Vahlsing…
Nature medicine, 2005nature.com
Cholinergic neuron loss is a cardinal feature of Alzheimer disease. Nerve growth factor
(NGF) stimulates cholinergic function, improves memory and prevents cholinergic
degeneration in animal models of injury, amyloid overexpression and aging. We performed
a phase 1 trial of ex vivo NGF gene delivery in eight individuals with mild Alzheimer disease,
implanting autologous fibroblasts genetically modified to express human NGF into the
forebrain. After mean follow-up of 22 months in six subjects, no long-term adverse effects of …
Abstract
Cholinergic neuron loss is a cardinal feature of Alzheimer disease. Nerve growth factor (NGF) stimulates cholinergic function, improves memory and prevents cholinergic degeneration in animal models of injury, amyloid overexpression and aging. We performed a phase 1 trial of ex vivo NGF gene delivery in eight individuals with mild Alzheimer disease, implanting autologous fibroblasts genetically modified to express human NGF into the forebrain. After mean follow-up of 22 months in six subjects, no long-term adverse effects of NGF occurred. Evaluation of the Mini-Mental Status Examination and Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subcomponent suggested improvement in the rate of cognitive decline. Serial PET scans showed significant (P < 0.05) increases in cortical 18-fluorodeoxyglucose after treatment. Brain autopsy from one subject suggested robust growth responses to NGF. Additional clinical trials of NGF for Alzheimer disease are warranted.
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