Kim DY, Kim JS, Seo YS, Park WY, Kim BH, Hong EH, Kim JY, Cho SJ, Rhee HY, Kim A, Kim KY, Oh DJ, Chung WK. Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety Using Low Dose Radiation Therapy with Alzheimer's Disease: A Protocol for Multicenter Phase II Clinical Trial.
J Alzheimers Dis 2023;
95:1263-1272. [PMID:
37638435 PMCID:
PMC10578208 DOI:
10.3233/jad-230241]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, is a neurodegenerative disease resulting from extracellular and intracellular deposits of amyloid-β (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Although many clinical studies evaluating pharmacological approaches have been conducted, most have shown disappointing results; thus, innovative strategies other than drugs have been actively attempted.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to explore low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT) for the treatment of patients with AD based on preclinical evidence, case reports, and a small pilot trial in humans.
METHODS
This study is a phase II, multicenter, prospective, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial that will evaluate the efficacy and safety of LDRT to the whole brain using a linear accelerator in patients with mild AD. Sixty participants will be randomly assigned to three groups: experimental I (24 cGy/6 fractions), experimental II (300 cGy/6 fractions), or sham RT group (0 cGy/6 fractions). During LDRT and follow-up visits after LDRT, possible adverse events will be assessed by the physician's interview and neurological examinations. Furthermore, the effectiveness of LDRT will be measured using neurocognitive function tests and imaging tools at 6 and 12 months after LDRT. We will also monitor the alterations in cytokines, Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio, and tau levels in plasma. Our primary endpoint is the change in cognitive function test scores estimated by the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Korea compared to baseline after 6 months of LDRT.
CONCLUSIONS
This study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov [NCT05635968] and is currently recruiting patients. This study will provide evidence that LDRT is a new treatment strategy for AD.
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