アルツハイマー病疾患修飾薬の適応と効果判定

Disease-modifying Drugs in Alzheimer's Disease: Indications and Efficacy Evaluation

抗アミロイドβ抗体薬レカネマブが上市され，新しいアルツハイマー病治療が始まった。いままでの認知症医療とは異なり診断方法，評価方法，そして副作用，どれも新しい概念での投与が必要な薬剤である。特に，進行を止める薬剤でない以上その薬効の評価は極めて重要な課題となる。厚生労働省発出の最適使用推進ガイドラインを紹介しながら私見も交えて今後の課題を議論していきたい。

Abstract

The launch of lecanemab (an anti-Aβ antibody) has introduced a new treatment for Alzheimer's disease. In contrast to conventional therapeutic approaches to dementia, this drug requires new concepts in diagnosis, evaluation, and adverse effects. Specifically, evaluation of the efficacy of lecanemab is extremely important because this drug does not prevent but only slows the rate of disease progression. In this report, I have discussed future issues, including my personal viewpoint and also described the guidelines for promotion of the optimal use of lecanemab issued by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare.