The first of its kind an important treatment that may end the suffering of Parkinson's patients

A team of scientists revealed that a new treatment designed to remove toxic blocks of protein believed to be responsible for Parkinson's disease has achieved promising results in early clinical trials.

The immunotherapy candidate, codenamed UB-312, produced by the American biotechnology company Vaxxinity, is the first capable of reducing concentrations of the brain protein alpha-synuclein (α-syn) in the cerebrospinal fluid, representing an important step in slowing (or even stopping) ) Parkinson's disease progression.

Alpha-synuclein is produced to regulate communication between nerve cells, but its accumulation in insoluble masses damages components such as mitochondria (responsible for producing energy in the body's cells)  and disrupts the typical balances of the cell.

The randomized trial conducted on 20 patients diagnosed with Parkinson's disease revealed that the antibodies bind to aggregated forms of α-syn. Analysis of spinal fluid in people treated with UB-312 revealed a 20% decrease in their usual total α-syn levels, compared to a 3% decrease in those who received a placebo.

Although the results of the experiment have not yet been published or reviewed, reports from company officials are “promising.”

“The results suggest that UB-312 could change the foundations of Parkinson's disease treatment,” says Lou Reese, co-founder and CEO of Vaxxinity. “Parkinson's patients may have hope in the near, not distant, future.”

Scientists stressed the need for additional comprehensive clinical trials to continue to prove the importance of treatment as a safe and effective means of improving the quality of life of Parkinson's patients.

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative condition that gradually manifests itself in stiffness, tremors, and slow movement. It is second only to Alzheimer's disease in terms of prevalence.

The symptoms of the disease are due to the death of important nerve cells in an area close to the brainstem, which are indirectly involved in fine motor control.