NKGen Biotech announced the publication of Phase 1 clinical trial results for troculeucel, an NK cell therapy for Alzheimer’s disease. The trial showed stable or improved outcomes in 90% of evaluable participants with no drug-related adverse events. The research highlights the potential of troculeucel to address neuroinflammation and protein aggregates, key factors in Alzheimer’s disease progression.
This research is a critical step forward in Alzheimer’s treatment. Current approved therapies primarily focus on slowing disease progression, but troculeucel’s potential to stabilize or even improve cognitive function offers a new and potentially more impactful avenue for patients. This approach, targeting neuroinflammation and protein aggregates through NK cell therapy, could represent a significant shift in how Alzheimer’s is managed. The positive safety profile observed in the trial further strengthens the therapy’s potential for broader clinical application.
Eleven participants with mild to severe Alzheimer’s received four doses of troculeucel at three-week intervals across three escalating dose cohorts. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers indicated a dose-dependent decrease in pTau181 and GFAP, suggesting a positive impact on brain protein aggregates and neuroinflammation. A Phase 1/2a trial with a higher dosing regimen is currently underway.
The positive Phase 1 results and ongoing larger trial signal promising advancements in Alzheimer’s treatment. If subsequent trials confirm these findings, troculeucel could become a valuable addition to the limited arsenal of Alzheimer’s therapies, offering hope for improved outcomes and potentially altering the trajectory of this devastating disease.
Jon Napitupulu is Director of Media Relations at The Clinical Trial Vanguard. Jon, a computer data scientist, focuses on the latest clinical trial industry news and trends.
