The actual standard treatment for mild-to-moderately severe Alzheimer's disease only attacks its symptoms. Masitinib is a potent and selective phenylaminothiazole-type tyrosine kinase inhibitor which is currently in Phase III studies for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with the aim of modifying its evolution and with multiple pharmacological targets such as inhibition of mast cells activity, inhibition of microglia activation, modulation of Aβ and Tau protein signaling pathway and prevention of synaptic damage. Here, we review the preclinical and clinical studies that investigated the administration of masitinib treatment in monotherapy in AD. All research studies revealed positive effects concerning the cognitive functions in AD and generally with good safety and tolerability.
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; clinical trials; masitinib; mechanism of action.
Lay abstract In the 21st century, life expectancy has increased a lot in developed countries but so has the number of people who are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD causes a decline in brain function over time and is the main cause of death and disability in elderly people. Current treatments only improve the symptoms of the disease but do not cure or stop the disease getting worse. For this reason, new treatments are being developed including the drug masitinib which is in Phase III in clinical trials. Masitinib protects specific brain and nervous system cells from being damaged by the disease. Results from current research into masitinib suggest that it can improve cognitive processes in AD patients. This article summarizes results from masitinib clinical and preclinical studies.