Swiss biopharmaceutical company AC Immune has revealed the first noninvasive live images of alpha-synuclein in humans' brains using its new PET tracer for neurogenerative diseases.
In addition to the images, AC Immune presented positive clinical data for an alpha-synuclein positron PET tracer, ACI-12589, as an imaging agent to identify multiple system atrophy (MSA) at the AD/PD 2022 (Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease) meeting in Spain.
Brain scans taken with the tracer strongly indicate the signal specificity for alpha-synuclein in MSA patients, compared with healthy volunteers and patients with other alpha-synucleinopathies, like Parkinson's disease and Lew Body Dementia. The results represent the potential for earlier and more reliable differentiation for MSA, lead researcher, Dr. Oskar Hansson, PhD, of Lund University, said in a press release.
PET images using the radiotracer ACI-12589 (Selegiline, AC Immune) showing visual uptake in areas of interest associated with multiple system atrophy (MSA). Image courtesy of AC Immune.Furthermore, the tracer showed target engagement in vivo in alpha-synucleinopathies with a pharmacokinetic and safety profile suitable to be developed as a human brain PET imaging agent. Specifically, the ACI-12589 data showed enhanced contrast and alpha-synuclein target specificity in those with MSA. Tracer retention was highest in areas affected by MSA disease processes, particularly cerebellar white matter, according to the trial results.
More details will be presented at the conference on March 18. For those unable to attend, AC Immune will hold a webinar on the research, which was conducted with support from a grant from the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, on March 29 at 10 a.m. Eastern time. Register for the webinar here.
