AB Science: Study Links Masitinib to Longer Survival in ALS
AB Science announced the publication of a new study on medRxiv assessing the benefits of masitinib in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The analysis focuses on long-term survivors from the AB10015 trial, treated with masitinib at a dose of 4.5 mg/kg/day.
Analysis of Long-Term ALS Survivors
The article published on medRxiv, titled 'Evaluation of Long-Term Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Survivors', presents a comparative analysis of patients treated with masitinib in the phase 2b/3 AB10015 study, an international, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. The analysis compared observed survival data to predictions from the ENCALS model and historical data. According to the study, some patients achieved significantly longer survival than predicted by current prognostic models. The data also indicate that half of the long-term survivors maintained a good quality of life, suggesting that the extension of survival does not compromise functional independence.
Masitinib's Role in ALS Pathogenesis
Masitinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting the activity of microglia and mast cells in the pathogenesis of ALS, offering potential neuroprotective benefits. The analysis revealed that long-term survivors were largely independent of various baseline prognostic factors of ALS, suggesting the existence of a subpopulation of patients whose progression is determined by the activity of microglia and mast cells. The recent discovery of a potential plasma biomarker that can detect the effect of masitinib on pathological pro-inflammatory microglia could facilitate the early identification of patients most likely to achieve long-term survival and allow for more precise patient selection.
