Key points from article :
CuraSen Therapeutics has announced positive results from a Phase 2 clinical trial of its drug combination, CST-103 and CST-107, for patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This oral treatment, which targets the brain’s beta2 adrenoceptor (β2-AR), was shown to be safe, well-tolerated, and effective in improving cognition in patients. CST-103, when paired with CST-107, a β-AR blocker, eliminates the common side effects of β2-AR agonists, such as elevated heart rate and hyperglycemia.
The study, which included 41 patients across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and the EU, revealed that the combination treatment not only avoided cardiovascular side effects but also led to improvements in cognitive function in a majority of patients, with some benefits lasting beyond the two-week treatment period. Most side effects were mild, and there were no serious adverse events. The trial focused on patients with Parkinson’s disease who also had REM-sleep behaviour disorder (RBD), a condition that can exacerbate cognitive and behavioural symptoms.
CuraSen’s CEO, Dr. Anthony Ford, emphasized that these findings support the potential of CST-103 and CST-107 in treating cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases, paving the way for a larger Phase 2b study in 2023. Additionally, the company is continuing clinical trials for another drug, CST-2032, aimed at treating early-stage cognitive decline in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s patients.
