Nicosia: A pioneering treatment administered in Cyprus for the first time at the EOKA Fighters' Melathron marks a new development in the management of Alzheimer's disease, as it can significantly slow its progression during the early stages.
According to Cyprus News Agency, details were presented at a press conference by the Melathron's Scientific Director, neurologist Dr. Georgios Kaponides, and neurologist Dr. Evgenios Kinnis. Kinnis stated that Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for around 80% of cases. It affects between 5% and 10% of people over the age of 65 and approximately half of those aged over 85. Around 16,500 people in Cyprus are estimated to have the disease, with the number continuing to rise as life expectancy and awareness of the condition increase, he added.
Kaponides revealed that the new treatment, involving the monoclonal antibody donanemab, was administered for the first time last week to a 72-year-old woman who had been diagnosed at an early stage of the disease. The patient underwent specialised examinations and received approval from the Pharmaceutical Services to use the medicine, which is not yet available in Cyprus.
The treatment is intended for people in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease who have mild cognitive impairment and can follow the strict protocol required for its proper administration, as there can be serious side effects, such as microhaemorrhages or cerebral oedema. The treatment lasts between 12 and 18 months and is administered intravenously every four weeks, while patients require continuous monitoring through MRI scans.
Kaponides highlighted that the treatment, which has been approved in the European Union and the United States, identifies beta-amyloid plaques, activates the immune system, and helps remove them from the brain, significantly slowing the progression of the disease. He noted the importance of having an effective tool that did not previously exist, allowing for more effective disease management in people at an early stage.
He also expressed hope that the treatment would soon be included in Cyprus' General Healthcare System. When asked about access to the treatment, Kaponides mentioned that interested patients could contact the EOKA Fighters' Melathron for information and an assessment of whether they meet the criteria for receiving the medicine. He reiterated that the treatment is not intended for people at an advanced stage of dementia.