VOA健康报道2023--Researchers Return to Alzheimer's Vaccines

Researchers Return to Alzheimer's Vaccines²

Researchers are renewing efforts to find Alzheimer's disease treatments that remove harmful proteins from the brain. Such vaccines could possibly offer an easier and lower-cost choice for millions of people, several scientists and industry leaders say.

The brain-wasting disease causes thinking and memory problems.

The U.S. government website ClinicalTrials.gov shows that at least seven possible Alzheimer's vaccines are in human testing or have completed such trials. The experimental treatments are designed to use the body's natural defense³ system to destroy Alzheimer's-linked proteins in the brain. The proteins are beta amyloid and tau.

The renewed interest in Alzheimer's vaccines follows a promising⁴ first attempt more than 20 years ago. That vaccine¹ work halted after six percent of study volunteers developed a life-threatening brain condition called meningoencephalitis.

Researchers then found a safer method using closely targeted synthetic⁵ antibodies in patients. These antibodies avoid extreme immune system reaction.

Health care companies Eisai and Biogen launched a new medication called Leqembi and health care company Eli Lilly launched Donanemab. American government drug experts are reviewing the treatments.

The reported success of the drugs has strengthened the theories that amyloid removal is critical to fighting Alzheimer's.

Scientists believe they now understand what went wrong with the first vaccine. They are testing shots they hope will cause an immune reaction without causing too much inflammation.

Dr. Reisa Sperling is an Alzheimer's researcher at Mass General Brigham in Boston. She said she believes vaccines will play an important part as researchers look to prevent Alzheimer's. She said, "I'm very keen that that's where we need to go."

Sperling is leading a trial in people with Alzheimer's proteins in their brains but showing no signs of related problems. She is considering vaccines for her next study in people who have Alzheimer's proteins in their blood, but not enough to show on imaging of the brain.

Alzheimer's vaccines are still in the early stages and will require large, years-long trials to show they work.

But a vaccine given two or four times a year could offer a lower-cost solution than Leqembi. Leqembi is given twice a month. That could expand available treatment among the estimated 39 million people around the world with Alzheimer's.

Dr. Walter Koroshetz is director of the part of U.S. National Institutes of Health that deals with disorders⁶ involving the brain. He said of the vaccines, "They could be worldwide, and not that expensive."

Words in This Story

synthetic – adj. made by combining different substances: not natural

antibodies – n. a substance produced by the body to fight disease

immune system – n. the system that protects your body from diseases and infections

inflammation – n. a condition in which a part of your body becomes red, swollen⁷, and painful

keen – adj. very excited about and interested in something

 

trial – n. a test of the quality, value, or usefulness of something

1 vaccine   

n.牛痘苗，疫苗；adj.牛痘的，疫苗的

参考例句：

• The polio vaccine has saved millions of lives.脊髓灰质炎疫苗挽救了数以百万计的生命。
• She takes a vaccine against influenza every fall.她每年秋季接种流感疫苗。

2 vaccines   

疫苗，痘苗( vaccine的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His team are at the forefront of scientific research into vaccines. 他的小组处于疫苗科研的最前沿。
• The vaccines were kept cool in refrigerators. 疫苗放在冰箱中冷藏。

3 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

4 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

5 synthetic   

adj.合成的，人工的；综合的；n.人工制品

参考例句：

• We felt the salesman's synthetic friendliness.我们感觉到那位销售员的虚情假意。
• It's a synthetic diamond.这是人造钻石。

6 disorders   

n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调

参考例句：

• Reports of anorexia and other eating disorders are on the increase. 据报告，厌食症和其他饮食方面的功能紊乱发生率正在不断增长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The announcement led to violent civil disorders. 这项宣布引起剧烈的骚乱。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 swollen   

adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀

参考例句：

• Her legs had got swollen from standing up all day.因为整天站着，她的双腿已经肿了。
• A mosquito had bitten her and her arm had swollen up.蚊子叮了她，她的手臂肿起来了。