Emerging Promise of Immunotherapy for Alzheimer’s Disease: A New Hope for the Development of Alzheimer’s Vaccine

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder and the characteristics of this devastating disorder include the progressive and disabling deficits in the cognitive functions including reasoning, attention, judgment, comprehension, memory, and language. Objective: In this article, we have focused on the recent progress that has been achieved in the development of an effective AD vaccine. Summary: Currently, available treatment options of AD are limited to deliver short-term symptomatic relief only. A number of strategies targeting amyloid-beta (Aβ) have been developed in order to treat or prevent AD. In order to exert an effective immune response, an AD vaccine should contain adjuvants that can induce an effective anti-inflammatory T helper 2 (Th2) immune response. AD vaccines should also possess the immunogens which have the capacity to stimulate a protective immune response against various cytotoxic Aβ conformers. The induction of an effective vaccine’s immune response would necessitate the parallel delivery of immunogen to dendritic cells (DCs) and their priming to stimulate a Th2-polarized response. The aforesaid immune response is likely to mediate the generation of neutralizing antibodies against the neurotoxic Aβ oligomers (AβOs) and also anti-inflammatory cytokines, thus preventing the AD-related inflammation. Conclusion: Since there is an age-related decline in the immune functions, therefore vaccines are more likely to prevent AD instead of providing treatment. AD vaccines might be an effective and convenient approach to avoid the treatment-related huge expense.

Bioactive Compounds and Their Derivatives: An Insight into Prospective Phytotherapeutic Approach against Alzheimer’s Disease

“…Amyloid beta-peptide (A β ) is obtained via the proteolytic processing of APP by β - and γ -secretases [ 226 ]. Published research demonstrated that immunization against A β has a neuroprotective effect and lessens memory deficits in transgenic mice without lowering the load of A β plaques [ 227 , 228 ]. These findings show that A β in plaques may not cause synapse degradation, and that other types of A β play a significant role in neurotoxicity in AD brains [ 229 ].…”

“…Pathologic tau in AD is hyperphosphorylated and abnormally cleaved [ 239 ]. Accordingly, inhibition of abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau offers a promising therapeutic target for AD and related tauopathies [ 228 ]. Recent studies have linked early modifications in the structures of soluble tau proteins, particularly their phosphorylation, to neurodegeneration [ 240 , 241 ].…”

Anti-Alzheimer’s Molecules Derived from Marine Life: Understanding Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential

“…However, there is a growing understanding regarding AD complexity, its diverse pathogenetic modes, and the dynamic interaction between the constituents that contribute to AD [ 47 ]. Furthermore, promising findings obtained from vaccination trials in transgenic animal models have encouraged the development of immunotherapeutic agents for AD treatment [ 48 ]. Various monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies have been developed against Aβ and are currently in clinical trials.…”

Revisiting the Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis: From Anti-Aβ Therapeutics to Auspicious New Ways for Alzheimer’s Disease

“…Active immunotherapies have been developed to activate an immune response in the human body of specific antibodies against Aβ [226]. Furthermore, active immunotherapies might be utilized to mediate anti-Aβ antibody responses in individuals with early stages of AD.…”