Research
Repurposing
for Parkinson’s:
Teaching Old
Drugs New
Tricks
Could a diabetes or
cancer drug treat
Parkinson’s? That’s
the idea behind
“repurposing” — testing
how a drug already
on the market for one
disease could treat
another condition.
Recent MJFF-funded
trials of repurposed
therapies may provide
patients with more
options. In July, the
U.S. Food and Drug
Administration gave
the go-ahead for a
Phase IIa clinical trial of
the leukemia therapy
nilotinib. And in August,
results from a small
Phase II trial of diabetes
drug exenatide indicated
potential benefit and
the need for a larger,
multicenter trial.
Is Parkinson’s an
Autoimmune
Disease? Virtual House
Calls to Treat
Parkinson’s
A recent Foundation-
funded study at
Columbia University
uncovered that
fragments of alpha-
synuclein (a protein that
clumps in the cells of
people with Parkinson’s)
are recognized in PD
by the immune system,
which could then
respond and harm
cells. A different study
supported by MJFF
from Emory University
researchers showed an
association between
the immune system
and LRRK2 protein.
(Mutations in the LRRK2
gene are linked to PD.)
Investigators next plan to
test whether blocking the
autoimmune response
could slow disease
progression. Listen to
a podcast about these
findings at michaeljfox.
org/autoimmune. Seeing a doctor through
a computer webcam
or smartphone — called
telemedicine — may
help more people
receive Parkinson’s
care. A Foundation-
backed study from the
University of Rochester
published in journal
Neurology in August
found telemedicine
appointments were as
effective as in-person visits
in supporting patients’
quality of life. Participants
received either their usual
in-person care with their
established provider
or their usual care plus
up to four telemedicine
visits with a neurologist.
Telemedicine could make
specialized Parkinson’s
care more accessible to
people who experience
mobility issues or who
live too far away from
specialists.
Stay connected with the latest scientific progress
toward a cure at michaeljfox.org/researchnews.
5
Fall/Winter 2017