Parkinson's disease: the first clinical trial of a therapeutic vaccine

The experimental PD01A vaccine is directed against the alpha-synuclein protein, which is considered to be the cause of triggering the development and progression of Parkinson's disease. The mechanism of its action is to "train" the immune system to synthesize antibodies against this protein.

PD01A is the first potential etiotropic (aimed at eliminating the cause) drug against Parkinson's disease. In total, up to 32 patients with this disease will participate in the Phase 1 study conducted in Vienna (Austria), the purpose of which is to assess the safety and tolerability of the vaccine.

Since the official approval of the classic drug for the treatment of Parkinson's disease L-DOPA (levodopa) for 50 years, all potential therapeutic interventions have been based on the same approach – the replacement of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Accordingly, all existing medications for the treatment of Parkinson's disease have an effect exclusively on its symptoms and do not affect the course of the disease at all. According to modern scientific ideas, the cause of the development of Parkinson's disease is the accumulation of aggregates of pathological forms of alpha-synuclein protein in the brain. It is believed that the elimination of these deposits should have a positive effect on the course of the disease. This is what the action of the tested vaccine is aimed at, which, in case of successful clinical trials, should make a revolution in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on AFFiRiS AG materials:
Parkinson’s Vaccine – Worldwide First Clinical Study in Vienna.

07.06.2012