Aricept may help in radiotherapy

The drug, which is manufactured by Japan’s Eisai and co-promoted in many markets by Pfizer, will be given daily for six months to brain cancer survivors who have received cranial radiation. Pediatric oncologist Sharon Castellino, who is working at Brenner Children’s Hospital, will follow these patients for six months to see if the drug can help prevent a decline in their cognitive abilities.

The Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest Baptist completed a successful pilot study using this drug in adults last year. The researchers decided to try the drug after observing that radiation-induced brain injury resembles Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia not only in the clinical symptoms but also in what is seen with brain imaging.

“We know that pediatric brain cancer patients are at risk for developing cognitive problems later in life,” said Dr Castellino. “They may have memory problems, low school performance, declines in IQ, behavioral problems, and these problems may lead to poor quality of life. Patients who receive cranial radiation as part of their treatment regime are at greater risk for developing these problems. We are hoping this therapy will enable them to maintain their baseline cognitive abilities and social relationships at school and at home.”

The researchers will enroll 35 patients, ages 8 to 17 years, in this study over the next two years. Patients will be asked to take a series of neuropsychological tests to establish a baseline of their cognitive abilities before starting treatment. Patients must have completed all therapy at least one year before the study.