bexarotene

The new research found that an existing skin-cancer drug called bexarotene cleared the protein in the brains of stricken mice within days.

New Attack on Alzheimer's Gautam Naik 2012

Because bexarotene is known to be safe for treating skin cancer, "it might be worth trying in Alzheimer's patients as well," said Rada Koldamova, a neuroscientist who works on Alzheimer's at the University of Pittsburgh and wasn't involved in the study.

New Attack on Alzheimer's Gautam Naik 2012

Drug makers might be deterred from making the heavy investment in researching an Alzheimer's use for bexarotene.

Alzheimer's Families Clamor for Drug Shirley S. Wang 2012

Ms. Vear wants to try her father on bexarotene, though she does have concerns about possible side effects.

Alzheimer's Families Clamor for Drug Shirley S. Wang 2012

Patents on bexarotene will start to expire this year, and once a generic is available, doctors could prescribe that less-expensive version off-label, undercutting the commercial prospects.

Alzheimer's Families Clamor for Drug Shirley S. Wang 2012

Dr. Landreth and a study co-author, Paige Cramer, are founding scientists of ReXceptor Inc., which has licensing options from Case Western to use bexarotene to treat Alzheimer's disease.

New Attack on Alzheimer's Gautam Naik 2012

He set his sights on bexarotene, an orally administered drug known to activate a protein that helps switch on the ApoE gene.

New Attack on Alzheimer's Gautam Naik 2012

Last week, a paper in the journal Science showed that skin-cancer drug bexarotene improved brain function in mice bred with Alzheimer's disease.

Dilemma: When 1 Drug Treats 2 Diseases Amy Dockser Marcus 2012

In the U.S., bexarotene is sold under the name Targretin, which is owned and marketed by Japan's Eisai Co. Patents on the drug—and hence its profitability—will start to expire this year, one reason drug companies may be reluctant to jump on bexarotene as a possible Alzheimer's treatment.

New Attack on Alzheimer's Gautam Naik 2012

Randi Stummer, who lives in Columbus, Ohio, isn't ready to ask a doctor to put her 72-year-old mother on the medicine, but she is worried enough about her mother's memory issues that she wants to find out more about bexarotene and would be willing to consider putting her in a clinical trial.

Alzheimer's Families Clamor for Drug Shirley S. Wang 2012