Hope for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in its early stages is given by the new innovative treatment that was applied yesterday (23/7) for the first time in Cyprus. The administration of the monoclonal antibody is already applied in foreign countries and is also applied to the EOKA Fighters Foundation, paving the way for a new approach to the treatment of the disease.
The scientific and medical director of the EOKA Fighters Foundation, Professor of Neurology at the Medical School of the University of Nicosia, Dr. George Kaponidis, in an interview with "F", stated that the first dose of the monoclonal antibody donanemab was administered today to the first patient in Cyprus receiving this treatment for Alzheimer's disease. This is a 72-year-old woman, who is in an early stage of the disease and showed the first symptoms about a year ago.
As he explained, it was the family that noticed the changes in the patient's memory and behaviour in time and turned to specialists. After completing the necessary tests and confirming the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, it was found that he met the strict criteria to receive this treatment, which is aimed at patients in the early stages of the disease.
The treatment involves the monoclonal antibody donanemab, which is marketed under the brand name Kisunla. The drug targets beta-amyloid that accumulates in the brain and is considered one of the most modern therapeutic approaches to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease in patients in its early stages.
New data in the fight against Alzheimer's
"These treatments have been approved in the European Union since September 2025. We managed to identify the first patient who met the strict criteria and, through a nominal request to the Pharmaceutical Services, we secured a special import license for the drug to be given the treatment," he said.
As he explained, the treatment is aimed exclusively at patients who are in the early stages of the disease and have very mild symptoms. It is not indicated for patients with advanced dementia.
The treatment is administered intravenously, in the form of serum, once a month and is accompanied by a strict monitoring protocol. In particular, an MRI is required before the start of treatment, but also after the second, third, fourth and seventh administration, in order to detect possible side effects in a timely manner.
"In total, at least five MRI scans are required during treatment," he noted.
Answering the question if there are other patients in Cyprus who can receive the treatment, Dr. Kaponides said that several are already in the evaluation process. "The criteria are very strict. We hope to identify other patients who will be able to benefit from this treatment, which, according to clinical studies, significantly slows down the progression of the disease and stabilizes it for at least three years. This period of time concerns the data available to date, as it is a very new drug," he said.
He clarified that the treatment is not experimental. "It has already received approval in both Europe and the United States and is stabilizing the condition."
Referring to its mode of action, he explained that monoclonal antibodies attach to beta-amyloid plaques that accumulate in the brain, allowing the immune system to recognize and remove them.
"The effectiveness of the treatment is also documented by PET tests, which show that plaques are significantly reduced after 12 to 18 months of treatment."
Regarding the cost, the professor said that this is a very expensive treatment. "I hope that in the future the HIO will include it in its therapeutic quiver, in order to reduce the financial burden for patients. In the present case, the patient's family has decided to cover the costs in full privately."
As he explained, the number of vials gradually increases during treatment. "In the first month, one vial is administered, in the second two, while the maximum dose is four vials each time for the remaining months. It is a very expensive treatment, which lasts from 12 to 18 months"
Asked if there is an age limit, Dr. Kaponidis was clear. "There is no age restriction. Alzheimer's disease occurs more often in older people. The most important thing is that the diagnosis is made at a very early stage, even in the phase of mild cognitive impairment, before it develops into fully established dementia."
He noted that there is a specific investigation protocol to determine which patients meet the requirements for this treatment.
Referring to the increase in dementia cases, he explained that it is mainly due to two reasons. "On the one hand, life expectancy is increasing since, thanks to advances in cardiology and neurology, more people survive severe cardiovascular or stroke and reach older ages, where the likelihood of developing dementia increases.
On the other hand, there is greater awareness and better diagnosis than in the past. In the past, many attributed the symptoms to "arteriosclerosis" and thought that nothing could be done. Today we know that there are treatment options and better support for both patients and their families."
The youngest patient was 53 years old
Dr. Kaponidis said that, although Alzheimer's disease usually occurs at older ages, there are also cases of its early onset.
"The youngest patient I have diagnosed in Cyprus was 53 years old. He had memory problems, but also changes in behaviour, which motivated both his family and his colleagues to seek medical help. The necessary tests confirmed that it was early Alzheimer's disease," he said.
