Updated 28 Jan 2019 - In October 2018, University College London Hospital (UCLH) began treating a patient with Sporadic CJD, with the PRN100 drug, which has been developed by researchers at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Prion Unit, at University College London. This drug, which had not been used in humans before, was administered after a judge confirmed that although the drug is unlicenced, it was lawful and in the patient’s best interests for them to receive treatment.
Four Patients have now received this antibody treatment. Sadly the third patient, who had a very aggressive form of sporadic CJD, has died as a result of their condition.
UCLH’s chief executive Professor Marcel Levi said: “On behalf of UCLH, I would like to offer my deepest condolences to the patient’s family and loved ones. They are in our thoughts at this difficult time.”
The fourth patient has just started treatment, whilst the other surviving patients, have not experienced any side effects to date.
Professor John Collinge, director of the MRC Prion Unit at UCL, said: “All of these patients were at different stages of their disease when they began to receive the antibody. It is too early to determine if, or to what extent, the treatment has had an impact on their condition.”
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