Safety of Plasma Infusions in Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

A BS TRACT: Background: Young plasma infusions have emerged as a potential treatment for neurodegenerative disease, and convalescent plasma therapy has been used safely in the management of viral pandemics. However, the effect of plasma therapy in Parkinson's disease (PD) is unknown. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the safety, tolerability, and feasibility of plasma infusions in people with PD. Methods: A total of 15 people with clinically established PD, at least 1 cognitive complaint, and on stable therapy received 1 unit of young fresh frozen plasma twice a week for 4 weeks. Assessments and adverse effects were performed/reported on and off therapy at baseline, immediately after, and 4 weeks after the infusions ended. Adverse effects were also assessed during infusions. The primary outcomes were safety, tolerability, and feasibility. Exploratory outcomes included Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III off medication, neuropsychological battery, Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39, inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6), uric acid, and quantitative kinematics. Results: Adherence rate was 100% with no serious adverse effects. There was evidence of improvement in phonemic fluency (P = 0.002) and in the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 stigma subscore (P = 0.013) that were maintained at the delayed evaluation. Elevated baseline tumor necrosis factor-α levels decreased 4 weeks after the infusions ended. Conclusions: Young fresh frozen plasma was safe, feasible, and well tolerated in people with PD, without serious adverse effects and with preliminary evidence for improvements in phonemic fluency and stigma. The results of this study warrant further therapeutic investigations in PD and provide safety and feasibility data for plasma therapy in people with PD who may be at higher risk for severe complications of COVID-19.

Rejuvenation of young blood on aging organs: Effects, circulating factors, and mechanisms

“…A study (NCT02968433) has confirmed that young plasma treatment for four weeks improves phonemic fluency (P = 0.002) and the stigma subscore of the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (P = 0.013) after four weeks of maintenance in aged Parkinson's patients [ 88 ].…”

The Role of Blood-Derived Factors in Protection and Regeneration of Aged Tissues

“…Further, blood levels of the inflammatory marker TNFα were elevated before treatment with young blood plasma but decreased after 4 weeks post transfusion. However, young blood plasma seemed to have no effect on the levels of other inflammatory markers such as interleukin 6 (IL6) [ 147 ]. Here, more independent data would be useful to evaluate the impact of young human blood plasma on the inflammatory marker profile of elderly or diseased individuals.…”

Current Therapies in Clinical Trials of Parkinson’s Disease: A 2021 Update

“…CEP-1347 (KT7515) is a semisynthetic inhibitor of the mixed lineage kinase family; it promotes neuronal survival by inhibiting c-Jun amino-terminal kinases (JNKs) activation [ 110 ]. CEP-1347 was in phase II/III trial and was terminated by Cephalon due to insignificant trial results ( Table 1 ) (NCT00040404) [ 56 , 111 ]. The published trial results showed that urate and its determinants caused the disease progression [ 56 ].…”

“…CEP-1347 was in phase II/III trial and was terminated by Cephalon due to insignificant trial results ( Table 1 ) (NCT00040404) [ 56 , 111 ]. The published trial results showed that urate and its determinants caused the disease progression [ 56 ]. Moreover, CEP-1347 treatment fails to slower disease progression in early PD patients [ 111 ].…”