Treatment of
Huntington's disease
The treatment of Huntington's disease (HD) may undergo a revolution in the coming years.
This is because some drugs are being studied for the treatment of Huntington's disease.
The new drugs seek to treat Huntington's disease are being studied with humans, and act on the disease gene itself.
In this way, the drugs seek to reduce the expression of the diseased gene, reducing the symptoms and, perhaps, the progression of the disease. These drugs are not yet available. Some of these medicines had in 2020, some stages interrupted. But it is hoped that in the coming years we will have more effective drugs.
But are there any new drugs for Huntington's Disease?
In 2022, a new drug was approved for theHuntington's disease, called Austedo® (deutetrabenazine).
Austedo is a medicine used for the symptoms of chorea, present in Huntington's Disease
Austedo does not seek, however, to prevent the progression of the disease. But it can be helpful in controlling the symptom of chorea. Especially when under medical follow-up with a neurologist.
Huntington's disease is a rare genetic neurodegenerative disease. However, as it is hereditary, it can occur in several people in the same family.
The disease manifests through motor symptoms (related to body movements), psychiatric symptoms and cognitive symptoms.
The current treatment of Huntington's disease
The current treatment of Huntington's disease consists of symptom control.
In the treatment of chorea, there are drugs that deplete dopamine, such as Tetrabenazine and Deutetrabenazine, which are able to significantly reduce abnormal movements.
For the treatment of psychiatric disorders, which is often important, the treatment is carried out in a similar way to the patient who does not have HD, objectively treating the symptoms of depression, anxiety and behavioral changes. Thus, antidepressant, anxiolytic and antipsychotic drugs are often used.
It is very important to have a multidisciplinary approach with follow-up with:
Neurologist
Physiotherapy
Occupational therapy
Speech therapy
Psychology
Nutritionist
Hope for Huntington
There are currently studies of gene therapy. These researches aim to seek to modify the gene that is altered. This should be the path to disease-modifying treatment and, possibly, disease cure.
Latest news in the treatment of
Huntington's disease
The drug named Tominersen (formerly called Ionis-HTTRx/RG6042) from Roche®, one of the first genetic treatments has unfortunately been discontinued.
The study included patients in the early stages of the disease and was divided "blindly" into two groups. There are no details yet as to why it was discontinued, but there are some other drugs with similar action that are being studied as well.
Updated on 20/03/2023
Treatment of Korea in Huntington's Disease
The Drug called Austedo® (deutetrabenazine), from the TEVA laboratory, was approved recently, for the treatment of chorea associated with Huntington's disease.
There is an understanding that the Austedo® will also be useful for other chorea syndromes (other illnesses that have the symptom of chorea).