Leqembi (Lecanemab) at Penn Memory Center
On this page, you’ll find common questions about Leqembi (lecanemab), a treatment for early Alzheimer’s disease, and answers from Penn Medicine.
Learn more about other disease-modifying therapies here.
About Leqembi
What is Leqembi (lecanemab)?
Leqembi is a drug developed by BioArctic AB, Biogen, and Eisai Co., Ltd. Leqembi has been found to slow cognitive decline in people living with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. Lecanemab is the scientific name of the drug. It is marketed as Leqembi.
Who will be eligible for Leqembi?
Individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild-stage dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease are eligible to receive Leqembi. This drug is not safe for people who are on blood thinners.
How does Leqembi work?
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease have a build-up of a protein, amyloid-beta, in their brains. These are commonly called “amyloid plaques.” Lecanemab is a human monoclonal antibody synthesized in a laboratory that selectively targets amyloid-beta.
Studies show that lecanemab reduces the build-up of amyloid-beta. It also slows the declines in a person’s ability to carry out day-to-day activities.
How is Leqembi administered?
The drug is given as an hour-long intravenous (IV) infusion every two weeks.
Eligibility and Screening Process
How do I know if I qualify for Leqembi?
Eligibility is determined through several assessments:
- Cognitive evaluation by your doctor
- MRI to check for micro-hemorrhages in the brain
- Blood tests to rule out other causes of cognitive impairment
- APOE genetic testing to assess potential treatment risks
- Testing for the presence of amyloid in the brain via PET scan or lumbar puncture
Read more about Leqembi Screening Process and Eligibility
Costs and Insurance
How much does Leqembi cost?
Leqembi’s annual price is set at $26,500. Insurance coverage details, including Medicare, are still being determined.
APOE Genetic Testing and Leqembi
What is the APOE gene?
The APOE gene influences both your risk for Alzheimer’s and your risk of side effects from Leqembi. There are three variations (e2, e3, e4). If you have one or two copies of the e4 variant, your risk of side effects like brain swelling (ARIA) is higher. Knowing your APOE status helps you and your doctor decide if Leqembi is right for you.
More about APOE Testing and Leqembi FAQ
Leqembi Side Effects
What are the risks of Leqembi?
The most common side effects include:
- ARIA (Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities): Brain swelling and micro-hemorrhages, often asymptomatic but detected on MRIs
- Other side effects: Headaches, falls, diarrhea, and hypersensitivity reactions
Learn more about Leqembi Side Effects
Leqembi Treatment Requirements
In addition to bi-weekly infusions, patients receiving Leqembi need:
- MRI scans before the 5th, 7th, and 14th infusions to monitor for brain swelling or bleeding
- Consent for data collection if covered by Medicare
Learn more about Treatment Requirements
Do you live outside the Philadelphia region for long stretches?
At the Penn Memory Center, patient safety is a top priority. This is especially true when administering anti-amyloid therapies, which require close monitoring due to the risks of Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities (ARIA). Given these safety concerns, we are currently administering infusions exclusively at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP).
The anti-amyloid therapy infusion policy is as follows:
- Patients will complete initial infusions and the first three safety MRIs at HUP.
- Penn Medicine is actively exploring options to collaborate with infusion centers closer to patients’ primary residences after the third safety MRI, but this cannot be guaranteed.
- Patients wishing to continue their infusions beyond the Greater Philadelphia region should identify a local neurologist or specialist to take over prescribing and monitoring responsibilities.
We are continuously working to improve convenience of care while maintaining the highest standard of care. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
More Information and Support
For specific questions regarding your condition or the condition of a loved one, please contact your physician or make an appointment with the clinicians at the Penn Memory Center. For general questions you can reach the Penn Memory Center at pennmemorycenter@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
Leqembi Resources:
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