AB Science Highlights Promising Results with Masitinib for ALS Patients

AB Science announced a significant publication on medRxiv showcasing the potential of masitinib in enhancing survival rates and maintaining quality of life for ALS patients. The treatment demonstrated a 5-year survival rate of 42.3%, notably higher than historical averages. For patients without prior functionality loss, this rate increased to 52.9%, emphasizing the importance of early intervention.

Furthermore, 49% of long-term survivors maintained independence from mechanical aids. Masitinib-treated individuals showed a median survival of 121 months, far exceeding the 42 months predicted by the ENCALS model, suggesting a survival gain of 79 months.

Masitinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, targets microglial and mast cell activity in ALS. This raises the possibility of identifying a specific patient subgroup responsive to this treatment, potentially using a new plasma biomarker for better patient selection.