King’s College London researchers test experimental Alzheimer’s drug

Scientists at King’s College London have reported promising results with an experimental compound, KCL-286, which targets biological mechanisms linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Unlike traditional treatments that focus primarily on clearing amyloid-beta plaques or tau protein tangles, KCL-286 aims to address early-stage cellular disruptions.

The compound works by reducing neuroinflammation and repairing double-strand DNA breaks, which are severe forms of genetic damage. Originally developed to promote tissue regeneration following spinal cord injuries, KCL-286 stimulates a protein within the retinoic acid signaling pathway. This pathway is involved in how the body processes vitamin A and is linked to the formation of amyloid-beta plaques.

Lead researcher Dr. Maria Gonsalves noted that by targeting inflammation and DNA repair, the drug may influence the actual progression of the disease rather than just managing symptoms. Because the substance has already undergone Phase I clinical trials for safety and tolerability, its development trajectory toward human clinical trials may be accelerated.