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[HEALTH] · Brazil, United States · 60 sources

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Lito Sousa seeks experimental treatment for rare neurological disease

Aviation influencer Lito Sousa has been diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a rare and rapidly progressing neurodegenerative condition with no known cure. Sousa, known for his YouTube channel ‘Aviões e Músicas’, has shared emotional updates regarding his declining health, including loss of vision and motor functions.

His family is actively seeking access to experimental treatments abroad. While a potential option through Ionis Pharmaceuticals was unavailable due to closed studies, the Broad Institute (linked to Harvard and MIT) has placed him on a screening list for the PRiSM study, which uses RNA interference therapy. Participation remains subject to strict protocol criteria and FDA authorization.

The Brazilian Ministry of Health has intervened, formalizing requests to international researchers to evaluate his inclusion in clinical trials. The case has also sparked national discussions regarding legal rights and access to high-cost treatments for rare diseases in Brazil.

Entities

Alexandre Padilha · Broad Institute · Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease · Harvard University · Ionis Pharmaceuticals · Lito Sousa · Mila Seidl · Ministry of Health

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The Broad Institute is in contact with Lito Sousa's team to evaluate available treatment options.
  • [● 3 SOURCES] The Broad Institute offered Lito Sousa an initial interview for the PRiSM study, but participation would likely be in the control group without the experimental drug. gazetabrasil.com.br
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] The family reported receiving no contact or initiatives from the Brazilian Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the case. gazetabrasil.com.br
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Ionis Pharmaceuticals informed the family that the study for the experimental drug ION717 is closed to new participants. gazetabrasil.com.br
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Lito Sousa's family has not secured a spot in any clinical studies offering treatment for Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD). gazetabrasil.com.br
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Compassionate use of the ION717 substance is not currently authorized. gazetabrasil.com.br

Sources

21 days ago