Lito Sousa receives experimental treatment for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Influencer Lito Sousa has begun receiving an experimental treatment for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare and rapidly progressing neurodegenerative condition. Because there are currently no approved medications for the disease, Sousa was granted access to the compound ALN-6457 through a “compassionate use” mechanism.

The experimental drug, developed by the American company Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, arrived in Brazil following a coordinated effort between the Federal Revenue Service and Anvisa to expedite its release. The medication aims to prevent the production of new prion proteins that cause brain cell damage.

Sousa’s wife, Mila Seidl, reported that the application took place while he was in the intensive care unit and noted that he has not had a reaction to the product. Seidl also highlighted the importance of the visibility surrounding Sousa’s case in accelerating access to experimental medical research in Brazil.