Breakthrough Parkinson’s pill could treat disease early and relieve symptoms without side-effects

alone is enough to cure these men.

Dr Matthew Hobbs, director of research for Prostate Cancer UK, said “This tool could make a huge difference for men. We know that the side effects that come with hormone therapy – a treatment that completely suppresses testosterone – are varied, extremely difficult to live with, and can last a very long time even after treatment finishes.

The daily capsule comprises a combination of two existing Parkinson’s medications, rasagiline and pramipexole, given at low doses in a slowrelease formula, the idea being that the complementary mechanisms work together to increase levels of dopamine in the brain – a key trigger of the disease.

The use of low doses means the drugs won’t cause the unpleasant side effects when used alone at much higher dosage, including nausea, muscle spasms or weakness, dizziness and sleep problems.

In a recent trial, patients who took the new low-dose combination, known as P2B001, experienced the same improvements to their symptoms as seen with a standard treatment, but with significantly fewer side-effects.

If the drug combination is approved by the regulatory authorities, it could mean patients receive drug therapy as soon as they are diagnosed, rather than being monitored until symptoms worsen.

Claire Bale from charity Parkinson’s UK, said of the findings “The results from the recent trial show that giving the two drugs together provides better symptom control than using either alone and seems to have fewer side effects.

“Many people with Parkinson’s take multiple medication throughout the day, so if this new drug could reduce this burden, then that would be a significant step forward.”

Ai could Thousandsspare of men with prostate cancer unnecessary treatment

Men with prostate cancer which has an intermediate risk of spreading when they receive radiotherapy treatment are currently offered hormone therapy for between six months and three years at the same time. However, AI, which searches for biological patterns in the cancer cells taken from biopsies at the point of diagnosis, can identify those who would not benefit from hormone therapy, saving them from unnecessary and potentially unpleasant side effects.

It is suggested that 60 per cent of those currently prescribed hormone therapy should not be given it and radiotherapy

“Men with prostate cancer regularly tell us about the extremely negative impact this treatment has on their quality of life. For men who need it, hormone therapy is a life-saving treatment, and the tradeoff is worth it, but this tool tells us that currently many thousands of men are suffering those side effects needlessly.

“Implementing this tool across the NHS could significantly reduce the harm that prostate cancer causes.

“The results we have seen are extraordinarily impressive and, being based on multiple high-quality academic trials with long follow-up, are also robust and believable.

“We know that the company is keen to bring this tool to the NHS and hope that individual NHS trusts, as well as system-wide decision makers will work with them to remove any barriers and deliver this benefit for men as quickly as possible.”

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