Researchers at the Hawaii Parkinson’s Disease Center and Hawaii Parkinson’s Research Unit are participating in groundbreaking research evaluating prasinezumab, an investigational monoclonal antibody that may become the first disease-modifying treatment to slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease. This research is part of the PARAISO clinical study, focusing on targeting aggregated α-synuclein, a key pathological protein involved in Parkinson’s disease .
Parkinson’s Disease and the Need for Disease-Modifying Therapies
According to Prothena and Roche, Parkinson’s disease affects more than 10 million people worldwide. While current treatments can help manage motor symptoms such as tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia, no approved therapies currently slow or stop the underlying progression of the disease .
This unmet need has driven global research efforts to develop therapies that target the biological mechanisms responsible for Parkinson’s disease rather than only addressing symptoms.
What Is Prasinezumab?
Prasinezumab is an investigational monoclonal antibody designed to bind to aggregated alpha-synuclein, a protein that accumulates abnormally in the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease. These aggregates are believed to contribute to neuronal toxicity and disease progression.
By binding aggregated α-synuclein, prasinezumab aims to:
- Reduce neuronal toxicity
- Prevent further accumulation of pathological protein
- Limit the spread of alpha-synuclein between brain cells
- Potentially slow clinical disease progression
Evidence from the PADOVA Study
The PADOVA study evaluated prasinezumab in 586 individuals with early-stage Parkinson’s disease who were treated for a minimum of 18 months while on stable symptomatic therapy.
Key findings included:
- Trends toward reduced motor progression at 104 weeks (two years)
- 30–40% relative reduction in motor progression compared with placebo
- Consistent findings across overall and levodopa-treated populations
- Favorable safety profile, with no new safety signals observed
The safety database for prasinezumab now includes data from more than 900 Parkinson’s disease participants, with:
- Over 750 participants continuing in open-label treatment
- More than 500 individuals treated for 1.5 to 5 years
The PARAISO Clinical Study
The PARAISO study is designed to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) prasinezumab in participants with early-stage Parkinson’s disease.
Who May Qualify?
- Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
- Currently receiving Parkinson’s medications
- Eligible for participation in an early-stage PD research study
Research Leadership in Hawaiʻi
This research is led locally by Kore Liow, MD, Principal Investigator, Neurologist, and Neuroscience Chair at Hawaii Pacific Neuroscience, and Clinical Professor of Medicine (Neurology) at the University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine.
“Our team of neurologists, neuroscience specialists, and researchers in Hawaii cannot be more proud to be part of this groundbreaking research to develop treatments to potentially slow Parkinson’s disease progression.” — Kore Liow, MD
Learn More or Inquire About Participation
For more information about this Parkinson’s disease research study, individuals may:
- Review details through NIH clinical trial resources
- Contact the Hawaii Parkinson’s Disease Center & Hawaii Parkinson’s Research Unit
