Toxicity of quinacrine can be reduced by co-administration of P-glycoprotein inhibitor in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2004 Dec;24(6):873-5. doi: 10.1007/s10571-004-6926-7.

Abstract

1. Recent publication has suggested that quinacrine may be a candidate for treatment of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). But serious toxicity of quinacrine to liver and hematological system has been reported. 2. We disclosed the permeability of quinacrine can be enhanced by presence of p-glycoprotein inhibitor at blood-brain barrier in vitro. Therefore, we tried the protocol of combination of quinacrine and p-glycoprotein inhibitor, verapamil for patients with CJD. 3. When compared clinical effects by quinacrine and the combination therapy, improvement of clinical findings was observed at the same level without any adverse effects. Low-dose quinacrine with verapamil can be used as safe treatment of CJD.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1 / metabolism
  • Aged
  • Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Quinacrine / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Quinacrine / therapeutic use
  • Quinacrine / toxicity*
  • Verapamil / pharmacology
  • Verapamil / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 1
  • Verapamil
  • Quinacrine