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Beyond Amyloid: Targeting Co-Aggregating Proteins and Targeted Degradation Strategies in Alzheimer's Disease
Martina Monaco1, Alessandra Pinto1, Massimo Grilli1,2
1Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Genoa, Viale Cembrano 4, 16148 Genoa, Italy.
Abstract:
Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves a constellation of molecular processes that extend well beyond amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation. Recent anti-amyloid antibodies provide limited clinical benefits, highlighting the need for additional strategies due to their modest efficacy and safety concerns. Increasing proteomic evidence reveals that proteins such as midkine (MDK), pleiotrophin (PTN) and clusterin (CLU) accumulate within amyloid plaques and may shape disease progression, although their precise contributions-protective, pathogenic, or both-remain unknown. In this Perspective, we examine how emerging targeted protein degradation (TPD) technologies, including Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs), Lysosome-Targeting Chimeras (LYTACs) and molecular glues (MGs), could provide a means to selectively eliminate these co-aggregating proteins. We also discuss advances in degrader design, artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted screening, and strategies aimed at enhancing Central Nervous System (CNS) delivery. We finally outline how integrating TPD modalities with antibody-based and multi-target therapeutic approaches may promote more effective, systems-level interventions for AD.
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