Successes and failures: the latest advances in the clinical development of amyloid–β–targeting monoclonal antibodies for treating Alzheimer's disease

The amyloid cascade hypothesis postulated that the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) was the first step of the Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathological process. Effective reduction of Aβ plaque load by numerous drug candidates, among which anti-Aβ monoclonal antibodies, has produced discussible clinical successes and several failures. It was questioned whether Aβ may be the principal AD pathogenic factor and a valid therapeutic target and if targeting Aβ different species could make the difference.