Insights into high‐risk or unusual ARIA: manifestations and individualized approaches to management through cases from DIAN‐TU gantenerumab open‐label study
Authors: Atri Alireza , Llibre‐Guerra Jorge J. , Clifford David B. , McDade Eric , Li Yan , Mills Susan , Santacruz Anna , Wang Guoqiao , Supnet Charlene B , Benzinger Tammie L.S. , Gordon Brian A. , Ibanez Laura , Wojtowicz Jakub , Klein Gregory , Baudler Monika , Kerchner Geoffrey A. , Bateman Randall J. 
Published: January 2025

Background

Amyloid‐related Imaging Abnormalities (ARIA) are side effects of beta‐amyloid plaque‐lowering monoclonal antibody drugs (APLmAbs). Understanding of ARIA mechanisms, risks, nature, evolution and optimal approaches to mitigation and management remains incomplete. Sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) trials support ARIA risk factors including higher APLmAb doses/exposures, ApoE4‐carrier status, and presence/severity of microhemorrhages (MCH)/superficial siderosis. ARIA can present and evolve across a wide spectrum of radiographic and clinical profiles and be mitigated through patient selection, clinical/MRI surveillance/detection, monitoring and management practices. Through atypical cases selected from participants with dominantly‐inherited AD (Cognitively unimpaired/CU or MCI stages) treated with an APLmAb, insights are shared into unusual manifestations or high‐risk ARIA (e.g. multiple recurrences, multifocal or radiologically severe) and approaches to participant‐centered shared decision‐making and individualized management.

Method

Clinical and imaging course, management and insights from 5 selected cases with unusual profiles or high‐risk ARIA‐E (± ARIA‐H) from the DIAN‐TU Gantenerumab Open‐label trial will be presented.

Result

Case#1: “Recurrent ARIA‐E over 6 years” with 6 asymptomatic unifocal/multifocal ARIA‐E events over six‐years in CU participant (CDR 0.0, MMSE 29, Expected‐Year‐of‐Onset AD symptoms [EYO]+2.5 years, e4‐heterozygous). Case#2: “Recurrent ARIA‐E with accumulating +32 MCHs” in participant with MCI (CDR 0.5, MMSE 28, EYO+6 years, e4‐heterozygous) treated with oral steroids. Case#3 and Case#4: “Late‐Onset” ARIA‐E with development of ARIA‐E late in the course of treatment with high‐dose gantenerumab (e.g. years into treatment initiation/titration and tolerance of 1500mg Q2W for >6 months) in two CU participants (CDR 0.0, MMSE 30, ∼EYO‐6 years) with no previous history of ARIA‐E. Case#3 (e4‐heterozygous) developed unifocal (13mm) asymptomatic ARIA‐E, continued on treatment with resolution of ARIA‐E. Case#4 (e4‐non‐carrier) developed radiographically severe multifocal and multilobar, mildly symptomatic ARIA‐E (+1 ARIA‐H superficial siderosis); gantenrumab was held but ARIA increased, and then resolved after IV pulse‐steroids with oral taper. Case#5 “Recurrent ARIA‐E in same area in CU participant with EYO+10 years (CDR 0.0, MMSE 29, e4‐heterozygous).

Conclusion

These illustrative cases may provide insights into unusual profiles (e.g. Late‐onset/“delayed” or CU with +EYO) or high‐risk ARIA‐E and suggest potential approaches and considerations for clinicians and trialists to individualize APLmAb treatment and ARIA detection, monitoring and management.