Leucovorin cancer drug can be promising for the treatment of autism, say administration officials

At a press conference on Monday on various autism subjects, federal health officials noted the potential of a cancer drug existing to double as therapy for the neurodevelopmental condition.

The FDA commissioner, Marty Makary, the director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Jay Bhattacharya, and the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Mehmet Oz discussed the research suggesting that Leucuvorine, a vitamin of prescription used to treat cancer and anemia, is effective in an outstanding use for children with autism.

The FDA plans to approve leucuvorine prescription as a “potential treatment of deficits linked to the word associated with the ASD”, according to a press release from HHS. The agency will update the leukuvorine label in order to indicate a treatment for a cerebral folate deficiency, which has been associated with autism.

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After updating the label, Medicaid state programs will be able to cover the drug for the treatment of autism, the press release said.

The NIH will also launch new research initiatives on the safety and efficiency of Leucovorine.

On Monday, health officials noted the potential of a cancer drug existing to double as therapy for autism, a neurodevelopmental condition. (istock)

What is Leucovorine?

Studies have shown that leucuvorine could help some non -verbal children acquire the ability to speak.

According to Katy Dubinsky, New York pharmacist and CEO and CEO and co -founder of Vitalize, a New York pharmacist and the CEO and co -founder of Vitalize, a private supplements company.

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“Leucuvorine is approved by the FDA to reduce the toxic effects of high -dose methotrexate in cancer treatment and to prevent or treat certain types of anemia caused by folate deficiency,” Dubinsky told Fox News Digital.

“Leucuvorine is a special form of vitamin B9 which is soluble in water and does not accumulate in your body.”

Although Leucovorine is not yet prescribed for the treatment of autism, some families have noted that its out -of -AMM use has led to significant improvements in the communication skills of autistic children, according to experts.

Richard E. Frye, MD, PH.D., neurologist of behavioral children in Arizona, studied the drug in his research on experimental treatments for children with autistic spectrum disorders.

“Leucuvorine is a special form of vitamin B9 which is soluble in water and does not accumulate in your body,” he previously told Fox News Digital.

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“Folats have proven to be sure in the long term for many years and that is why we are completing our food with a folate.”

The main advantage of leucuvorine for autistic children is the improvement of language, said Frye, but other advantages may include an improved social function, reduced repetitive behavior and stronger attention skills.

Leucuvorine, a prescription vitamin used to treat cancer and anemia, has been demonstrated in effective studies in out -of -MA use for autistic children. (istock)

“We find that Leucovorine helps a significant number of autistic children,” he said. “Language is one of the most obvious things is what we have measured in our clinical trial.”

Dr. Marc Siegel, The professor of clinical medicine at Nyu Langone Health and the main medical analyst of Fox News, also explained to Fox News Digital of the reason why the drug could have this positive impact.

“Leucuvorine is given at much higher doses than ordinary vitamins, it is therefore very important to work with a doctor well informed of the way of prescribing it.”

“Central Folate deficiency is a lack of folate in the brain, which can interfere with neurological function,” he said earlier this year. “A high percentage of children with autism spectrum disorder has proven to have antibodies against the folic alpha receptor in the brain.”

Leucuvorine is converted into folate in the brain by another way, said Siegel.

“Small studies show that this improves neurological function and communication skills in children with ASD, but greater studies must be carried out.”

Experts encourage caution

The fact that Leucuvorine has already been used in the long term helps reduce the associated risk, according to doctors.

“One of the advantages of the use of leucuvorine is that it is used for decades to protect the body from the effects of chemotherapy, so we know what dose use and the side effects it can produce,” Fye News Digital told Fox News.

However, some children become “extremely hyperactive”, do not respond to leucuvorine and need alternative treatments, noted the doctor.

The main advantage of leucuvorine for autistic children is the improvement of language, say doctors, but other advantages may include an improved social function, reduced repetitive behavior and stronger attention skills. (istock)

It is important that families work with a healthcare professional when exploring the use of leucuvorine for autism, he advised.

“Leucuvorine is given at much higher doses than ordinary vitamins, it is therefore very important to work with a doctor well informed of the way of prescribing it,” said Frye.

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While leucuvorine is available in pharmacies, Frye said that some children need a composed form because they are sensitive to certain additives of commercial products.

“Our goal is to have Leucovorine approved by the FDA for autism so that it can be largely prescribed for children as one of the first treatments once they are diagnosed,” he said.

Although Leucovorine is not prescribed for the treatment of autism, some families have found that its out -of -MA use has led to significant improvements in the communication skills of autistic children. (istock)

Doctors agreed by Dubinsky can prescribe the “widely used and well -tolerated drug” for the treatment of autism on the basis of their “clinical judgment and emerging evidence” – but also stressed the importance of clinical trials.

“FDA approval would provide stronger medical support, making it recognized rather than a simple out-of-MA option,” she told Fox News Digital.

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“This could cause insurance coverage, standardized dosage directives and wider acceptance in the medical community.”

Siegel has added that leucuvorine is a “safe drug” and should be considered for large -scale use depending on the results of recent research.

‘No magic ball’

Frye said that there was “no magic solution” for autism, many children benefiting from a combination of multiple treatments.

“It is unlikely that leucuvorine be used alone-it should be used with behavior and speech therapy,” he said. “We believe that leucuvorine can improve the results of these therapies.”

An expert underlined that there is “no magic solution” for autism, many children benefiting from a combination of multiple treatments. (istock)

Andy Shih, Ph.D., director of autism sciences, Speaks in New York, noted that the experience of each child with autism is unique.

“There is little evidence suggesting that the advantages observed (in individual cases) can be generalized to the wider autistic community,” he previously told Fox News Digital.

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“While some small studies have explored Leucuvorine as a potential treatment for autistic people, larger clinical trials are necessary to determine its efficiency and safety. We urge families to consult their doctors before considering non -label treatments.”

Dubinsky has added that if larger studies confirm the effectiveness of Leucuvorine, this could become more accessible treatment for autistic children who could benefit from it.