Nilotinib In Parkinson’s Disease: A Therapeutic Pathway Yet to Be Fulfilled

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, characterised by the loss of dopaminergic neurons and accumulation of α-synuclein, resulting in the development of motor and non-motor symptoms. Multiple studies have demonstrated an increased activation of Abelson tyrosine kinase (c-Abl) in PD, suggesting that it is a potential target for treatment. Nilotinib, a selective c-Abl inhibitor approved to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, has demonstrated neuroprotective effects in preclinical PD models by reducing neurodegeneration and promoting α-synuclein clearance. This prompted further preliminary clinical studies, in which nilotinib was found to positively affect biomarker levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and enhance motor and cognitive outcomes in individuals with advanced PD. This review aims to analyze the efficacy of nilotinib as a potential disease-modifying treatment in PD.