Novartis cancer drug may also work for Parkinson's

Berlin

A NOVARTIS AG drug used for treating leukemia may also work for patients with Parkinson's disease, judging from one small and early clinical test.

An early stage trial conducted by the Georgetown University Medical Center found a small dose of the medicine, Tasigna, produced "meaningful clinical improvements" in 10 out of 11 patients, the university said in a statement on Saturday. Unlike standard clinical tests, this one did not include a control group for comparison.