Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative neurological disorder that is the 
most common cause of dementia and disability in older patients. Available 
treatments are symptomatic in nature and are only sufficient to improve the 
quality of life of AD patients temporarily. A potential strategy, currently 
under investigation, is to target cell-signaling pathways associated with 
neurodegeneration, in order to decrease neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity, and 
to improve cognitive functions. Current review centers on the role of 
neuroinflammation and the specific contribution of mast cells to AD 
pathophysiology. The authors look at masitinib therapy and the evidence 
presented through preclinical and clinical trials. Dual actions of masitinib as 
an inhibitor of mast cell-glia axis and a Fyn kinase blocker are discussed in 
the context of AD pathology. Masitinib is in Phase III clinical trials for the 
treatment of malignant melanoma, mastocytosis, multiple myeloma, 
gastrointestinal cancer and pancreatic cancer. It is also in Phase II/III 
clinical trials for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis 
and AD. Additional research is warranted to better investigate the potential 
effects of masitinib in combination with other drugs employed in AD treatment.