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Background & aimsLysosomal acid lipase deficiency is an autosomal recessive enzyme deficiency resulting in lysosomal accumulation of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides. LAL-CL04, an ongoing extension study, investigates the long-term effects of sebelipase alfa, a recombinant human lysosomal acid lipase.MethodsSebelipase alfa (1mg/kg or 3mg/kg) was infused every-other-week to eligible subjects. Safety and tolerability assessments, including liver function, lipid profiles and liver volume assessment, were carried out at regular intervals.Results216 infusions were administered to eight adult subjects through week 52 during LAL-CL04. At week 52, mean alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were normal with mean change from baseline of -58% and -40%. Mean changes for low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein were -60%, -39%, -36%, and +29%, respectively. Mean liver volume by magnetic resonance imaging and hepatic proton density fat fraction decreased (12% and 55%, respectively). Adverse events were mainly mild and unrelated to sebelipase alfa. Infusion-related reactions were uncommon: three events of moderate severity were reported in two subjects; one patient's event was suggestive of a hypersensitivity-like reaction, but additional testing did not confirm this, and the subject has successfully re-started sebelipase alfa. Of samples tested to date, no anti-drug antibodies have been detected.ConclusionsLong-term dosing with sebelipase alfa in lysosomal acid lipase-deficient patients is well tolerated and produces sustained reductions in transaminases, improvements in serum lipid profile and reduction in the hepatic fat fraction. A randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial in children and adults is underway (ARISE: NCT01757184).

UnlabelledCholesteryl ester storage disease (CESD), an inherited deficiency of lysosomal acid lipase (LAL), is an underappreciated cause of progressive liver disease with no approved therapy. Presenting features include dyslipidemia, elevated transaminases, and hepatomegaly. To assess the clinical effects and safety of the recombinant human LAL, sebelipase alfa, nine patients received four once-weekly infusions (0.35, 1, or 3 mg·kg(-1) ) in LAL-CL01, which is the first human study of this investigational agent. Patients completing LAL-CL01 were eligible to enroll in the extension study (LAL-CL04) in which they again received four once-weekly infusions of sebelipase alfa (0.35, 1, or 3 mg·kg(-1) ) before transitioning to long-term every-other-week infusions (1 or 3 mg·kg(-1) ). Sebelipase alfa was well tolerated, with mostly mild adverse events unrelated to sebelipase alfa. No antidrug antibodies were detected. Transaminases decreased in patients in LAL-CL01 and increased between studies. In seven patients receiving ongoing sebelipase alfa treatment in LAL-CL04, the mean ± standard deviation (SD) decreases for alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase at week 12 compared to the baseline values in LAL-CL01 were 46 ± 21 U/L (-52%) and 21 ± 14 U/L (-36%), respectively (P ≤ 0.05). Through week 12 of LAL-CL04, these seven patients also showed mean decreases from baseline in total cholesterol of 44 ± 41 mg/dL (-22%; P = 0.047), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol of 29 ± 31 mg/dL (-27%; P = 0.078), and triglycerides of 50 ± 38 mg/dL (-28%, P = 0.016) and increases in high density lipoprotein-cholesterol of 5 mg/dL (15%; P = 0.016).ConclusionThese data establish that sebelipase alfa, an investigational enzyme replacement, in patients with CESD is well tolerated, rapidly decreases serum transaminases, and that these improvements are sustained with long-term dosing and are accompanied by improvements in serum lipid profile.

Background Pegunigalsidase alfa is a PEGylated a-galactosidase A enzyme replacement therapy. BALANCE (NCT02795676) assessed non-inferiority of pegunigalsidase alfa versus agalsidase beta in adults with Fabry disease with an annualised estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope more negative than -2 mL/min/1.73 m2/year who had received agalsidase beta for =1 year. Methods Patients were randomly assigned 2:1 to receive 1 mg/kg pegunigalsidase alfa or agalsidase beta every 2 weeks for 2 years. The primary efficacy analysis assessed non-inferiority based on median annualised eGFR slope differences between treatment arms. Results Seventy-seven patients received either pegunigalsidase alfa (n=52) or agalsidase beta (n=25). At baseline, mean (range) age was 44 (18-60) years, 47 (61%) patients were male, median eGFR was 74.5 mL/min/1.73 m2 and median (range) eGFR slope was -7.3 (-30.5, 6.3) mL/min/1.73 m2/year. At 2 years, the difference between median eGFR slopes was -0.36 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, meeting the prespecified non-inferiority margin. Minimal changes were observed in lyso-Gb3 concentrations in both treatment arms at 2 years. Proportions of patients experiencing treatment-related adverse events and mild or moderate infusion-related reactions were similar in both groups, yet exposure-adjusted rates were 3.6-fold and 7.8-fold higher, respectively, with agalsidase beta than pegunigalsidase alfa. At the end of the study, neutralising antibodies were detected in 7 out of 47 (15%) pegunigalsidase alfa-treated patients and 6 out of 23 (26%) agalsidase beta-treated patients. There were no deaths. Conclusions Based on rate of eGFR decline over 2 years, pegunigalsidase alfa was non-inferior to agalsidase beta. Pegunigalsidase alfa had lower rates of treatment-emergent adverse events and mild or moderate infusion-related reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Niemann‐Pick disease type C (NPC) and Tangier disease are genetically and clinically distinct rare inborn errors of metabolism. NPC is caused by defects in either NPC1 or NPC2; whereas Tangier disease is caused by a defect in ABCA1. Tangier disease is currently without therapy, whereas NPC can be treated with miglustat, a small molecule inhibitor of glycosphingolipid biosynthesis that slows the neurological course of the disease. When a Tangier disease patient was misdiagnosed with NPC and treated with miglustat, her symptoms improved. This prompted us to consider whether there is mechanistic convergence between these two apparently unrelated rare inherited metabolic diseases. In this study, we found that when ABCA1 is defective (Tangier disease) there is secondary inhibition of the NPC disease pathway, linking these two diseases at the level of cellular pathophysiology. In addition, this study further supports the hypothesis that miglustat, as well as other substrate reduction therapies, may be potential therapeutic agents for treating Tangier disease as fibroblasts from multiple Tangier patients were corrected by miglustat treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gaucher disease (GD) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by deficiency in acid beta-glucosidase. GD exhibits a wide clinical spectrum of disease severity with an unpredictable natural course. Plasma chitotriosidase activity and CC chemokine ligand 18 (CCL18) have been exchangeably used for monitoring GD activity and response to enzyme replacement therapy in conjunction with clinical assessment. Yet, a large-scale head-to-head comparison of these two biomarkers is currently lacking. We propose a collaborative systematic review with meta-analysis of individual participant data (IPD) to compare the accuracy of plasma chitotriosidase activity and CCL18 in assessing type I (i.e., non-neuropathic) GD severity. Methods: Eligible studies include cross-sectional, cohort, and randomized controlled studies recording both plasma chitotriosidase activity and CCL18 level at baseline and/or at follow-up in consecutive children or adult patients with type I GD. Pre-specified surrogate outcomes reflecting GD activity include liver and spleen volume, hemoglobin concentration, platelet count, and symptomatic bone events with imaging confirmation. Primary studies will be identified by searching Medline (1995 onwards), EMBASE (1995 onwards), and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL). Electronic search will be complemented by contacting research groups in order to identify unpublished relevant studies. Where possible, IPD will be extracted from published articles. Corresponding authors will be invited to collaborate by supplying IPD. The methodological quality of retrieved studies will be appraised for each study outcome, using a checklist adapted from the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. The primary outcome will be a composite of liver volume >1.25 multiple of normal (MN), spleen volume >5 MN, hemoglobin concentration <11 g/dL, or platelet count <100 x 10 9/L. Effect size estimates for biomarker comparative accuracy in predicting outcomes will be reported as differences in areas under receiver operating characteristic curves along with 95% confidence intervals. Effect size estimates will be reported as (weighted) mean differences along with 95% confidence intervals for each biomarker according to outcomes. IPD meta-analysis will be conducted with both one- and two-stage approaches. Discussion: Valid and precise accuracy estimates will be derived for CCL18 relative to plasma chitotriosidase activity in discriminating patients according to GD severity. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO 2015 CRD42015027243 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Fabry disease (FD) is a lysosomal storage disorder resulting in progressive nervous system, kidney and heart disease. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) may halt or attenuate disease progression. Since administration is burdensome and expensive, appropriate use is mandatory. We aimed to define European consensus recommendations for the initiation and cessation of ERT in patients with FD. Methods: A Delphi procedure was conducted with an online survey (n = 28) and a meeting (n = 15). Patient organization representatives were present at the meeting to give their views. Recommendations were accepted with =75% agreement and no disagreement. Results: For classically affected males, consensus was achieved that ERT is recommended as soon as there are early clinical signs of kidney, heart or brain involvement, but may be considered in patients of =16 years in the absence of clinical signs or symptoms of organ involvement. Classically affected females and males with non-classical FD should be treated as soon as there are early clinical signs of kidney, heart or brain involvement, while treatment may be considered in females with non-classical FD with early clinical signs that are considered to be due to FD. Consensus was achieved that treatment should not be withheld from patients with severe renal insufficiency (GFR < 45 ml/min/1.73 m2) and from those on dialysis or with cognitive decline, but carefully considered on an individual basis. Stopping ERT may be considered in patients with end stage FD or other co-morbidities, leading to a life expectancy of <1 year. In those with cognitive decline of any cause, or lack of response for 1 year when the sole indication for ERT is neuropathic pain, stopping ERT may be considered. Also, in patients with end stage renal disease, without an option for renal transplantation, in combination with advanced heart failure (NYHA class IV), cessation of ERT should be considered. ERT in patients who are non-compliant or fail to attend regularly at visits should be stopped. Conclusion: The recommendations can be used as a benchmark for initiation and cessation of ERT, although final decisions should be made on an individual basis. Future collaborative efforts are needed for optimization of these recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Sandhoff disease is a rare type of hereditary (autosomal recessive) GM2-gangliosidosis, which is caused by mutation of the HEXB gene. Disruption of the β subunit of the hexosaminidase (Hex) enzyme affects the function of both the Hex-A and Hex-B isoforms. The severity and the age of onset of the disease (infantile or classic; juvenile; adult) depends on the residual activity of the enzyme. The late-onset form is characterized by diverse symptomatology, comprising motor neuron disease, ataxia, tremor, dystonia, psychiatric symptoms and neuropathy., Methods: A 36-year-old female patient has been presenting progressive, symmetrical lower limb weakness for 9 years. Detailed neurological examination revealed mild symmetrical weakness in the hip flexors without the involvement of other muscle groups. The patellar reflex was decreased on both sides. Laboratory tests showed no relevant alteration and routine electroencephalography and brain MRI were normal. Nerve conduction studies and electromyography revealed alterations corresponding to sensory neuropathy. Muscle biopsy demonstrated signs of mild neurogenic lesion. Her younger brother (32-year-old) was observed with similar symptoms., Results: Detailed genetic study detected a known pathogenic missense mutation and a 15,088 base pair long known pathogenic deletion in the HEXB gene (NM&#95;000521.4:c.1417G>A; NM&#95;000521:c.-376-5836&#95;669+1473del; double heterozygous state). Segregation analysis and hexosaminidase enzyme assay of the family further confirmed the diagnosis of late-onset Sandhoff disease., Conclusion: The purpose of this case report is to draw attention to the significance of late-onset Sandhoff disease amongst disorders presenting with proximal predominant symmetric lower limb muscle weakness in adulthood.

Chitotriosidase activity and CCL18 concentration are interchangeably used for monitoring Gaucher disease (GD) activity, together with clinical assessment. However, comparative studies of these two biomarkers are scarce and of limited sample size. The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis of individual participant data (IPD) was to compare the accuracy of chitotriosidase activity and CCL18 concentration for assessing type I GD severity. We identified cross-sectional and prospective cohort studies by searching Medline, EMBASE, and CENTRAL from 1995 to June 2017, and by contacting research groups. The primary outcome was a composite of liver volume >1.25 multiple of normal (MN), spleen volume >5 MN, hemoglobin concentration <11 g/dL, and platelet count <100x109/L. Overall, IPD included 1109 observations from 334 patients enrolled in nine primary studies, after excluding 111 patients with undocumented values and 18 patients with deficient chitotriosidase activity. IPD were unavailable for 14 eligible primary studies. The primary outcome was associated with a 5.3-fold (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.2 to 6.6) and 3.0-fold (95% CI, 2.6 to 3.6) increase of the geometric mean for chitotriosidase activity and CCL18 concentration, respectively. The corresponding areas under the receiver operating characteristics curves were 0.82 and 0.84 (summary difference, 0.02, 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.05). The addition of chitotriosidase activity did not improve the accuracy of CCL18 concentration. Estimates remained robust in the sensitivity analysis and consistent across subgroups. Neither chitotriosidase activity nor CCL18 concentration varied significantly according to a recent history of bone events among 97 patients. In conclusion, CCL18 concentration is as accurate as chitotriosidase activity in assessing hematological and visceral parameters of GD severity and can be measured in all GD patients. This meta-analysis supports the use of CCL18 rather than chitotriosidase activity for monitoring GD activity in routine practice.

Objectives: The PRoposing Early Disease Indicators for Clinical Tracking in Fabry Disease (PREDICT-FD) initiative aimed to reach consensus among a panel of global experts on early indicators of disease progression that may justify FD-specific treatment initiation., Design and Setting: Anonymous feedback from panellists via online questionnaires was analysed using a modified Delphi consensus technique. Questionnaires and data were managed by an independent administrator directed by two non-voting cochairs. First, possible early indicators of renal, cardiac and central/peripheral nervous system (CNS/PNS) damage, and other disease and patient-reported indicators assessable in routine clinical practice were compiled by the cochairs and administrator from panellists' free-text responses. Second, the panel scored indicators for importance (5-point scale: 1=not important; 5=extremely important); indicators scoring ≥3 among >75% of panellists were then rated for agreement (5-point scale: 1=strongly disagree; 5=strongly agree). Indicators awarded an agreement score ≥4 by >67% of panellists achieved consensus. Finally, any panel-proposed refinements to consensus indicator definitions were adopted if >75% of panellists agreed., Results: A panel of 21 expert clinicians from 15 countries provided information from which 83 possible current indicators of damage (kidney, 15; cardiac, 15; CNS/PNS, 13; other, 16; patient reported, 24) were compiled. Of 45 indicators meeting the importance criteria, consensus was reached for 29 and consolidated as 27 indicators (kidney, 6; cardiac, 10; CNS/PNS, 2; other, 6; patient reported, 3) including: (kidney) elevated albumin:creatinine ratio, histological damage, microalbuminuria; (cardiac) markers of early systolic/diastolic dysfunction, elevated serum cardiac troponin; (CNS/PNS) neuropathic pain, gastrointestinal symptoms suggestive of gastrointestinal neuropathy; (other) pain in extremities/neuropathy, angiokeratoma; (patient-reported) febrile crises, progression of symptoms/signs. Panellists revised and approved proposed chronologies of when the consensus indicators manifest. The panel response rate was >95% at all stages., Conclusions: PREDICT-FD captured global opinion regarding current clinical indicators that could prompt FD-specific treatment initiation earlier than is currently practised., Competing Interests: Competing interests: DAH: advisory boards for Amicus, Sanofi, Shire (now part of Takeda); consulting fees from Amicus, Idorsia, Sanofi and Shire (now part of Takeda); honoraria from Amicus, Sanofi and Shire (now part of Takeda). PA: research grant and honoraria from Shire (now part of Takeda); honoraria from Amicus, Biomarin, Sanofi and Ultragenyx. PBD: speaker honoraria from and advisory boards for Takeda and Sanofi; consultancy for Sanofi. FE: travel grants and speaker honoraria from Pfizer, Sanofi Genzyme and Takeda. AF: research grants from Amicus and Shire. OL: travel grants and speaker honoraria from Amicus, Sanofi Genzyme and Shire HGT. AL: speaker’s honoraria or consultation fees from Amicus, Sanofi Genzyme and Takeda. J-CL: speaker’s honoraria and consultation fees from Shire. JCM: research grant and speaker honoraria from Sanofi Genzyme; advisory board for, and honoraria from ST; consulting fees from 4DMT. KN: research support and/or honoraria from Amicus, Idorsia, Protalix, Sanofi and Shire (now part of Takeda); advisory boards for Amicus, Sanofi and Shire (now part of Takeda). D-MN: research funding from Shire (now part of Takeda) and Sanofi. AN: honoraria and research support from Sanofi Genzyme and Shire (now part of Takeda). UR: advisory boards for Amicus, Chiesi, Idorsia and Shire; travel grants and honoraria from Amicus, Genzyme and Shire. RR: travel grants and speaker honoraria from Amicus and Shire HGT (now part of Takeda). PR: advisory board, consulting fees and research grant from Shire (now part of Takeda). RS: advisory boards for Amicus, Sanofi, Shire (now part of Takeda); honoraria from Amicus and Shire; research funding from Idorisia, Protalix, Sanofi Genzyme and Takeda. ES: speaker’s fees and travel support from Amicus, Sanofi Genzyme and Shire; advisory board honoraria from Amicus and Sanofi Genzyme. MT: advisory boards for Amicus, Sanofi and Shire (now part of Takeda); travel grants and speaker’s honoraria from Amicus, Sanofi and Shire; research funding from Amicus, AVROBIO and Idorsia. RT: travel grants, speaker’s honoraria or consultation fees from Amicus, Sanofi Genzyme and Takeda. BV: speaker’s fees and travel support from Greenovation, Sanofi Genzyme and Shire/Takeda; advisory board honoraria from Sanofi Genzyme. DGW: advisory boards for Amicus, Avrobio, Freeline Therapeutics, 4D-MT Technology, Idorsia and Protalix; honoraria and travel expenses from Amicus, Protalix and Sanofi; and equity interest in Reata Pharmaceuticals. MLW: advisory boards for Amicus, Sanofi and Shire (now part of Takeda); honoraria from Amicus, Sanofi and Shire; research funding from Amicus, Idorisia, Protalix and Shire. JJ: honoraria from Sanofi; travel expenses from Amicus and Sanofi. MJR is an employee of Oxford PharmaGenesis (Oxford, UK). SF: advisory boards for Amicus; consulting fees from Shire (now part of Takeda); contracted research from Shire (now part of Takeda); honoraria from Amicus, Sanofi and Shire (now part of Takeda); speaker’s bureau for Amicus, Sanofi and Shire (now part of Takeda); travel expenses from Amicus, Sanofi and Shire (now part of Takeda)., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

This paper describes the effects of a switch to velaglucerase alfa in a group of adult patients with type 1 Gaucher disease, all of whom had previously had their dose reduced as a consequence of the worldwide imiglucerase shortage. Thirty-two patients from two large European Gaucher centers switched to treatment with velaglucerase alfa after 1-8.5 months of dose reduction. The course of important Gaucher disease parameters was studied at four time points: one year before the shortage, just before the shortage, before a switch to velaglucerase and after up to one year of treatment with velaglucerase. These parameters included hemoglobin concentration, platelet count, plasma chitotriosidase activity in all patients, and spleen and liver volumes (as well as bone marrow fat fraction images) in 10 patients. Decreases in platelet counts as a result of reduced treatment with imiglucerase were quickly restored on treatment with velaglucerase alfa. Chitotriosidase activity declined overall after switching. Five out of 10 patients had an increase in liver volume of at least 10% after six months of velaglucerase treatment, which was reversible in 3. Most patients received infusions at home and no important side effects were observed. Velaglucerase alfa appears to be a safe and effective alternative for imiglucerase.

Introduction: The search for surrogate biomarkers of osteonecrosis, a disabling complication of Gaucher disease, has intensified in the last decade. Biomarkers that predict osteonecrosis and monitor the effectiveness of therapies would improve clinical practice and enrich the molecular exploration of this disorder., Areas Covered: Here we discuss advances in biomarker research with special reference to those biomarkers associated with Gaucher disease and investigated in the context of enzyme therapy. Much progress has been made in the diversification of treatment for the condition and several biomarker molecules, which may ultimately improve risk assessment for osteonecrosis, have been identified., Expert Opinion: The discovery of prospective biomarkers of osteonecrosis such as CCL18/PARC, CXCL8/IL-8, CCL5/RANTES, CCL3/MIP-1α, CCL4/MIP-1β, particularly during recurrent episodes occurring despite enzyme treatment, has the potential radically to change practices in the management of Gaucher disease and should improve therapeutic monitoring and prognostic evaluation. Ultimately, exploration of this field will provide the basis for a refined mechanistic understanding of pathogenesis.