Early start of enzyme replacement therapy in pediatric male patients with classical Fabry disease is associated with attenuated disease progression.

BACKGROUND: Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) slows disease progression of Fabry disease (FD), especially when initiated before the onset of irreversible organ damage. However, with the clinically asymptomatic progression of renal, cardiac and cerebral disease manifestations spanning decades, optimal timing of ERT initiation remains unclear. METHODS: In this cross-sectional retrospective study, seven male FD patients with a classical disease phenotype (cFD) who started treatment with agalsidase-beta in childhood were evaluated after 10 years of treatment (median age at evaluation 24 years, range 14-26). Cardiac imaging (echocardiography and MRI), electrophysiological and biochemical data of these patients were compared to those of untreated male cFD patients (n = 23, median age 22 years, range 13-27). RESULTS: Albuminuria was less common and less severe in treated patients (albumin to creatinine ratio, ACR 0-8.8 mg/mmol, median 0.4) compared to untreated patients (ACR 0-248 mg/mmol, median 3.7, p = 0.02). The treated group had a lower left ventricular mass, measured using echocardiography (median 80 g/m2 versus 94 g/m2, p = 0.02) and MRI (median 53 g/m2 versus 68 g/m2, p = 0.02). Myocardial fibrosis was absent in all included patients. eGFR was normal in all treated patients whereas 7/23 (30%) of untreated patients had abnormal eGFR. Cerebral manifestations did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: Start of treatment with ERT before age 16, in male cFD patients is associated with reduced occurrence of renal and cardiac manifestations of FD, as assessed by intermediate endpoints. Confirmation that this approach delays or even prevents renal failure and cardiac events requires another decade of follow-up.

Antibodies against recombinant alpha-galactosidase A in Fabry disease: Subclass analysis and impact on response to treatment.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of Fabry disease (FD) with recombinant alpha-galactosidase A (r-αGAL A) is complicated by the formation of anti-drug antibodies in the majority of male patients with the classical disease phenotype. Detailed information regarding antibody subtypes, onset and persistence of antibody development and their effect on treatment efficacy is sparse. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out in 39 male patients with classical FD, treated with either agalsidase-alfa or agalsidase-beta (mean follow up of 10 years). With six to twelve months intervals plasma-induced in vitro inhibition of enzyme activity, lysoglobotriaosylsphingosine (lysoGb3) levels and renal function were assessed. In a subset of 12 patients, additionally anti- r-αGAL A IgM, IgA and IgG1, 2, 3 and 4 levels were analyzed. RESULTS: In 23 out of 39 patients, plasma-induced in vitro inhibition of r-αGAL A activity was observed (inhibition-positive). The inhibition titer was strongly negatively correlated to the decrease in lysoGb3: agalsidase-alfa (FElog10(inhibition) = -10.3, P ≤.001), agalsidase-beta (FElog10(inhibition) = -4.7, P ≤.001). Inhibition-positive patients had an accelerated decline in renal function (FE = 1.21, p = .042). During treatment IgG1 anti-r-αGAL A levels increased only in inhibition-positive patients (p = .0045). IgG4 anti-r-αGAL A antibodies developed in 7 out of 9 inhibition-positive patients. Other antibody subclasses were either not present or too low to quantify. CONCLUSION: Development of inhibiting antibodies against r-αGAL A negatively affects the biochemical response to ERT and resulted in an accelerated decline in renal function. The presence of IgG1 and IgG4 anti-r-αGAL A antibodies is associated with in vitro αGAL A activity inhibition.

Rapid screening for lipid storage disorders using biochemical markers. Expert center data and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: In patients suspected of a lipid storage disorder (sphingolipidoses, lipidoses), confirmation of the diagnosis relies predominantly on the measurement of specific enzymatic activities and genetic studies. New UPLC-MS/MS methods have been developed to measure lysosphingolipids and oxysterols, which, combined with chitotriosidase activity may represent a rapid first tier screening for lipid storage disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A lysosphingolipid panel consisting of lysoglobotriaosylceramide (LysoGb3), lysohexosylceramide (LysoHexCer: both lysoglucosylceramide and lysogalactosylceramide), lysosphingomyelin (LysoSM) and its carboxylated analogue lysosphingomyelin-509 (LysoSM-509) was measured in control subjects and plasma samples of predominantly untreated patients affected with lipid storage disorders (n=74). In addition, the oxysterols cholestane-3ß,5α,6ß-triol and 7-ketocholesterol were measured in a subset of these patients (n=36) as well as chitotriosidase activity (n=43). A systematic review of the literature was performed to assess the usefulness of these biochemical markers. RESULTS: Specific elevations of metabolites, i.e. without overlap between controls and other lipid storage disorders, were found for several lysosomal storage diseases: increased LysoSM levels in acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (Niemann-Pick disease type A/B), LysoGb3 levels in males with classical phenotype Fabry disease and LysoHexCer (i.e. lysoglucosylceramide/lysogalactosylceramide) in Gaucher and Krabbe diseases. While elevated levels of LysoSM-509 and cholestane-3ß,5α,6ß-triol did not discriminate between Niemann Pick disease type C and acid sphingomyelinase deficiency, LysoSM-509/LysoSM ratio was specifically elevated in Niemann-Pick disease type C. In Gaucher disease type I, mild increases in several lysosphingolipids were found including LysoGb3 with levels in the range of non-classical Fabry males and females. Chitotriosidase showed specific elevations in symptomatic Gaucher disease, and was mildly elevated in all other lipid storage disorders. Review of the literature identified 44 publications. Most findings were in line with our cohort. Several moderate elevations of biochemical markers were found across a wide range of other, mainly inherited metabolic, diseases. CONCLUSION: Measurement in plasma of LysoSLs and oxysterols by UPLC-MS/MS in combination with activity of chitotriosidase provides a useful first tier screening of patients suspected of lipid storage disease. The LysoSM-509/LysoSM ratio is a promising parameter in Niemann-Pick disease type C. Further studies in larger groups of untreated patients and controls are needed to improve the specificity of the findings.

[Metabolic diseases in psychiatry]. / Stofwisselingsziekten binnen de psychiatrie.

Metabolic diseases can be associated with psychiatric symptoms. We present two case histories that demonstrate the importance of correctly diagnosing a metabolic disease as being the cause of psychiatric symptoms. We also discuss which symptoms or signals may indicate a metabolic disease.

Frequent intragenic rearrangements of DPYD in colorectal tumours.

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase is a crucial enzyme for the degradation of 5-fluorouracil (5FU). DPYD, which encodes dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, is prone to acquire genomic rearrangements because of the presence of an intragenic fragile site FRA1E. We evaluated DPYD copy number variations (CNVs) in a prospective series of 242 stage I-III colorectal tumours (including 87 patients receiving 5FU-based treatment). CNVs in one or more exons of DPYD were detected in 27% of tumours (deletions or amplifications of one or more DPYD exons observed in 17% and 10% of cases, respectively). A significant relationship was observed between the DPYD intragenic rearrangement status and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) mRNA levels (both at the tumour level). The presence of somatic DPYD aberrations was not associated with known prognostic or predictive biomarkers, except for LOH of chromosome 8p. No association was observed between DPYD aberrations and patient survival, suggesting that assessment of somatic DPYD intragenic rearrangement status is not a powerful biomarker to predict the outcome of 5FU-based chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer.

Somatic copy number changes in DPYD are associated with lower risk of recurrence in triple-negative breast cancers.

BACKGROUND: Genomic rearrangements at the fragile site FRA1E may disrupt the dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase gene (DPYD) which is involved in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) catabolism. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a subtype of breast cancer frequently deficient in DNA repair, we have investigated the susceptibility to acquire copy number variations (CNVs) in DPYD and evaluated their impact on standard adjuvant treatment. METHODS: DPYD CNVs were analysed in 106 TNBC tumour specimens using multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis. Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in 146 tumour tissues. RESULTS: In TNBC, we detected 43 (41%) tumour specimens with genomic deletions and/or duplications within DPYD which were associated with higher histological grade (P=0.006) and with rearrangements in the DNA repair gene BRCA1 (P=0.007). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed low, moderate and high DPD expression in 64%, 29% and 7% of all TNBCs, and in 40%, 53% and 7% of TNBCs with DPYD CNVs, respectively. Irrespective of DPD protein levels, the presence of CNVs was significantly related to longer time to progression in patients who had received 5-FU- and/or anthracycline-based polychemotherapy (hazard ratio=0.26 (95% CI: 0.07-0.91), log-rank P=0.023; adjusted for tumour stage: P=0.037). CONCLUSION: Genomic rearrangements in DPYD, rather than aberrant DPD protein levels, reflect a distinct tumour profile associated with prolonged time to progression upon first-line chemotherapy in TNBC.

Evaluation of predictive tests for screening for dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is rapidly degraded by dihyropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD). Therefore, DPD deficiency can lead to severe toxicity or even death following treatment with 5-FU or capecitabine. Different tests based on assessing DPD enzyme activity, genetic variants in DPYD and mRNA variants have been studied for screening for DPD deficiency, but none of these are implemented broadly into clinical practice. We give an overview of the tests that can be used to detect DPD deficiency and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these tests.

Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy: Clinical and biochemical impact of allogeneic stem cell transplantation in a Greek patient with one novel TYMP mutation.

We describe the case of a Greek female patient with the Classic form of the ultra- rare and fatal autosomal recessive disorder Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) and the impact of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation on the biochemical and clinical aspects of the disease. The patient presented at the age of 15 years with severe gastrointestinal symptoms, cachexia, peripheral neuropathy and diffuse leukoencephalopathy. The diagnosis of MNGIE disease was established by the increased levels of thymidine and deoxyuridine in plasma and the complete deficiency of thymidine phosphorylase activity. The novel c.[978dup] (p.Ala327Argfs*?) variant and the previously described variant c.[417 + 1G > A] were identified in TYMP. The donor for the allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was her fully compatible sister, a carrier of the disease. The patient had a completely uneventful post- transplant period and satisfactory PB chimerism levels. A marked and rapid decrease in thymidine and deoxyuridine plasma levels and an increase of the thymidine phosphorylase activity to the levels measured in her donor sister was observed and is still present sixteen months post-transplant. Disease symptoms stabilized and some improvement was also observed both in her neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms. Follow up studies will be essential for determining the long term impact of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in our patient.

Investigation of CTLA-4 and CD28 gene polymorphisms in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 using PCR-RFLP in a Turkish population.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate whether specific polymorphisms in the CTLA-4 and CD28 gene are associated with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 241 individuals (72 patients with T2DM and 169 healthy individuals) and DNA was isolated. A polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used to detect the frequencies of CTLA-4 NM_005214.3:c.49A > G and c.-319C > T, and CD28 NM_006139.1:c.534+17T > C polymorphisms in T2DM patients in the Sanliurfa Population. RESULTS: The data suggested that body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) were significantly higher in T2DM patients than in the control individuals (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed for the frequencies of c.49A > G, c.-319C > T genotype and allele of CTLA-4 gene and c.534+17T > C of the CD28 gene in T2DM patients compared to healthy individuals (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The CTLA-4 gene c.49A > G and c.-319C > T and CD28 gene c.534+ 17T > C polymorphisms did not represent an important risk factor for this disease in a group of the Turkish population.

Catecholamine excretion profiles identify clinical subgroups of neuroblastoma patients.

INTRODUCTION: Analysis of urinary catecholamine metabolites is one of the primary modalities to diagnose patients with neuroblastoma. Although catecholamine excretion patterns have been recognised in the past, their biological rationale and clinical relevance remain largely unknown. Therefore, this study was designed to identify unique catecholamine excretion patterns and elucidate their underlying biology and clinical relevance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A panel of 25 neuroblastoma cell lines was screened for catecholamine excretion. Detection of the catecholamine enzymes was performed using Western blot. Based on catecholamine enzymes presence and excreted catecholamine metabolites, excretion profiles were defined. The prevalence of these profiles was investigated in vivo using diagnostic urines from 301 patients with neuroblastoma and immunohistochemistry on primary tumours. The clinical relevance of the profiles was determined by linking the profiles to clinical characteristics and outcome of patients with neuroblastoma. RESULTS: Four excretion profiles (A-D) were identified in vitro, which correlated with the relative protein expression of the catecholamine enzymes. These profiles were also identified in urine samples from patients with neuroblastoma and correlated with the presence of the catecholamine enzymes in the tumour. Strikingly, in 66% of the patients, homovanillic acid and vanillylmandelic acid excretions were discordant with the catecholamine profiles. Clinical characteristics and outcome gradually improved from patients with profile A (predominantly high risk) towards profile D (predominantly observation), with 5-years overall survival of 35% and 93%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Catecholamine profiles in vitro and in vivo reflect, to a large extent, the presence of the individual catecholamine enzymes and represent distinct subgroups of patients with neuroblastoma.

Beta-ureidopropionase deficiency presenting with congenital anomalies of the urogenital and colorectal systems.

Beta-ureidopropionase deficiency (McKusick 606673) is an autosomal recessive condition caused by mutations in the UPB1 gene. To date, five patients have been reported, including one putative case detected through newborn screening. Clinical presentation includes neurological and developmental problems. Here, we report another case of beta-ureidopropionase deficiency who presented with congenital anomalies of the urogenital and colorectal systems and with normal neurodevelopmental milestones. Analysis of a urine sample, because of the suspicion of renal stones on ultrasound, showed strongly elevated levels of the characteristic metabolites, N-carbamyl-beta-amino acids. Subsequent analysis of UPB1 identified a novel mutation 209 G>C (R70P) in exon 2 and a previously reported splice receptor mutation IVS1-2A>G. Expression studies of the R70P mutant enzyme showed that the mutant enzyme did not possess any residual activity. Long-term follow-up is required to determine the clinical significance of the beta-ureidopropionase deficiency in our patient.

3-Methoxytyramine: An independent prognostic biomarker that associates with high-risk disease and poor clinical outcome in neuroblastoma patients.

INTRODUCTION: Prognosis of neuroblastoma patients is very diverse, indicating the need for more accurate prognostic parameters. The excretion of catecholamine metabolites by most neuroblastomas is used for diagnostic purposes, but their correlation with prognosis has hardly been investigated. Therefore, we performed an in-depth analysis of a panel of elevated urinary catecholamine metabolites at diagnosis and their correlation with prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of eight urinary catecholamine metabolites in a test (n = 96) and validation (n = 205) cohort of patients with neuroblastoma (all stages) at diagnosis. RESULTS: Multivariate analyses, including risk factors such as stage and MYCN amplification, revealed that 3-methoxytyramine (3MT) was an independent risk factor for event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS). Furthermore, only 3MT appeared to be an independent risk factor for both EFS and OS in high-risk patients, which was independent of modern high-risk therapy and immunotherapy. Among high-risk patients, those with elevated 3MT and older than 18 months had an extremely poor prognosis compared to patients with non-elevated 3MT and younger than 18 months (5-year EFS of 14.3% ± 4% and 66.7% ± 18%, respectively, p = 0.001; 5-year OS of 21.8% ± 5% and 87.5% ± 12%, respectively, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated 3MT at diagnosis was associated with high-risk disease and poor prognosis. For high-risk patients, elevated 3MT at diagnosis was the only significant risk factor for EFS and OS. 3MT was also able to identify subgroups of high-risk patients with favourable and extremely poor prognosis.

Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Deficiency: Metabolic Disease or Biochemical Phenotype?

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder of pyrimidine metabolism that impairs the first step of uracil und thymine degradation. The spectrum of clinical presentations in subjects with the full biochemical phenotype of DPD deficiency ranges from asymptomatic individuals to severely affected patients suffering from seizures, microcephaly, muscular hypotonia, developmental delay and eye abnormalities.We report on a boy with intellectual disability, significant impairment of speech development, highly active epileptiform discharges on EEG, microcephaly and impaired gross-motor development. This clinical presentation triggered metabolic workup that demonstrated the biochemical phenotype of DPD deficiency, which was confirmed by enzymatic and molecular genetic studies. The patient proved to be homozygous for a novel c.2059-22T>G mutation which resulted in an in-frame insertion of 21 base pairs (c.2059-21_c.2059-1) of intron 16 of DPYD. Family investigation showed that the asymptomatic father was also homozygous for the same mutation and enzymatic and biochemical findings were similar to his severely affected son. When the child deteriorated clinically, exome sequencing was initiated under the hypothesis that DPD deficiency did not explain the phenotype completely. A deletion of the maternal allele on chromosome 15q11.2-13-1 was identified allowing the diagnosis of Angelman syndrome (AS). This diagnosis explains the patient's clinical presentation sufficiently; the influence of DPD deficiency on the phenotype, however, remains uncertain.

Determination of thymidine phosphorylase activity in human blood cells and fibroblasts by a nonradiochemical assay using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

In this study, we demonstrated that the highest activity of thymidine phosphorylase (TP) was found in peripheral blood mononuclear (PBM) cells followed by that of thrombocytes and granulocytes whereas no activity of TP could be detected in erythrocytes. The activity of TP in leukocytes proved to be intermediate compared to the TP activity observed in PBM cells and granulocytes. The activity of TP also was readily detectable in human fibroblasts.

Activity of pyrimidine degradation enzymes in normal tissues.

In this study, we measured the activity of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), dihydropyrimidinase (DHP) and beta-ureidopropionase (beta-UP), using radiolabeled substrates, in 16 different tissues obtained at autopsy from a single patient. The activity of DPD could be detected in all tissues examined, with the highest activity being present in spleen and liver. Surprisingly, the highest activity of DHP was present in kidney followed by that of liver. Furthermore, a low DHP activity could also be detected in 8 other tissues. The highest activity of beta-UP was detected in liver and kidney. However, low UP activities were also present in 8 other tissues. Our results demonstrated that the entire pyrimidine catabolic pathway was predominantly confined to the liver and kidney. However, significant residual activities of DPD, DHP and beta-UP were also present in a variety of other tissues, especially in bronchus.

A neonate with recurrent vomiting and generalized hypotonia diagnosed with a deficiency of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase.

Deficiency of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) is a rare inborn error of pyrimidine metabolism. To date, only about 50 patients are known worldwide. The clinical picture is varied and is not yet fully described. Most patients are diagnosed at the age of 1-3 years. We present a patient diagnosed 8 weeks postpartum. The female patient presented in the first 3 days after birth with agitation, choking, and vomiting. Six weeks later, the patient presented again with vomiting and insufficient weight gain. Metabolic screening of urine showed a strongly increased excretion of uracil and thymine, with no other abnormalities. This suggested a deficiency of DPD which was confirmed by enzyme analysis in peripheral blood mononucleair (PBM) cells (patient: activity <0.01 nmol/mg/h; controls: 9.9 +/- 2.8 nmol/mg/h). The patient was homozygous for the IVS14+1G>A mutation.MRI of the brain showed some cerebral atrophy; myelinization appeared normal. Many patients with DPD-deficiency suffer from convulsions and mental retardation, some show microcephaly, feeding difficulties, autism, and hypertonia. Our patient showed feeding difficulties and in the second half-year she developed slight motor retardation and generalized hypotonia. Further observation of the development of the patient may shed more light on the relationship between clinical symptoms and DPD deficiency. DPD deficiency may present in newborns with vomiting and hypotonia as the main symptoms.

Determination of 5-fluorouracil in plasma with HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry.

In this article, we describe a fast and specific method to measure 5FU with HPLC tandem-mass spectrometry. Reversed-phase HPLC was combined with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and detection was performed by multiple-reaction monitoring. Stable-isotope-labeled 5FU (1,3-15N2-5FU) was used as an internal standard. 5FU was measured within a single analytical run of 16 min with a lower limit of detection of 0.05 microM. The intra-assay variation and inter-assay variation of plasma with added 5FU (1 microM, 10 microM, 100 microM) was less then 6%. Recoveries of the added 5FU in plasma were > 97%. Analysis of the 5FU levels in plasma samples from patients with the HPLC tandem mass spectrometry method and a HPLC-UV method yielded comparable results (r2 = 0.98). Thus, HPLC with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry allows the rapid analysis of 5FU levels in plasma and could, therefore, be used for therapeutic drug monitoring.

Analysis of pyrimidine synthesis de novo intermediates in urine during crisis of a patient with ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency.

Analysis of pyrimidine synthesis de novo intermediates and pyrimidine degradation products in urine samples from a decompensated patient with an ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency showed a strikingly aberrant metabolic profile. Strongly elevated levels of N-carbamyl-aspartate, orotate and uracil were present whereas the concentration of uridine was only marginally increased. The level of pyrimidine excretion appeared to be independent of the ammonia levels in blood, which were only mildly increased.