Rapidly progressive cognitive impairment resulting in heavy psychosocial burden in a patient with Fabry disease undergoing hemodialysis: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Long-term enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) may improve prognosis in the patients with Fabry disease (FD), however, detail psychosocial burden has not been focused on long life expectancy. We experienced a male case of FD under ERT, he was placed on hemodialysis and presented rapidly progressive cognitive function. CASE PRESENTATION: A 51-year-old male patient with FD has been receiving ERT from age of 38 years. Hemodialysis was initiated at the age of 47 years. The patient experienced several attacks of cerebral infarction, and brain images demonstrated wide-spread asymptomatic ischemic lesions. His behavior became problematic at the age of 51 years. He often exhibited restlessness during hemodialysis sessions and failure to communicate effectively. The patient experienced impairment of attention and executive function, topographical disorientation, and amnesia. Consequently, it was necessary for medical staff and family members to monitor his behavior for safe extracorporeal circulation and daily life activities. Annual standardized neuropsychiatric testing revealed worsening of cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS: Despite treating with long-term ERT, it is necessary to determine the psychosocial burden derived from the progression of cognitive impairment in patients with FD undergoing hemodialysis.

A systematic literature review on the health-related quality of life and economic burden of Fabry disease.

BACKGROUND: Fabry disease (FD) is a rare lysosomal storage disease associated with glycolipid accumulation that impacts multiple physiological systems. We conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) to characterize the humanistic (quality of life [QoL]) and economic burden of FD. METHODS: Searches were conducted in the Embase, MEDLINE®, and MEDLINE® In-Process databases from inception to January 19, 2022. Conference abstracts of specified congresses were manually searched. Additional searches were performed in the Cochrane and ProQuest databases for the humanistic SLR and the National Health Service Economic Evaluations Database for the economic SLR. Studies of patients with FD of any sex, race, and age, and published in the English language were included. There was no restriction on intervention or comparator. For the humanistic SLR, studies that reported utility data, database/registry-based studies, questionnaires/surveys, and cohort studies were included. For the economic SLR, studies reporting economic evaluations or assessing the cost of illness and resource use were included. RESULTS: Of the 1363 records identified in the humanistic search, 36 studies were included. The most commonly used QoL assessments were the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (n = 16), EQ-5D questionnaire descriptive system or visual analog scale (n = 9), and the Brief Pain Inventory (n = 8). Reduced QoL was reported in patients with FD compared with healthy populations across multiple domains, including pain, physical functioning, and depressive symptoms. Multiple variables-including sex, age, disease severity, and treatment status-impacted QoL. Of the 711 records identified in the economic burden search, 18 studies were included. FD was associated with high cost and healthcare resource use. Contributors to the cost burden included enzyme replacement therapy, healthcare, and social care. In the seven studies that reported health utility values, lower utility scores were generally associated with more complications (including cardiac, renal, and cerebrovascular morbidities) and with classical disease in males. CONCLUSION: FD remains associated with a high cost and healthcare resource use burden, and reduced QoL compared with healthy populations. Integrating information from QoL and economic assessments may help to identify interventions that are likely to be of most value to patients with FD.

Lessons learned from the Canadian Fabry Disease Initiative for future risk-sharing and managed access agreements for pharmaceutical and advanced therapies in Canada.

Risk sharing agreements (RSAs) and managed access agreements have emerged as tools to overcome evidentiary uncertainty and contain costs of pharmaceuticals; however, Canada has relatively little experience with these health policy instruments. This article describes one of the few examples of national RSAs. Enzyme replacement therapies (ERT) were introduced in Canada to treat Fabry disease in the early 2000s through an RSA. Based on qualitative interviews with key participating actors, this article explains how this RSA ensured continuity of treatment for patients already on ERT, and collected robust real-world evidence to secure treatment for future Fabry patients. We show the importance of partnerships, collaborations, and active patient communities in establishing RSAs, as well as the critical role of robust registries for the collection, storage, and use of that real-world data. In doing so, this paper points to reasons that explain the relative dearth of RSAs in Canada, which can be resource (both human and finance) intensive and are difficult to broker in a federalist health system. Through these findings, policy lessons are developed concerning the need for technological and governance platforms on how RSA in Canada can be more effectively supported going forward in a broader move towards "social pharmaceutical innovation".

Beta-agalsidase para o tratamento da doença de Fabry clássica / Beta-agalsidase for the treatment of classical Fabry disease

INTRODUÇÃO: Doença de Fabry (DF) se caracteriza por uma condição congênita ligada ao cromossomo X, a qual ocorre devido à uma deficiência na enzima alfa-galactosidase A (α-GalA), que resulta no acúmulo lisossômico de globotriaosilceramida (GL-3 ou Gb3) em uma ampla variedade de células, levando a manifestações clínicas multissistêmicas da doença. A DF é um distúrbio metabólico ultrarraro (1 para 117.000 nascidos vivos) que afeta crianças e adultos de ambos os sexos. Devido a um amplo espectro de apresentação clínica, a DF é classificada em dois fenótipos principais: a) fenótipo clássico, mais grave, com sintomas ocorrendo nas primeiras décadas de vida; b) fenótipo não clássico, com não clássico, tipicamente presentes entre a terceira a sétima década de vida. A ocorrência de insuficiência e falência renal, além das complicações cardiovasculares e acidente vascular cerebral nos pacientes afetados pela DF resultam em impactos significativos na qualidade de vida do paciente, principalmente para aqueles não tratados, que chegam a ter uma redução na expectativa de vida de até 20 anos. Sendo assim, como ocorre com as demais doenças de depósito lisossômico, a terapia de reposição enzimática (TRE) apresenta-se como alternativa de tratamento específico para os pacientes com DF, pois a TRE apresenta um potencial benefício na redução de danos nos tecid

Brain MRI correlations with disease burden and biomarkers in Fabry disease.

OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively evaluate cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and its correlation with disease burden and markers in Fabry disease, a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disease. METHODS: We collected brain MRI data from seventy-one Chinese patients with Fabry disease. CSVD was evaluated using an age-related white matter change rating scale, Fazekas scale, enlarged perivascular spaces grading scale, lacunar infarction scale, Microbleed Anatomical Rating Scale, global cortical atrophy scale, and small-vessel disease score. Factors associated with MRI lesions, including sex, clinical subtype, disease severity, disease burden, genotype, and biomarkers, were also analyzed. RESULTS: Of 71 patients, 16 (22.5%) experienced ischemic stroke. The incidences of lacunar infarctions, white matter hyperintensities, and cerebral microbleeds were 55%, 62%, and 33%, respectively. The abnormal MRI group had later disease onset, longer disease duration, and a higher Mainz Severity Score Index (p < 0.05) than the normal MRI group. Patients with more severe clinical phenotypes also had higher CVSD-related scores. Sex and GLA mutational type were not closely associated with brain MRI lesions. Of the disease markers, the Mainz Severity Score Index and plasma globotriaosylsphingosine (Lyso-Gb3) were closely correlated with the majority of the MRI scores, whereas α-galactosidase A activity was not. CONCLUSION: Brain MRI revealed progressive lacunar infarctions, white matter hyperintensities, and decreased brain volume in patients with Fabry disease. Brain MRI lesions were closely related to onset-age; disease duration, severity, burden; and plasma Lyso-Gb3. However, they were not associated with sex, α-galactosidase A activity, or GLA mutation type.

Alfagalsidase para o tratamento da doença de Fabry clássica em pacientes a partir dos sete anos de idade / Alfagalsidase for the treatment of classic Fabry disease in patients from the age of seven

INTRODUÇÃO: A Doença de Fabry (DF) é um distúrbio metabólico raro (1 para 117.000 nascidos vivos) que afeta crianças e adultos de ambos os sexos. É caracterizada pela mutação no gene GLA que resulta na deficiência da atividade enzimática da alfa-galactosidase A, causando acúmulo lisossomal dos substratos da enzima, especialmente da globotriaosilceramida (Gb3). Devido à natureza inespecífica dos sintomas iniciais, como dor neuropática, cansaço, dificuldade visual e auditiva, o diagnóstico é geralmente tardio, leva-se cerca de 14 anos para o diagnóstico correto. O acúmulo de substrato nos lisossomos leva a dano tecidual, culminando ao longo dos anos em disfunções em vários órgãos, insuficiência renal, doenças cardíacas, derrame isquêmico e morte precoce. A doença de Fabry pode ser classificada como "clássica" ou "de início tardio". A forma clássica apresenta acometimento progressivo de órgãos-alvo, como rins, coração e sistema nervoso central, sendo a forma mais grave e precoce da doença. A DF está associada à morbidade e mortalidade importantes, com impacto significativo na qualidade de vida. Dados sobre a história natural da doença mostram que o paciente não tratado tem expectativa de vida reduzida em até 20 anos. Assim como para demais distúrbios do armazenamento lisossomal, o tratamento padrão consiste na terapia de reposição enzimática (TRE) para evitar a danos irreversíveis nos tecidos e órgãos-alvo da doença. PERGUNTA DE PESQUISA: O uso de alfagalsidase é seguro, eficaz e efetivo no tratamento de pessoas com sete anos de idade ou mais com Doença de Fabry? EVIDÊNCIAS CLÍNICAS: Uma revisão sistemática da literatura foi conduzida para identificar as evidências disponíveis do uso de alfagalsidase. Foram encontradas 1.951 publicações. Ao final, foram incluídas sete publicações sendo quatro revisões sistemáticas (uma com metanálise) e três estudos observacionais. O tratamento precoce foi associado a melhores resultados renais e cardíacos, em comparação com o início tardio do tratamento. A alfagalsidase apresentou resultados clinicamente significativos, como redução do nível de dor neuropática, melhora na qualidade de vida, função cardíaca e função renal, além de levar ao aumento do clearance de Gb3. A qualidade das evidências para tais desfechos foi classificada como moderada a baixa, por meio da ferramenta GRADE. AVALIAÇÃO ECONÔMICA: Foi construído um modelo de Markov comparando o tratamento com alfagalsidase com tratamento de suporte. Utilizando um único dado de sobrevida e de QALY internacional, o custo incremental do uso de alfagalsidase foi de R$ 4.346.010, traduzidos em uma efetividade incremental de 24,40 QALY. A razão de custo-utilidade incremental foi de R$ 178.095/QALY. Foram utilizados dados de estudos únicos e internacionais. ANÁLISE DE IMPACTO ORÇAMENTÁRIO: O impacto incremental estimado do tratamento com alfagalsidase quando comparado ao tratamento de suporte variou de R$ 212 milhões, para o cenário de difusão lenta, a R$ 583 milhões para o cenário de difusão rápida em cinco anos. MONITORAMENTO DO HORIZONTE TECNOLÓGICO: Foi detectada uma tecnologia potencial para compor o esquema terapêutico do tratamento de pacientes com 7 anos de idade ou mais com Doença de Fabry de fenótipo clássico. A betagalsidase, que apesar de ser uma terapia que está disponível no mercado há um tempo, apenas em 2020 foi incluída a indicação clínica para pacientes acima de 8 anos de idade, pelas agências Anvisa e EMA. Em 2021 o FDA incluiu pacientes acima de 2 anos de idade, na indicação em bula. CONSIDERAÇÕES FINAIS: Adicionalmente às evidências clínicas de baixa a moderada qualidade, a avaliação de custo-utilidade e a análise de impacto orçamentário possuem incertezas importantes em relação à definição de custos e cenários de comparação, não ficando claras as vantagens econômicas do alfagalsidase para o tratamento da doença de Fabry clássica em pacientes com sete anos de idade ou mais sob a perspectiva do Sistema Único de Saúde. CONSULTA PÚBLICA: Nas contribuições de experiência e opinião, todos os 58 participantes manifestaram-se favoráveis à incorporação da tecnologia avaliada e, portanto, discordaram da recomendação preliminar da Conitec. Entre os argumentos favoráveis à incorporação da alfagalsidase no SUS foram mencionadas a boa resposta clínica (estabilização da doença, prevenção e redução de complicações e melhora da qualidade de vida do paciente), a dificuldade de acesso ao medicamento em virtude do alto custo e a segurança da tecnologia avaliada. Entre os efeitos da alfagalsidase foram apontados a melhora clínica, a melhora da qualidade de vida e o controle da progressão da doença como efeitos positivos e facilidades, enquanto a dificuldade de acesso e o alto custo foram mencionados como negativos. No que diz respeito à experiência com outras tecnologias, os participantes citaram predominantemente o uso de beta-agalsidase e migalastate para o tratamento da doença de Fabry clássica. A melhora clínica e a melhora na qualidade de vida foram apontados como efeitos positivos e facilidades dessas tecnologias, em contraponto à dificuldade de administração e aos eventos adversos referidos como aspectos negativos. Nas contribuições técnico-científicas. Foram apresentadas 25 contribuições, sendo que 23 pessoas eram a favor da incorporação, sendo a maioria mulher, com faixa etária entre 25 e 39 anos de cor branca. Dessas destaca-se a contribuição da indústria Sanofi se mostrando favorável a incorporação de enzimas para o tratamento da doença de Fabry, também a opinião de médicos e associações corroborando com a incorporação e a principal contribuição da indústria fabricante com novos dados e informações. A principal informação exposta se deu na introdução de um novo dado de sobrevida vindo de um estudo nacional, gerando uma mudança na razão de custo-efetividade incremental de R$213.473 por QALY. Não menos importante, a contribuição mostrou que organismos internacionais como o NICE já haviam recomendado a incorporação da tecnologia. O fechamento apresentado nas discussões teve como ato conclusivo ser uma doença ultrarrara sem novas evidências, o medicamento com mais de 15 anos no mercado, no qual a empresa apresentou um custo por paciente variando entre R$150 a R$300 mil variando conforme peso do paciente, sendo um valor elevado, mas nem tanto frente a outras tecnologias apresentadas com valores acima de R$1 milhão por ano, com impacto orçamentário definido para um público específico entre 400 a 450 pacientes. No sentido que possui um custo-efetividade incremental acima do limiar, todavia na gama de pacientes observada as características da doença caberia flexibilização do limiar, sendo que a eficiência por custo encontra uma relação de ganho, uma vez que não está tão acima do limiar e é doença rara com ganho justificável, sendo favorável a recomendação. RECOMENDAÇÃO FINAL DA CONITEC: : Os membros do Comitê de Medicamentos, presentes na 116ª Reunião ordinária da Conitec, no dia 15 de março de 2023, deliberaram, por unanimidade, recomendar a incorporação do alfagalsidase para o tratamento da doença de Fabry clássica em pacientes a partir dos sete anos de idade ao SUS, conforme Protocolo Clínico do Ministério da Saúde. Foi assinado o registro de deliberação nº 800/2023. DECISÃO: Incorporar, no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde - SUS, a alfagalsidase para o tratamento da doença de Fabry clássica em pacientes a partir dos sete anos de idade, conforme Protocolo Clínico do Ministério da Saúde, publicada no Diário Oficial da União nº 96, seção 1, página 254, em 22 de maio de 2023.

Venglustat, an orally administered glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor: Assessment over 3 years in adult males with classic Fabry disease in an open-label phase 2 study and its extension study.

Venglustat inhibits the enzymatic conversion of ceramide to glucosylceramide, reducing available substrate for the synthesis of more complex glycosphingolipids. It offers a potential new approach to the treatment of patients with Fabry disease (α-Gal A deficiency), in whom progressive accumulation of such glycosphingolipids, including globotriaosylceramide (GL-3), in the lysosomes of a wide range of cell types often leads to vital organ complications in adulthood. An international, open-label, single-arm, Phase 2a uncontrolled 26-week clinical study (NCT02228460) and a 130-week extension study (NCT02489344) were conducted to assess the safety, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and exploratory efficacy of 15 mg once daily oral venglustat in treatment-naïve adult male patients with classic Fabry disease. Of 11 patients (18-37 years old) who initially enrolled, nine completed the 26-week study and seven completed the extension study. A total of 169 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported by nine patients, the majority being mild (73%) and unrelated to the study drug (70%). Nine serious TEAEs (serious adverse events) and 11 severe TEAEs, including a self-harm event, were reported. No deaths or treatment-related life-threatening adverse events were reported. Skin GL-3 scores in superficial skin capillary endothelium (SSCE), estimated by light microscopy, were unchanged from baseline at Week 26 in five patients, decreased in three patients, and increased in one patient. There was no significant change in GL-3 scores or significant shift in grouped GL-3 scores. Five of six patients had reductions from baseline in GL-3 score at the end of the extension study. At Weeks 26 and 156 the mean (standard deviation) changes from baseline in the fraction of the volume of SSCE cytoplasm occupied by GL-3 inclusions, measured by electron microscopy unbiased stereology, were - 0.06 (0.03) (p = 0.0010) and - 0.12 (0.04) (p = 0.0008), respectively. Venglustat treatment reduced markers in the synthetic and degradative pathway of major glycosphingolipids; proximal markers reduced rapidly and more distal markers (plasma GL-3 and globotriaosylsphingosine) reduced progressively. There were no biochemical or histological indications of progression of Fabry disease over 3 years of follow-up. These findings confirm target engagement and the pharmacodynamic effects of venglustat in adult males with classic Fabry disease. However, further clinical evaluation in larger studies is needed to determine efficacy and safety.

Assessment and impact of dose escalation on anti-drug antibodies in Fabry disease.

Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with recombinant α-galactosidase A (AGAL) can lead to the formation of neutralizing anti-drug antibodies (ADA), which significantly limit treatment efficacy in patients with Fabry disease (FD). The effects of dose escalation on ADA titer and plasma globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb3) level are unknown. We screened 250 FD patients (200 males, 50 females) under ERT for ADAs and assessed the impact of an approved dose escalation in affected patients, focusing on ADA titers and plasma lyso-Gb3. ADA-positive patients were identified by serum-mediated inhibition assays, followed by titration assays to determine the individual inhibitory capacities of ADAs against agalsidase-alfa and agalsidase-beta. 70 (35%) of the male patients were ADA-positive, with a mean inhibitory capacity of 83.5 ± 113.7mg AGAL. Although patients receiving agalsidase-beta showed higher inhibitory capacities (84.7 ± 34.7mg) than patients under agalsidase-alfa (60.3 ± 126.7mg, p<0.001), the "theoretical deficit" to the infused dose was lower in patients receiving agalsidase-beta. In seven patients receiving agalsidase-alfa (0.2 mg/kg) ADAs were saturable by switching patients to agalsidase-beta (1.0 mg/kg). The switch resulted in increasing ADA titers within the first months. In 2 out of 7 (28.6%) therapy switchers, dose escalation could lead to durable ADA saturation. Independent of an increase in ADA titers, lyso-Gb3 levels decrease and cardiac and renal parameters remained stable after dose escalation. Dose escalation results in a heterogeneous, unpredictable ADA response, with more than a quarter of all treatment switchers succeeding in ADA saturation. Longitudinal ADA measurements are required to assess the individual risk of affected patients.

Cardiac involvement in Fabry disease - A non-invasive assessment and the role of specific therapies.

Fabry disease is an X-linked inherited metabolic disorder due to the pathogenic mutation of the GLA gene, which codes lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A. The resultant accumulation of glycosphingolipids causes various systemic symptoms in childhood and adolescence, and major organ damage in adulthood. Cardiac involvement is important as the most frequent cause of death in Fabry disease patients. Progressive left ventricular hypertrophy with varying degrees of contractile dysfunction as well as conduction abnormalities and arrhythmias are typical cardiac features, and these findings can be evaluated in detail via non-invasive modalities, such as an electrocardiogram, echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance. In addition, specific therapies of enzyme replacement therapy and pharmacological chaperone therapy are available, and their beneficial effects on cardiac involvement have been reported. This minireview highlights recent evidence concerning non-invasive modalities for assessing cardiac involvement in Fabry disease and the effects of enzyme replacement therapy and pharmacological chaperone therapy on the findings of those modalities.

Biventricular strain assessment indicates progressive impairment of myocardial contractility in phenotypically negative patients with Fabry's disease.

PURPOSE: The accumulation of sphingolipids in Fabry's disease (FD) leads to left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and shortened T1 in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). Early detection of myocardial involvement is essential for the timely initiation and efficacy of enzyme replacement therapy. However, there is a diagnostic gap between the onset of accumulation and detectable myocardial changes. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of biventricular strain assessment in early FD. METHODS: Genetically proven FD patients (n = 58) and healthy volunteers (HV, n = 62) who had undergone 3 T CMR were retrospectively identified and stratified into 3 groups according to disease severity. Biventricular volumetry, global longitudinal strains (GLS), indexed biventricular masses (RVMi/LVMi), and T1 were evaluated. Group comparisons were performed by ANOVA and diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by ROC-analysis. RESULTS: The study population included 19 group I, 20 group II and 19 group III patients. LV volumetry and T1 showed no significant difference between early FD patients and HV (all p > 0.760). However, RVMi was increased, while RV-GLS and LV-GLS were significantly impaired (p = 0.024 and < 0.001, respectively). Biventricular strains accurately discriminated early FD patients and HV with RV-GLS being non-inferior to LV-GLS (AUC for both 0.83, p > 0.05). Adding strains to the established approach using T1 and LVMi further increased diagnostic accuracy (AUC 0.99, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Biventricular strains may help detect altered myocardial deformation patterns in phenotypically negative FD patients. These findings may lead to an earlier initiation of therapy, which in turn may slow hypertrophy and the associated long-term risks.

Assessment of the function and morphology of the thyroid gland in paediatric patients treated with enzyme replacement therapy due to selected storage diseases - preliminary results of our own research and a review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Some storage diseases, caused by a deficiency of a specific enzyme, which results in the systemic accumulation of non-metabolized substances, can be treated with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), which can protect many organs, including the endocrine system. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the function and morphology of the thyroid gland in children with storage diseases treated with ERT, and to review the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eight patients were included in the study: 3 with Fabry disease (age: 17; 9.9; 10 years), 3 with Hunter's disease (12.3; 4.1; 9,3), and 2 with Pompe disease (6.8; 9,5). Thyroid function and morphology were assessed in each patient during ERT, and 4 of them were reassessed 27 months later. RESULTS: One patient with Fabry disease had been treated for hypothyroidism due to autoimmune thyroiditis diagnosed before the study. The remaining patients had normal thyroid tests and negative anti-thyroid antibodies at first and second evaluation; however, in all reassessed patients a decrease in TSH value was noted. Among the remaining patients with Fabry disease, one had normal and a second had heterogeneous echogenicity of the thyroid during first assessment. In the second patient, normalisation of echogenicity was observed at reassessment. Both patients with Pompe disease assessed once had slightly heterogeneous thyroid echogenicity. In 3 patients with Hunter's disease in the first ultrasound examination, no abnormalities were found. In re-evaluation, 2 of them showed heterogeneous thyroid echogenicity. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that patients with storage diseases should undergo assessment of thyroid function and morphology before and during ERT.

A Rapid and Simple UHPLC-MS/MS Method for Quantification of Plasma Globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb3).

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by α-galactosidase A gene (GLA) mutations, resulting in loss of activity of the lysosomal hydrolase, α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A). As a result, the main glycosphingolipid substrates, globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb3), accumulate in plasma, urine, and tissues. Here, we propose a simple, fast, and sensitive method for plasma quantification of lyso-Gb3, the most promising secondary screening target for FD. Assisted protein precipitation with methanol using Phree cartridges was performed as sample pre-treatment and plasma concentrations were measured using UHPLC-MS/MS operating in MRM positive electrospray ionization. Method validation provided excellent results for the whole calibration range (0.25-100 ng/mL). Intra-assay and inter-assay accuracy and precision (CV%) were calculated as <10%. The method was successfully applied to 55 plasma samples obtained from 34 patients with FD, 5 individuals carrying non-relevant polymorphisms of the GLA gene, and 16 healthy controls. Plasma lyso-Gb3 concentrations were larger in both male and female FD groups compared to healthy subjects (p < 0.001). Normal levels of plasma lyso-Gb3 were observed for patients carrying non-relevant mutations of the GLA gene compared to the control group (p = 0.141). Dropping the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) to 0.25 ng/mL allowed us to set the optimal plasma lyso-Gb3 cut-off value between FD patients and healthy controls at 0.6 ng/mL, with a sensitivity of 97.1%, specificity of 100%, and accuracy of 0.998 expressed by the area under the ROC curve (C.I. 0.992 to 1.000, p-value < 0.001). Based on the results obtained, this method can be a reliable tool for early phenotypic assignment, assessing diagnoses in patients with borderline GalA activity, and confirming non-relevant mutations of the GLA gene.

Increased Serum Interleukin-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha Levels in Fabry Disease: Correlation with Disease Burden.

OBJECTIVES: Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal disease caused by variants of the GLA gene; the formation of defective alpha-galactosidase A contributes to the accumulation of substrates in several organs. Chronic inflammation is thought to contribute to organ damage in FD patients. METHODS: In total, 36 classic FD patients (15 men/21 women) and 25 healthy controls (20 men/8 women) were assessed. The Mainz Severity Score Index (MSSI) was established after conducting interviews with the patients and chart review. Serum IL-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α levels were evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: The mean age (years) for FD patients was 43.1±15.4 and that for the controls was 47.4±12.2 (p>0.05). Twenty-two patients (59.5%) were treated with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). Serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significantly higher in FD patients than in the controls. Patients treated with ERT had higher serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels than those not treated with ERT. There was no difference in the serum IL-1ß levels between patients treated with ERT and those who were not. The MSSI scores in the patients were correlated with serum levels of IL-6 (r=0.60, p<0.001) and TNF-α (r=0.45, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: FD was associated with elevated serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in this cohort. The FD patients treated with ERT, particularly, women, exhibited higher levels of serum IL-6 and TNF-α than those not treated with ERT; the serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were correlated with the MSSI scores reflecting greater disease burden.

Migalastate para o tratamento de pacientes com Doença de Fabry com mutações suscetíveis e idade igual ou superior a 16 anos / Migalastat for the treatment of patients with Fabry disease with susceptible mutations and age 16 years of age or older

INTRODUÇÃO: A Doença de Fabry é uma doença rara na qual a enzima α-galactosidase A apresenta atividade reduzida ou ausente. A atividade comprometida dessa enzima resulta no acúmulo intracelular de globotriaosilceramida e de outras substâncias, o que leva a diversas complicações progressivas e potencialmente irreversíveis em diferentes órgãos, como rim, coração e sistema nervoso. O tratamento da Doença de Fabry pode ser classificado em sintomático, paliativo e específico para a doença, sendo que atualmente estão disponíveis no SUS as duas primeiras modalidades. Os tratamentos específicos com registro na Anvisa são as terapias de reposição enzimática (alfa-agalsidase e beta-agalsidase) e migalastate. As terapias de reposição enzimática (TRE) foram avaliadas pela Conitec em 2020, que recomendou a não incorporação destas tecnologias. O migalastate é uma terapia oral para tratamento da Doença de Fabry em pacientes com mutação suscetível e idade igual ou superior a 16 anos, atuando como uma chaperona farmacológica que proporciona o funcionamento adequado da enzima α-ga

Migalastate para o tratamento de pacientes com Doença de Fabry com mutações suscetíveis e idade igual ou superior a 16 anos / Migalastat for the treatment of patients with Fabry disease with susceptible mutations and age 16 years old or more

INTRODUÇÃO: A Doença de Fabry é uma doença rara na qual a enzima α-galactosidase A apresenta atividade reduzida ou ausente. A atividade comprometida dessa enzima resulta no acúmulo intracelular de globotriaosilceramida e de outras substâncias, o que leva a diversas complicações progressivas e potencialmente irreversíveis em diferentes órgãos, como rim, coração e sistema nervoso. O tratamento da Doença de Fabry pode ser classificado em sintomático, paliativo e específico para a doença, sendo que atualmente estão disponíveis no SUS as duas primeiras modalidades. Os tratamentos específicos com registro na Anvisa são as terapias de reposição enzimática (alfa-agalsidase e beta-agalsidase) e migalastate. As terapias de reposição enzimática (TRE) foram avaliadas pela Conitec em 2020, que recomendou a não incorporação destas tecnologias. O migalastate é uma terapia oral para tratamento da Doença de Fabry em pacientes com mutação suscetível e idade igual ou superior a 16 anos, atuando como uma chaperona farmacológica que proporciona o funcionamento adequado da enzima α-ga

Independent Registries Are Cost-Effective Tools to Provide Mandatory Postauthorization Surveillance for Orphan Medicinal Products.

OBJECTIVES: Orphan medicinal products (OMPs) often receive market authorization under conditions imposed by regulators for ongoing postauthorization surveillance (PAS) to answer questions that remain at the time of market entry. This surveillance may be provided through industry-funded registries (IFRs). Nevertheless, data in these registries may not be of sufficient quality to answer these questions and may not always be accessible for regulatory review. We propose that a mandatory independent registry is an efficient and cost-effective tool for PAS for OMPs. METHODS: Using data from the Canadian Fabry Disease Initiative, we reviewed costs per unique patient from sites participating in both the independent national registry and IFRs for Fabry disease and compared data completeness from the Canadian Fabry Disease Initiative to that in published documents from IFRs. RESULTS: The costs of data collection through the independent registry were 17% to 36% (depending on site) lower than costs to collect data in the IFRs, and completeness of data collected through the independent registry was higher than that through the IFRs. Data from the independent registry were reviewed annually to guide indications for publicly funded Fabry disease therapy. Even when enrollment ceased to be a requirement to receive therapy, 77% of patients continued to enroll in the registry, suggesting the structure was acceptable to patients. CONCLUSIONS: Independent registries are cost-effective and efficient tools and should be mandated by regulatory agencies as the preferred tool for PAS for OMPs. Countries with publicly funded health systems should consider investment in registry infrastructure for OMPs.

Assessment of plasma lyso-Gb3 for clinical monitoring of treatment response in migalastat-treated patients with Fabry disease.

PURPOSE: To assess the utility of globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb3) for clinical monitoring of treatment response in patients with Fabry disease receiving migalastat. METHODS: A post hoc analysis evaluated data from 97 treatment-naive and enzyme replacement therapy (ERT)-experienced patients with migalastat-amenable GLA variants from FACETS (NCT00925301) and ATTRACT (NCT01218659) and subsequent open-label extension studies. The relationship between plasma lyso-Gb3 and measures of Fabry disease progression (left ventricular mass index [LVMi], estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], and pain) and the relationship between lyso-Gb3 and incidence of Fabry-associated clinical events (FACEs) were assessed in both groups. The relationship between changes in lyso-Gb3 and kidney interstitial capillary (KIC) globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) inclusions was assessed in treatment-naive patients. RESULTS: No significant correlations were identified between changes in lyso-Gb3 and changes in LVMi, eGFR, or pain. Neither baseline lyso-Gb3 levels nor the rate of change in lyso-Gb3 levels during treatment predicted FACE occurrences in all patients or those receiving migalastat for ≥24 months. Changes in lyso-Gb3 correlated with changes in KIC Gb3 inclusions in treatment-naive patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although used as a pharmacodynamic biomarker in research and clinical studies, plasma lyso-Gb3 may not be a suitable biomarker for monitoring treatment response in migalastat-treated patients.

Urinary mulberry bodies as a potential biomarker for early diagnosis and efficacy assessment of enzyme replacement therapy in Fabry nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: The inability of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) to prevent progression of Fabry nephropathy (FN) in the presence of >1 g/day proteinuria underscores the necessity of identifying effective biomarkers for early diagnosis of FN preceding proteinuria. Here we attempted to identify biomarkers for early detection of FN. METHODS: Fifty-one Fabry disease (FD) patients were enrolled. Urinary mulberry bodies (uMBs) were immunostained for globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and renal cell markers to determine their origin. The association between semiquantitative uMB excretion and the histological severity of podocyte vacuolation was investigated in seven patients using the vacuolated podocyte:glomerular average area ratio. The association between the semiquantitative estimate of uMB excretion and duration of ERT was analyzed. A longitudinal study was conducted to assess the effect of ERT on uMB excretion. RESULTS: Thirty-two patients (63%) had uMBs, while only 31% showed proteinuria. The uMBs were positive for Gb3, lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 and podocalyxin, suggesting they were derived from lysosomes with Gb3 accumulation in podocytes. We observed more severe podocyte vacuolation with increased uMB excretion (P = 0.03 for trend); however, the same was not observed with increased proteinuria. The percentage of patients with substantial uMB excretion increased with shorter ERT duration (P = 0.018). Eighteen-month-long ERT reduced uMB excretion (P = 0.03) without affecting proteinuria. CONCLUSIONS: uMB excretion, implying ongoing podocyte injury, preceded proteinuria in most patients. Semiquantitative uMB estimates can serve as novel biomarkers for early FN diagnosis and for monitoring the efficacy of FD-specific therapies.