Fabry disease and enzyme replacement therapy in classic patients with same mutation: different formulations--different outcome?

We describe the results of the multidisciplinary evaluation in patients with Fabry disease and the same genetic mutation and their outcomes using different approved enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). We measured baseline data and serial results of neuropathic pain assessment and renal, cardiac and cerebrovascular functioning. Pain scale showed improvement in all male cases treated with agalsidasa beta. A mild improvement was detected in agalsidasa alfa-treated patients after 1 year with posterior increase. During the agalsidase beta shortage, two male patients were switched to agalsidasa alfa, after 1 year both cases presented an increase in scale values. Renal evolution showed a tendency toward a decrease in proteinuria in patients using agalsidase beta and worsening with agalsidase alfa. We found improvement in two females using agalsidase beta and no changes in the other cases regarding cardiac functioning. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed increase of white matter lesions in four patients. Improvement and stabilization in neuropathic pain, renal and cardiac functioning and brain MRI were found mainly in patients treated with agalsidase beta. Following the reported recommendations on reintroduction of agalsidase beta after the enzyme shortage, we decided to switch all patients to agalsidase beta.

p.L18P: a novel IDUA mutation that causes a distinct attenuated phenotype in mucopolysaccharidosis type I patients.

Mucopolysaccharidosis type I is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by deficiency of α-l-iduronidase (IDUA) which leads to a wide spectrum of clinical severity. Here, we describe the case of four male patients who present the previously undescribed p.L18P mutation. Patient 1 (p.L18P/p.L18P) presents, despite multiple joint contractures, an attenuated phenotype. Patient 2 (p.L18P/p.W402X) was diagnosed at 4 years of age with bone dysplasia, coarse facies, limited mobility, claw hands and underwent bilateral carpal tunnel surgery at 6 years of age. Patients 3 and 4 (both p.L18P/p.L18P) are brothers. Patient 3 was diagnosed at 4 years of age, when presented claw hands, lower limb and shoulder pain, restricted articular movement and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. Patient 4 was diagnosed at 17 months of age when presented lower limb pain at night, respiratory allergy and repeated upper airways infections. Bioinformatics analysis indicates that p.L18P mutation reduces the signal peptide to 25 amino acids and alters its secondary structure. In conclusion, we report a new IDUA variant that alters the structure of the signal peptide, which likely impairs transport to lysosomes. Moreover, it leads to a distinct attenuated phenotype with mainly bone and cartilage symptoms, without visceromegalies, heart disease, or cognitive impairment.

Molecular analysis of Sanfilippo syndrome type C in Spain: seven novel HGSNAT mutations and characterization of the mutant alleles.

The Sanfilippo syndrome type C [mucopolysaccharidosis IIIC (MPS IIIC)] is caused by mutations in the HGSNAT gene, encoding an enzyme involved in heparan sulphate degradation. We report the first molecular study on several Spanish Sanfilippo syndrome type C patients. Seven Spanish patients, one Argentinean and three Moroccan patients were analysed. All mutant alleles were identified and comprised nine distinct mutant alleles, seven of which were novel, including four missense mutations (p.A54V, p.L113P, p.G424V and p.L445P) and three splicing mutations due to two point mutations (c.633+1G>A and c.1378-1G>A) and an intronic deletion (c.821-31_821-13del). Furthermore, we found a new single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (c.564-98T>C). The two most frequent changes were the previously described c.372-2A>G and c.234+1G>A mutations. All five splicing mutations were experimentally confirmed by studies at the RNA level, and a minigene experiment was carried out in one case for which no fibroblasts were available. Expression assays allowed us to show the pathogenic effect of the four novel missense mutations and to confirm that the already known c.710C>A (p.P237Q) is a non-pathogenic SNP. Haplotype analyses suggested that the two mutations (c.234+1G>A and c.372-2A>G) that were present in more than one patient have a common origin, including one (c.234+1G>A) that was found in Spanish and Moroccan patients.

Methods for a prompt and reliable laboratory diagnosis of Pompe disease: report from an international consensus meeting.

Pompe disease is an autosomal recessive disorder of glycogen metabolism caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA). It presents at any age, with variable rates of progression ranging from a rapidly progressive course, often fatal by one-year of age, to a more slowly, but nevertheless relentlessly progressive course, resulting in significant morbidity and premature mortality. In infants, early initiation of enzyme replacement therapy is needed to gain the maximum therapeutic benefit, underscoring the need for early diagnosis. Several new methods for measuring GAA activity have been developed. The Pompe Disease Diagnostic Working Group met to review data generated using the new methods, and to establish a consensus regarding the application of the methods for the laboratory diagnosis of Pompe disease. Skin fibroblasts and muscle biopsy have traditionally been the samples of choice for measuring GAA activity. However, new methods using blood samples are rapidly becoming adopted because of their speed and convenience. Measuring GAA activity in blood samples should be performed under acidic conditions (pH 3.8-4.0), using up to 2 mM of the synthetic substrate 4-methylumbelliferyl-alpha-D-glucoside or glycogen (50 mg/mL), in the presence of acarbose (3-9 microM) to inhibit the isoenzyme maltase-glucoamylase. The activity of a reference enzyme should also be measured to confirm the quality of the sample. A second test should be done to support the diagnosis of Pompe disease until a program for external quality assurance and proficiency testing of the enzymatic diagnosis in blood is established.