Head-to-head trial of pegunigalsidase alfa versus agalsidase beta in patients with Fabry disease and deteriorating renal function: results from the 2-year randomised phase III BALANCE study.

BACKGROUND: Pegunigalsidase alfa is a PEGylated α-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. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02795676.

Consenso de expertos sobre recomendaciones basadas en evidencia para el diagnóstico, tratamiento y seguimiento de enfermedad de Fabry en pediatría / Expert Consensus on Evidence-Based Recommendations for the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Follow-Up of Fabry Disease in Pediatric Patients / Consenso de especialistas colombianos sobre recomendações baseadas em evidências para o diagnóstico, tratamento e acompanhamento da doença de Fabry em pediatria

Antecedentes: la enfermedad de Fabry (Ef) es una enfermedad rara ligada a X secundaria al depósito lisosomal de glicoesfingolípidos, debido a la deficiencia de la enzima alfa galactosidasa A (α-Gal A). A pesar de su baja frecuencia, es una condición que afecta la calidad de vida de los pacientes y disminuye su esperanza de vida. Objetivo: generar recomendaciones informadas para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de pacientes pediátricos (menores de 18 años) con Ef. Material y Métodos: revisión de literatura en bases de datos y literatura gris a partir de 2010, incluyendo guías de práctica clínica, revisiones sistemáticas y estudios primarios. La calidad de evidencia se evaluó de acuerdo con el tipo. Las recomendaciones se sometieron a consenso de expertos a través de metodología Delphi modificada. El acuerdo se definió a partir del 80 %. Resultados: A partir del análisis de la evidencia recolectada se formularon un total de 45 recomendaciones para tamización, diagnóstico y tratamiento de paciente pediátrico con Ef. El panel revisor estuvo conformado por once expertos en el tema. Las recomendaciones fueron aprobadas con puntuaciones entre 82.3 % y 100 %. Conclusiones: las recomendaciones resultantes del consenso de expertos permitirán la toma de decisiones clínicas y estandarización de la práctica en la atención de pacientes pediátricos con Ef en el país y la región. El diagnóstico temprano y oportuno garantiza una disminución del impacto en la calidad de vida de los pacientes y sus familiares

Background: Fabry disease (fD) is a rare X-linked disease characterized by the accumulation of glyco- sphingolipids in lysosomes due to the deficiency in the production of alpha-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) enzyme. Despite its low frequency, this disease has a serious impact on the life expectancy and quality. Objective: To make evidence-based recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of fD in pediatric patients (<18 years of age). Materials and Methods: A study of databases and gray literature was conducted in 2010, including clinical practice guidelines, systematic reviews, and primary research. The type of evidence was used to determine the quality of evidence. The recommendations were submitted to an expert consensus using the modified Delphi process. The agreement was set at 80%. Conclusions: The recommendations emerging from this expert consensus will enable the standardization of care provision for pediatric patients with fD in Colombia and Latin America and clinical decision-making for disease management. Notably, making an early diagnosis ensures a reduction in the impact of this disease on the quality of life of patients and their families

Fundamento: a doença de Fabry (Df) é uma rara doença ligada ao cromossomo X secundária à deposi- ção lisossômica de glicoesfingolipídeos devido à deficiência da enzima alfa galactosidase A (α-Gal A). Apesar de sua baixa frequência, é uma condição que afeta a qualidade de vida dos pacientes e diminui sua expectativa de vida. Objetivo: gerar recomendações baseadas em evidências para o diagnóstico e tratamento de pacientes pediátricos (com menos de 8 anos de idade) com Df. Materais e Métodos: foi realizada uma revisão da literatura em bases de dados e literatura cinza a partir de 2010, incluindo diretrizes de prática clínica, revisões sistemáticas e estudos primários. A qualidade da evidência foi avaliada de acordo com o tipo de evidência. As recomendações foram submetidas ao consenso de especialistas usando a metodologia Delphi modificada. A concordância foi definida a partir de 80%. Resultados: com base na análise das evidências coletadas, foram formuladas um total de 45 recomendações para triagem, diagnóstico e tratamento de pacientes pediátricos com doença de Fabry. O painel de revisão foi composto por onze especialistas no assunto. As recomendações foram aprovadas com pontuações entre 82,3% e 100%. Conclusões: as recomendações resultantes do consenso de especialistas permitirão a tomada de decisão clínica e a padronização da prática no cuidado de pacientes pediátricos com Df em nível nacional e regional; o diagnóstico precoce e oportuno garante a redução do impacto na qualidade de vida dos pacientes e seus familiares.

[Fabry disease in 2004]. / La maladie de Fabry en 2004: l'avènement de la thérapeutique.

Fabry disease is a hereditary metabolic disease, with an X-linked transmission, that is due to the deficit of alpha-galactosidase A, a lysosomal enzyme. The enzyme deficiency is responsible for an accumulation of neutral glycosphingolipids in the organism with a consequent disease of overload that is responsible for pain, dermatological, renal, cardiac, gastro-intestinal, cochlear and neurological manifestations. Fabry disease starts during childhood but the diagnosis is often made too late. An early diagnosis is nevertheless essential in order to commence a treatment before the occurrence of morbid cardio or cerebro-vascular accidents, or the development of end-stage chronic renal failure. Some phenotypic variants of Fabry disease are probably under-diagnosed among patients with so-called idiopathic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy on haemodialysis. Treatment by substitution of the enzyme with a recombinant alpha-galactosidase has been recently validated in breakthrough controlled clinical trials. Substitutive enzyme treatment represents a major therapeutic development. At the same time, it raises numerous questions such as the ideal age for initiation of treatment, the dose and the optimal frequency of enzyme administration, the reversibility of certain histopathological lesions and the determination of the best markers for the assessment and follow-up of the efficacy of treatment. Monitoring of the plasma levels of the enzyme substrate and the antibody titre seem to be essential. The documentation of short-term clinical benefits could require the use of sophisticated investigation methods such as the study of the myocardial function by tissue Doppler imaging.

[Fabry's disease (alpha-galactosidase-A deficiency): physiopathology, clinical signs, and genetic aspects]. / Maladie de Fabry (déficit en alpha-galactosidase A): physiopathologie, signes cliniques et aspects génétiques.

Fabry disease (FD, OMIM 301500) is an X-linked inherited disorder of metabolism due to mutations in the gene encoding alpha-galactosidase A, a lysosomal enzyme. The enzymatic defect leads to the accumulation of neutral glycosphingolipids throughout the body, particularly within endothelial cells. Resulting narrowing and tortuosity of small blood vessels lead to tissue ischaemia and infarction. Inability to prevent the progression of glycosphingolipid deposition causes significant morbidity (acroparesthesia, angiokeratoma, autonomic dysfunction, cardiomyopathy and deafness), and mortality from early onset strokes, heart attack and renal failure in adulthood. Demonstration of alpha-galactosidase A deficiency in leukocytes or plasma is the definitive method for the diagnosis of affected hemizygous males. Most heterozygotes present with a cardiac, renal or neurological symptomatology, although to a lesser extent than what is observed in hemizygotes. Due to random X-chromosomal inactivation, enzymatic detection of carriers is often inconclusive. Molecular testing of possible carriers is therefore mandatory for accurate genetic counselling. The GLA gene has been cloned and more than 200 mutations have been identified. Medical management is symptomatic and consists of partial pain relief with analgesic drugs (gabapentin, carbamazepine), whereas renal transplantation or dialysis is available for patients experiencing end-stage renal failure. However, the ability to produce high doses of alpha-galactosidase A in vitro has opened the way to clinical studies and enzyme replacement therapy has recently been validated as a therapeutic agent for FD patients in clinical trials. Long term safety and efficacy of replacement therapy are currently being investigated.