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Qu Y, Bai J, Jiao H, Qi H, Huang W, OuYang S, Peng X, Jin Y, Wang H, Song F. Variants located in intron 6 of SMN1 lead to misdiagnosis in genetic detection and screening for SMA. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28015. [PMID: 38515714 PMCID: PMC10955315 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Accurate genetic diagnosis is necessary for guiding the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). An updated consensus for the diagnosis and management of SMA was published in 2018. However, clinicians should remain alert to some pitfalls of genetic testing that can occur when following a routine diagnosis. In this study, we report the diagnosis of three unrelated individuals who were initially misdiagnosed as carrying a homozygous deletion of SMN1 exon 7. MLPA (P060 and P021) and qPCR were used to detect the copy number of SMN. SMN1 variants were identified by SMN1 clone and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Transcription of SMN1 variants was detected using qRT-PCR and ex vivo splicing analysis. Among the three individuals, one was identified as a patient with SMA carrying a heterozygous deletion and a pathogenic variant (c.835-17_835-14delCTTT) of SMN1, one was a healthy carrier only carrying a heterozygous deletion of SMN1 exon 7, and the third was a patient with nemaline myopathy 2 carrying a heterozygous deletion of SMN1 exon 7. The misdiagnosis of these individuals was attributed to the presence of the c.835-17_835-14delCTTT or c.835-17C > G variants in SMN1 intron 6, which affect the amplification of SMN1 exon 7 during MLPA-P060 and qPCR testing. However, MLPA-P021 and NGS analyses were unaffected by these variants. These results support that additional detection methods should be employed in cases where the SMN1 copy number is ambiguous to minimize the misdiagnosis of SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujin Qu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Jinli Bai
- Department of Medical Genetics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Jiao
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Qi
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Beijing Haidian District Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wenchen Huang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Shijia OuYang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyin Peng
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Yuwei Jin
- Department of Medical Genetics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Song
- Department of Medical Genetics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
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Andrés-Benito P, Vázquez-Costa JF, Ñungo Garzón NC, Colomina MJ, Marco C, González L, Terrafeta C, Domínguez R, Ferrer I, Povedano M. Neurodegeneration Biomarkers in Adult Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Patients Treated with Nusinersen. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3810. [PMID: 38612621 PMCID: PMC11011665 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study is to evaluate biomarkers for neurodegenerative disorders in adult SMA patients and their potential for monitoring the response to nusinersen. Biomarkers for neurodegenerative disorders were assessed in plasma and CSF samples obtained from a total of 30 healthy older adult controls and 31 patients with adult SMA type 2 and 3. The samples were collected before and during nusinersen treatment at various time points, approximately at 2, 6, 10, and 22 months. Using ELISA technology, the levels of total tau, pNF-H, NF-L, sAPPβ, Aβ40, Aβ42, and YKL-40 were evaluated in CSF samples. Additionally, plasma samples were used to measure NF-L and total tau levels using SIMOA technology. SMA patients showed improvements in clinical outcomes after nusinersen treatment, which were statistically significant only in walkers, in RULM (p = 0.04) and HFMSE (p = 0.05) at 24 months. A reduction in sAPPβ levels was found after nusinersen treatment, but these levels did not correlate with clinical outcomes. Other neurodegeneration biomarkers (NF-L, pNF-H, total tau, YKL-40, Aβ40, and Aβ42) were not found consistently changed with nusinersen treatment. The slow progression rate and mild treatment response of adult SMA types 2 and 3 may not lead to detectable changes in common markers of axonal degradation, inflammation, or neurodegeneration, since it does not involve large pools of damaged neurons as observed in pediatric forms. However, changes in biomarkers associated with the APP processing pathway might be linked to treatment administration. Further studies are warranted to better understand these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pol Andrés-Benito
- Neurologic Diseases and Neurogenetics Group, Institute of Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERNED (Network Centre of Biomedical Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases), Institute of Health Carlos III, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan Francisco Vázquez-Costa
- Neuromuscular Unit and ERN-NMD Group, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe and IIS La Fe, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 46026 Valencia, Spain
- Department of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46021 Valencia, Spain
| | - Nancy Carolina Ñungo Garzón
- Neuromuscular Unit and ERN-NMD Group, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe and IIS La Fe, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - María J. Colomina
- Anesthesia and Critical Care Department, Bellvitge University Hospital-University of Barcelona, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carla Marco
- Functional Unit of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (UFELA), Department of Neurology, Bellvitge University Hospital, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Laura González
- Functional Unit of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (UFELA), Department of Neurology, Bellvitge University Hospital, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cristina Terrafeta
- Functional Unit of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (UFELA), Department of Neurology, Bellvitge University Hospital, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raúl Domínguez
- Neurologic Diseases and Neurogenetics Group, Institute of Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERNED (Network Centre of Biomedical Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases), Institute of Health Carlos III, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Functional Unit of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (UFELA), Department of Neurology, Bellvitge University Hospital, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isidro Ferrer
- CIBERNED (Network Centre of Biomedical Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases), Institute of Health Carlos III, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Neuropathology Group, Institute of Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Barcelona, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mónica Povedano
- Neurologic Diseases and Neurogenetics Group, Institute of Biomedical Research (IDIBELL), 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERNED (Network Centre of Biomedical Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases), Institute of Health Carlos III, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
- Functional Unit of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (UFELA), Department of Neurology, Bellvitge University Hospital, 08907 Barcelona, Spain
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53
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Côté I, Hodgkinson V, Nury M, Bastenier-Boutin L, Rodrigue X. A Real-World Study of Nusinersen Effects in Adults with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 2 and 3. Can J Neurol Sci 2024:1-10. [PMID: 38532567 DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2024.49] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a progressive genetic disorder characterized by muscle weakness ultimately leading to pulmonary impairments that can be fatal. The recent approval of nusinersen, a disease-modifying therapy, substantially changed the prognosis for patients, particularly in children. However, real-world evidence about its long-term effectiveness in adults remains limited. This study aimed to document longitudinal data on motor function, pulmonary function and patient-reported outcome measures of Canadian adults with SMA type 2 and 3 treated with nusinersen. METHODS Outcomes from 17 patients were collected at the Institut de réadaptation en déficience physique de Québec during routine clinical visits over 36 months post nusinersen treatment, using the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded for SMA (HFMSE), Revised Upper Limb Module (RULM), 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Adult Test of Neuromuscular Disorders (CHOP-ATEND), SMA functional rating scale (SMAFRS), pulmonary function testing and subjective changes reported by patients. RESULTS After 36 months, 9 patients showed motor function improvement. Changes beyond the minimal clinically important difference were seen for four patients on the HFMSE, four patients on the RULM and five patients on the 6MWT. Pulmonary function remained stable for most subjects. Subjective positive changes were reported in 88% of patients and five patients showed improvement in the SMAFRS. CONCLUSION This real-world study demonstrates the positive effects of nusinersen in adults with SMA types 2 and 3. Although stabilizing the patient's condition is considered therapeutic success, this study shows an improvement in motor function and subjective gains in several patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Côté
- Groupe de recherche interdisciplinaire sur les maladies neuromusculaires (GRIMN), Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux du Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Saguenay, QC, Canada
| | - Victoria Hodgkinson
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Marianne Nury
- Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Louis Bastenier-Boutin
- Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Xavier Rodrigue
- Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de la Capitale-Nationale, Québec, QC, Canada
- Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale (CIRRIS), Institut de réadaptation en déficience physique de Québec (IRDPQ), Québec, QC, Canada
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54
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Lapp HS, Freigang M, Friese J, Bernsen S, Tüngler V, von der Hagen M, Weydt P, Günther R. Troponin T is elevated in a relevant proportion of patients with 5q-associated spinal muscular atrophy. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6634. [PMID: 38503830 PMCID: PMC10951305 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-57185-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Troponin T concentration (TNT) is commonly considered a marker of myocardial damage. However, elevated concentrations have been demonstrated in numerous neuromuscular disorders, pointing to the skeletal muscle as a possible extracardiac origin. The aim of this study was to determine disease-related changes of TNT in 5q-associated spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and to screen for its biomarker potential in SMA. We therefore included 48 pediatric and 45 adult SMA patients in this retrospective cross-sequential observational study. Fluid muscle integrity and cardiac markers were analyzed in the serum of treatment-naïve patients and subsequently under disease-modifying therapies. We found a TNT elevation in 61% of SMA patients but no elevation of the cardiospecific isoform Troponin I (TNI). TNT elevation was more pronounced in children and particularly infants with aggressive phenotypes. In adults, TNT correlated to muscle destruction and decreased under therapy only in the subgroup with elevated TNT at baseline. In conclusion, TNT was elevated in a relevant proportion of patients with SMA with emphasis in infants and more aggressive phenotypes. Normal TNI levels support a likely extracardiac origin. Although its stand-alone biomarker potential seems to be limited, exploring TNT in SMA underlines the investigation of skeletal muscle integrity markers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Sophie Lapp
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maren Freigang
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Johannes Friese
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sarah Bernsen
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Victoria Tüngler
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maja von der Hagen
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Patrick Weydt
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - René Günther
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Dresden, Germany.
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55
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Iammarino MA, Alfano LN, Reash NF, Sabo B, Conroy S, Noritz G, Wendland M, Lowes LP. Feasibility and utility of in-home body weight support harness system use in young children treated for spinal muscular atrophy: A single-arm prospective cohort study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300244. [PMID: 38502672 PMCID: PMC10950233 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This single-arm prospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and utility of in-home body weight support harness system (BWSS) use in children treated for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). METHODS Individuals with 2 or 3 copies of SMN2 who received pharmacotherapeutic treatment, had head control, and weight <50lbs were enrolled. Families were provided a BWSS and documented use. Motor outcome assessments were completed at baseline, month 3 and month 6. Families provided feedback in an end of study survey. RESULTS All 32 participants (2.9 (SD 1.9) yrs), improved or remained stable on all outcomes. Average reported frequency of use was 4.1(2.3) hrs/week. Controlling for other covariates, frequency of use explained over 70% of the variability in change scores. Family feedback was overwhelmingly positive. CONCLUSION Use of in-home BWSS is a safe, feasible and useful option to increase exercise dosage after treatment in SMA and may help optimize motor abilities. TRIAL REGISTRATION Study registered with: Clinicaltrials.gov Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT05715749.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A. Iammarino
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Lindsay N. Alfano
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Natalie F. Reash
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Brenna Sabo
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Sara Conroy
- Center for Biostatistics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Biostatistics Resource at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Garey Noritz
- Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- School of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Madalynn Wendland
- Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Linda P. Lowes
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
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Yoshinaga M, Takeuchi O. Regulation of inflammatory diseases via the control of mRNA decay. Inflamm Regen 2024; 44:14. [PMID: 38491500 PMCID: PMC10941436 DOI: 10.1186/s41232-024-00326-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Inflammation orchestrates a finely balanced process crucial for microorganism elimination and tissue injury protection. A multitude of immune and non-immune cells, alongside various proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, collectively regulate this response. Central to this regulation is post-transcriptional control, governing gene expression at the mRNA level. RNA-binding proteins such as tristetraprolin, Roquin, and the Regnase family, along with RNA modifications, intricately dictate the mRNA decay of pivotal mediators and regulators in the inflammatory response. Dysregulated activity of these factors has been implicated in numerous human inflammatory diseases, underscoring the significance of post-transcriptional regulation. The increasing focus on targeting these mechanisms presents a promising therapeutic strategy for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This review offers an extensive overview of post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms during inflammatory responses, delving into recent advancements, their implications in human diseases, and the strides made in therapeutic exploitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masanori Yoshinaga
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
| | - Osamu Takeuchi
- Department of Medical Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
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57
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Doody A, Alfano L, Diaz-Manera J, Lowes L, Mozaffar T, Mathews KD, Weihl CC, Wicklund M, Hung M, Statland J, Johnson NE. Defining clinical endpoints in limb girdle muscular dystrophy: a GRASP-LGMD study. BMC Neurol 2024; 24:96. [PMID: 38491364 PMCID: PMC10941356 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03588-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophies (LGMDs) are characterized by progressive weakness of the shoulder and hip girdle muscles as a result of over 30 different genetic mutations. This study is designed to develop clinical outcome assessments across the group of disorders. METHODS/DESIGN The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the utility of a set of outcome measures on a wide range of LGMD phenotypes and ability levels to determine if it would be possible to use similar outcomes between individuals with different phenotypes. We will perform a multi-center, 12-month study of 188 LGMD patients within the established Genetic Resolution and Assessments Solving Phenotypes in LGMD (GRASP-LGMD) Research Consortium, which is comprised of 11 sites in the United States and 2 sites in Europe. Enrolled patients will be clinically affected and have mutations in CAPN3 (LGMDR1), ANO5 (LGMDR12), DYSF (LGMDR2), DNAJB6 (LGMDD1), SGCA (LGMDR3), SGCB (LGMDR4), SGCD (LGMDR6), or SGCG (LGMDR5, or FKRP-related (LGMDR9). DISCUSSION To the best of our knowledge, this will be the largest consortium organized to prospectively validate clinical outcome assessments (COAs) in LGMD at its completion. These assessments will help clinical trial readiness by identifying reliable, valid, and responsive outcome measures as well as providing data driven clinical trial decision making for future clinical trials on therapeutic agents for LGMD. The results of this study will permit more efficient clinical trial design. All relevant data will be made available for investigators or companies involved in LGMD therapeutic development upon conclusion of this study as applicable. TRIAL REGISTRATION Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03981289; Date of registration: 6/10/2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy Doody
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | | | - Linda Lowes
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Man Hung
- Roseman University, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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58
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Crawford TO, Darras BT, Day JW, Dunaway Young S, Duong T, Nelson LL, Barrett D, Song G, Bilic S, Cote S, Sadanowicz M, Iarrobino R, Xu TJ, O'Neil J, Rossello J, Place A, Kertesz N, Nomikos G, Chyung Y. Safety and Efficacy of Apitegromab in Patients With Spinal Muscular Atrophy Types 2 and 3: The Phase 2 TOPAZ Study. Neurology 2024; 102:e209151. [PMID: 38330285 PMCID: PMC11067700 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000209151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Currently approved therapies for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) reverse the degenerative course, leading to better functional outcome, but they do not address the impairment arising from preexisting neurodegeneration. Apitegromab, an investigational, fully human monoclonal antibody, inhibits activation of myostatin (a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth), thereby preserving muscle mass. The phase 2 TOPAZ trial assessed the safety and efficacy of apitegromab in individuals with later-onset type 2 and type 3 SMA. METHODS In this study, designed to investigate potential meaningful combinations of eligibility and treatment regimen for future studies, participants aged 2-21 years received IV apitegromab infusions every 4 weeks for 12 months in 1 of 3 cohorts. Cohort 1 stratified ambulatory participants aged 5-21 years into 2 arms (apitegromab 20 mg/kg alone or in combination with nusinersen); cohort 2 evaluated apitegromab 20 mg/kg combined with nusinersen in nonambulatory participants aged 5-21 years; and cohort 3 blindly evaluated 2 randomized apitegromab doses (2 and 20 mg/kg) combined with nusinersen in younger participants ≥2 years of age. The primary efficacy measure was mean change from baseline using the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale version appropriate for each cohort. Data were analyzed using a paired t test with 2-sided 5% type 1 error for the mean change from baseline for predefined cohort-specific primary efficacy end points. RESULTS Fifty-eight participants (mean age 9.4 years) were enrolled at 16 trial sites in the United States and Europe. Participants had been treated with nusinersen for a mean of 25.9 months before enrollment in any of the 3 trial cohorts. At month 12, the mean change from baseline in Hammersmith scale score was -0.3 points (95% CI -2.1 to 1.4) in cohort 1 (n = 23), 0.6 points (-1.4 to 2.7) in cohort 2 (n = 15), and in cohort 3 (n = 20), the mean scores were 5.3 (-1.5 to 12.2) and 7.1 (1.8 to 12.5) for the 2-mg/kg (n = 8) and 20-mg/kg (n = 9) arms, respectively. The 5 most frequently reported treatment-emergent adverse events were headache (24.1%), pyrexia (22.4%), upper respiratory tract infection (22.4%), cough (22.4%), and nasopharyngitis (20.7%). No deaths or serious adverse reactions were reported. DISCUSSION Apitegromab led to improved motor function in participants with later-onset types 2 and 3 SMA. These results support a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial of apitegromab in participants with SMA. TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03921528). CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class III evidence that apitegromab improves motor function in later-onset types 2 and 3 spinal muscular atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas O Crawford
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Basil T Darras
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - John W Day
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Sally Dunaway Young
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Tina Duong
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Leslie L Nelson
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Doreen Barrett
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Guochen Song
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Sanela Bilic
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Shaun Cote
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Mara Sadanowicz
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Ryan Iarrobino
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Tiina J Xu
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Janet O'Neil
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - José Rossello
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Amy Place
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Nathalie Kertesz
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - George Nomikos
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
| | - Yung Chyung
- From the Department of Neurology (T.O.C.), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (B.T.D.), Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, MA; Department of Neurology (J.W.D., S.D.Y., T.D.), Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA; Department of Physical Therapy (L.L.N.), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas; Scholar Rock, Inc. (D.B., G.S., S.C., M.S., R.I., T.J.X., J.O.N., J.R., A.P., N.K., G.N., Y.C.), Cambridge, MA; Vanadro, LLC (S.B.), Urbandale, IA; Tourmaline Bio, Inc. (R.I.), New York, NY; Pfizer, Inc. (A.P.), New York, NY; Harmony Biosciences (G.N.), Plymouth Meeting, PA; and Stealth BioTherapeutics (Y.C.), Needham, MA
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Kolesnikov AV, Murphy DP, Corbo JC, Kefalov VJ. Germline knockout of Nr2e3 protects photoreceptors in three distinct mouse models of retinal degeneration. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2316118121. [PMID: 38442152 PMCID: PMC10945761 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2316118121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a common form of retinal dystrophy that can be caused by mutations in any one of dozens of rod photoreceptor genes. The genetic heterogeneity of RP represents a significant challenge for the development of effective therapies. Here, we present evidence for a potential gene-independent therapeutic strategy based on targeting Nr2e3, a transcription factor required for the normal differentiation of rod photoreceptors. Nr2e3 knockout results in hybrid rod photoreceptors that express the full complement of rod genes, but also a subset of cone genes. We show that germline deletion of Nr2e3 potently protects rods in three mechanistically diverse mouse models of retinal degeneration caused by bright-light exposure (light damage), structural deficiency (rhodopsin-deficient Rho-/- mice), or abnormal phototransduction (phosphodiesterase-deficient rd10 mice). Nr2e3 knockout confers strong neuroprotective effects on rods without adverse effects on their gene expression, structure, or function. Furthermore, in all three degeneration models, prolongation of rod survival by Nr2e3 knockout leads to lasting preservation of cone morphology and function. These findings raise the possibility that upregulation of one or more cone genes in Nr2e3-deficient rods may be responsible for the neuroprotective effects we observe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V. Kolesnikov
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, CA92697
| | - Daniel P. Murphy
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
| | - Joseph C. Corbo
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO63110
| | - Vladimir J. Kefalov
- Department of Ophthalmology, Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine, CA92697
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60
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Roos A, Schmitt LI, Hansmann C, Hezel S, Salmanian S, Hentschel A, Meyer N, Marina AD, Kölbel H, Kleinschnitz C, Schara-Schmidt U, Leo M, Hagenacker T. Alteration of LARGE1 abundance in patients and a mouse model of 5q-associated spinal muscular atrophy. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 147:53. [PMID: 38470509 PMCID: PMC10933199 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02709-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disorder caused by recessive pathogenic variants affecting the survival of motor neuron (SMN1) gene (localized on 5q). In consequence, cells lack expression of the corresponding protein. This pathophysiological condition is clinically associated with motor neuron (MN) degeneration leading to severe muscular atrophy. Additionally, vulnerability of other cellular populations and tissues including skeletal muscle has been demonstrated. Although the therapeutic options for SMA have considerably changed, treatment responses may differ thus underlining the persistent need for validated biomarkers. To address this need and to identify novel marker proteins for SMA, we performed unbiased proteomic profiling on cerebrospinal fluid derived (CSF) from genetically proven SMA type 1-3 cases and afterwards performed ELISA studies on CSF and serum samples to validate the potential of a novel biomarker candidates in both body fluids. To further decipher the pathophysiological impact of this biomarker, immunofluorescence studies were carried out on spinal cord and skeletal muscle derived from a 5q-SMA mouse model. Proteomics revealed increase of LARGE1 in CSF derived from adult patients showing a clinical response upon treatment with nusinersen. Moreover, LARGE1 levels were validated in CSF samples of further SMA patients (type 1-3) by ELISA. These studies also unveiled a distinguishment between groups in improvement of motor skills: adult patients do present with lowered level per se at baseline visit while no elevation upon treatment in the pediatric cohort can be observed. ELISA-based studies of serum samples showed no changes in the pediatric cohort but unraveled elevated level in adult patients responding to future intervention with nusinersen, while non-responders did not show a significant increase. Additional immunofluorescence studies of LARGE1 in MN and skeletal muscle of a SMA type 3 mouse model revealed an increase of LARGE1 during disease progression. Our combined data unraveled LARGE1 as a protein dysregulated in serum and CSF of SMA-patients (and in MN and skeletal muscle of SMA mice) holding the potential to serve as a disease marker for SMA and enabling to differentiate between patients responding and non-responding to therapy with nusinersen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Roos
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Center for Neuromuscular Disorders, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, Brain and Mind Research Institute and Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Linda-Isabell Schmitt
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany.
| | - Christina Hansmann
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Hezel
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Schahin Salmanian
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Andreas Hentschel
- Leibniz-Institut Für Analytische Wissenschaften-ISAS-e.V., Dortmund, Germany, Otto-Hahn-Strasse 6B, 44227, Dortmund, Germany
| | - Nancy Meyer
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Center for Neuromuscular Disorders, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Adela Della Marina
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Center for Neuromuscular Disorders, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Heike Kölbel
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Center for Neuromuscular Disorders, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Christoph Kleinschnitz
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Ulrike Schara-Schmidt
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Center for Neuromuscular Disorders, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Markus Leo
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
| | - Tim Hagenacker
- Department of Neurology, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences (C-TNBS), University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany
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Yao M, Jiang L, Yu Y, Cui Y, Chen Y, Zhou D, Gao F, Mao S. Optimized MLPA workflow for spinal muscular atrophy diagnosis: identification of a novel variant, NC_000005.10:g.(70919941_70927324)del in isolated exon 1 of SMN1 gene through long-range PCR. BMC Neurol 2024; 24:93. [PMID: 38468256 PMCID: PMC10926642 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03592-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare autosomal recessive hereditary neuromuscular disease caused by survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene deletion or mutation. Homozygous deletions of exon 7 in SMN1 result in 95% of SMA cases, while the remaining 5% are caused by other pathogenic variants of SMN1. METHODS We analyzed two SMA-suspected cases that were collected, with no SMN1 gene deletion and point mutation in whole-exome sequencing. Exon 1 deletion of the SMN gene was detected using Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) P021. We used long-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to isolate the SMN1 template, optimized-MLPA P021 for copy number variation (CNV) analysis within SMN1 only, and validated the findings via third-generation sequencing. RESULTS Two unrelated families shared a genotype with one copy of exon 7 and a novel variant, g.70919941_70927324del, in isolated exon 1 of the SMN1 gene. Case F1-II.1 demonstrated no exon 1 but retained other exons, whereas F2-II.1 had an exon 1 deletion in a single SMN1 gene. The read coverage in the third-generation sequencing results of both F1-II.1 and F2-II.1 revealed a deletion of approximately 7.3 kb in the 5' region of SMN1. The first nucleotide in the sequence data aligned to the 7385 bp of NG_008691.1. CONCLUSION Remarkably, two proband families demonstrated identical SMN1 exon 1 breakpoint sites, hinting at a potential novel mutation hotspot in Chinese SMA, expanding the variation spectrum of the SMN1 gene and corroborating the specificity of isolated exon 1 deletion in SMA pathogenesis. The optimized-MLPA P021 determined a novel variant (g.70919941_70927324del) in isolated exon 1 of the SMN1 gene based on long-range PCR, enabling efficient and affordable detection of SMN gene variations in patients with SMA, providing new insight into SMA diagnosis to SMN1 deficiency and an optimized workflow for single exon CNV testing of the SMN gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Yao
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310052, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liya Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310052, China
| | - Yicheng Yu
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310052, China
| | - Yiqin Cui
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310052, China
| | - Yuwei Chen
- Xiamen Biofast Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Xiamen, China
| | - Dongming Zhou
- Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310052, China
| | - Shanshan Mao
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, 310052, China.
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Xu F, Zheng C, Xu W, Zhang S, Liu S, Chen X, Yao K. Breaking genetic shackles: The advance of base editing in genetic disorder treatment. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1364135. [PMID: 38510648 PMCID: PMC10953296 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1364135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The rapid evolution of gene editing technology has markedly improved the outlook for treating genetic diseases. Base editing, recognized as an exceptionally precise genetic modification tool, is emerging as a focus in the realm of genetic disease therapy. We provide a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles and delivery methods of cytosine base editors (CBE), adenine base editors (ABE), and RNA base editors, with a particular focus on their applications and recent research advances in the treatment of genetic diseases. We have also explored the potential challenges faced by base editing technology in treatment, including aspects such as targeting specificity, safety, and efficacy, and have enumerated a series of possible solutions to propel the clinical translation of base editing technology. In conclusion, this article not only underscores the present state of base editing technology but also envisions its tremendous potential in the future, providing a novel perspective on the treatment of genetic diseases. It underscores the vast potential of base editing technology in the realm of genetic medicine, providing support for the progression of gene medicine and the development of innovative approaches to genetic disease therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Xu
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Caiyan Zheng
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Weihui Xu
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shiyao Zhang
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shanshan Liu
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaopeng Chen
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kai Yao
- Institute of Visual Neuroscience and Stem Cell Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- College of Life Sciences and Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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63
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Sergeeva O, Akhmetova E, Dukova S, Beloglazkina E, Uspenskaya A, Machulkin A, Stetsenko D, Zatsepin T. Structure-activity relationship study of mesyl and busyl phosphoramidate antisense oligonucleotides for unaided and PSMA-mediated uptake into prostate cancer cells. Front Chem 2024; 12:1342178. [PMID: 38501046 PMCID: PMC10944894 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1342178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Phosphorothioate (PS) group is a key component of a majority of FDA approved oligonucleotide drugs that increase stability to nucleases whilst maintaining interactions with many proteins, including RNase H in the case of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). At the same time, uniform PS modification increases nonspecific protein binding that can trigger toxicity and pro-inflammatory effects, so discovery and characterization of alternative phosphate mimics for RNA therapeutics is an actual task. Here we evaluated the effects of the introduction of several N-alkane sulfonyl phosphoramidate groups such as mesyl (methanesulfonyl) or busyl (1-butanesulfonyl) phosphoramidates into gapmer ASOs on the efficiency and pattern of RNase H cleavage, cellular uptake in vitro, and intracellular localization. Using Malat1 lncRNA as a target, we have identified patterns of mesyl or busyl modifications in the ASOs for optimal knockdown in vitro. Combination of the PSMA ligand-mediated delivery with optimized mesyl and busyl ASOs resulted in the efficient target depletion in the prostate cancer cells. Our study demonstrated that other N-alkanesulfonyl phosphoramidate groups apart from a known mesyl phosphoramidate can serve as an essential component of mixed backbone gapmer ASOs to reduce drawbacks of uniformly PS-modified gapmers, and deserve further investigation in RNA therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. Sergeeva
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - E. Akhmetova
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - S. Dukova
- Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia
| | - E. Beloglazkina
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - A. Uspenskaya
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - A. Machulkin
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Department for Biochemistry, People’s Friendship University of Russia Named after Patrice Lumumba (RUDN University), Moscow, Russia
| | - D. Stetsenko
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - T. Zatsepin
- Department of Chemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
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64
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Lane-Donovan C, Boxer AL. Disentangling tau: One protein, many therapeutic approaches. Neurotherapeutics 2024; 21:e00321. [PMID: 38278659 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurot.2024.e00321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The tauopathies encompass over 20 adult neurodegenerative diseases and are characterized by the dysfunction and accumulation of insoluble tau protein. Among them, Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and progressive supranuclear palsy collectively impact millions of patients and their families worldwide. Despite years of drug development using a variety of mechanisms of action, no therapeutic directed against tau has been approved for clinical use. This raises important questions about our current model of tau pathology and invites thoughtful consideration of our approach to nonclinical models and clinical trial design. In this article, we review what is known about the biology and genetics of tau, placing it in the context of current and failed clinical trials. We highlight potential reasons for the lack of success to date and offer suggestions for new pathways in therapeutic development. Overall, our viewpoint to the future is optimistic for this important group of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Courtney Lane-Donovan
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, Suite 190, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Adam L Boxer
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, 675 Nelson Rising Lane, Suite 190, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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65
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Damacena de Angelis C, Meddeb M, Chen N, Fisher SA. An antisense oligonucleotide efficiently suppresses splicing of an alternative exon in vascular smooth muscle in vivo. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2024; 326:H860-H869. [PMID: 38276948 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00745.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Targeting alternative exons for therapeutic gain has been achieved in a few instances and potentially could be applied more broadly. The myosin phosphatase (MP) enzyme is a critical hub upon which signals converge to regulate vessel tone. Alternative exon 24 of myosin phosphatase regulatory subunit (Mypt1 E24) is an ideal target as toggling between the two isoforms sets smooth muscle sensitivity to vasodilators such as nitric oxide (NO). This study aimed to develop a gene-based therapy to suppress splicing of Mypt1 E24 thereby switching MP enzyme to the NO-responsive isoform. CRISPR/Cas9 constructs were effective at editing of Mypt1 E24 in vitro; however, targeting of vascular smooth muscle in vivo with AAV9 was inefficient. In contrast, an octo-guanidine conjugated antisense oligonucleotide targeting the 5' splice site of Mypt1 E24 was highly efficient in vivo. It reduced the percent splicing inclusion of Mypt1 E24 from 80% to 10% in mesenteric arteries. The maximal and half-maximal effects occurred at 12.5 and 6.25 mg/kg, respectively. The effect persisted for at least 1 mo without toxicity. This highly effective splice-blocking antisense oligonucleotide could be developed as a novel therapy to reverse vascular dysfunction common to diseases such as hypertension and heart failure.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Alternative exon usage is a major driver of phenotypic diversity in all cell types including smooth muscle. However, the functional significance of most of the hundreds of thousands of alternative exons has not been defined, nor in most cases even tested. If their importance to vascular function were known these alternative exons could represent novel therapeutic targets. Here, we present injection of Vivo-morpholino splice-blocking antisense oligonucleotides as a simple, efficient, and cost-effective method for suppression of alternative exon usage in vascular smooth muscle in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mariam Meddeb
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Nelson Chen
- University of Maryland-Baltimore Scholars Program, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Steven A Fisher
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
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Ueda Y, Egawa K, Kawamura K, Ochi N, Goto T, Kimura S, Narugami M, Nakakubo S, Nakajima M, Manabe A, Shiraishi H. Nusinersen induces detectable changes in compound motor action potential response in spinal muscular atrophy type 1 patients with severe impairment of motor function. Brain Dev 2024; 46:149-153. [PMID: 38103972 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2023.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most long-term affected spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type 1 patients have severe impairment of motor function and are dependent on mechanical ventilation with tracheostomy. The efficacy and safety of nusinersen in these patients have not been established. METHODS We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of intrathecal nusinersen treatment in patients with SMA type 1 who continued treatment for at least 12 months. There were three patients enrolled in our study (3, 4 and 16 years of age) who had severe impairment of gross motor function without head control or the ability to roll over. All three needed mechanical ventilation with tracheostomy and tube feeding. Motor function was assessed using the Children s Hospital of Philadelphia infant test of neuromuscular disorders (CHOP-INTEND) and the caregivers' evaluations. Concurrently, we examined nerve conduction longitudinally and compared compound motor action potential (CMAP) amplitudes. RESULTS All patients continued nusinersen administration without significant adverse events for more than three years. While CHOP-INTEND scores did not remarkably increase, according to the caregivers, all three patients had improved finger or facial muscle movements that enabled them to make their intentions understood. Some CMAPs before treatment were not identified but became traces after nusinersen administration. CONCLUSIONS The improvement in motor function that leads to smoother communication could be a basis for continuing nusinersen treatment. Currently available motor function scorings are not efficient for assessing therapeutic interventions in SMA patients with medical care complexity. Longitudinal nerve conduction studies could be an objective indicator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Ueda
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
| | - Kiyoshi Egawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Kawamura
- Toseikai Healthcare Corporation, Life-Long Care Clinic for Disabled People, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Noriki Ochi
- Division of Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takeru Goto
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Shuhei Kimura
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Masashi Narugami
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Sachiko Nakakubo
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Midori Nakajima
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Manabe
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Hideaki Shiraishi
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan
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Fernandes BD, D'Athayde Rodrigues F, Cardoso Cirilo HN, Borges SS, Krug BC, Probst LF, Zimmermann I. Cost-Effectiveness of Onasemnogene Abeparvovec Compared With Nusinersen and Risdiplam in Patients With Spinal Muscular Atrophy Type 1 in Brazil: Custo-Efetividade do Onasemnogeno Abeparvoveque (AVXS-101) em Comparação ao Nusinersena e Risdiplam em Pacientes com Atrofia Muscular Espinhal Tipo 1 no Brasil. Value Health Reg Issues 2024; 40:108-117. [PMID: 38181723 DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2023.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the onasemnogene abeparvovec in relation to nusinersen and risdiplam in the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy type 1 from the perspective of the Brazilian Unified Health System. METHODS A Markov model was built on a lifetime horizon. Short-term data were obtained from clinical trials of the technologies and from published cohort survival curves (long term). Costs were measured in current 2022 local currency (R$) values and benefits in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Utility values were derived from type 1 spinal muscular atrophy literature, whereas costs related to technologies and maintenance care in each health state were obtained from official sources of reimbursement in Brazil. Deterministic and probabilistic, as well as scenario, sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS Compared with the less costly strategy (nusinersen), the use of onasemnogene abeparvovec resulted in an incremental cost of R$2.468.448,06 ($975 671.169 - purchasing power parity [PPP]) and a 3-QALY increment and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of R$742.890,92 ($293 632.774 - PPP)/QALY. Risdiplam had an extended dominance from other strategies, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of R$926.586,22 ($366 239.612 - PPP)/QALY compared with nusinersen. Sensitivity analysis showed a significant impact of the follow-up time of the cohort and the cost of acquiring onasemnogene abeparvovec. CONCLUSIONS Over a lifetime horizon, onasemnogene abeparvovec seems to be a potentially more effective option than nusinersen and risdiplam, albeit with an incremental cost. Such a trade-off should be weighed in efficiency criteria during decision making and outcome monitoring from the perspective of the Brazilian Unified Health System.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brígida Dias Fernandes
- Unidade de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | | | - Hérica Núbia Cardoso Cirilo
- Núcleo de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Goiás/Ebserh, Goiânia - GO
| | - Stéfani Sousa Borges
- Unidade de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - Bárbara Corrêa Krug
- Secretaria Estadual da Saúde do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS - Brasil
| | - Livia Fernandes Probst
- Unidade de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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Van Daele SH, Masrori P, Van Damme P, Van Den Bosch L. The sense of antisense therapies in ALS. Trends Mol Med 2024; 30:252-262. [PMID: 38216448 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
Treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has entered a new era now that encouraging results about antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are becoming available and a first ASO therapy for ALS has been approved by the FDA. Moreover, there is hope not only that ALS can be stopped but also that symptoms can be reversed. Until now, degrading ASOs seemed to be successful mostly for rarer forms of familial ALS. However, the first attempts to correct mis-splicing events in sporadic ALS are underway, as well as a clinical trial examining interference with a genetic modifier. In this review, we discuss the current status of using ASOs in ALS and the possibilities and pitfalls of this therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sien H Van Daele
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Human Genetics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pegah Masrori
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philip Van Damme
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Ludo Van Den Bosch
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Neurobiology, VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium.
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Şimşek Erdem N, Güneş Gencer GY, Alaamel A, Uysal H. Effect of nusinersen treatment on quality of life and motor function in adult patients with spinal muscular atrophy. Neuromuscul Disord 2024; 36:28-32. [PMID: 38310720 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2024.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the effect of 4 loading doses of nusinersen on motor function and quality of life (QoL) in adult patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Twenty-one adult patients with genetically confirmed SMA who were treated with 4 loading doses of nusinersen were included in this study. All patients were evaluated with the Medical Research Council (MRC) scale, the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE), and the Short Form Survey-36 (SF-36) at baseline (V1) and before the first nusinersen maintenance treatment, which was at the 15th month of treatment (V2). The SF-36 score was compared between the patients and 35 age-matched healthy controls. Of the twenty-one patients with a median age of 36 years, 10 were nonambulatory, and 11 were ambulatory. The physical component score and the mental component score of the SF-36 were significantly lower in the SMA patient group at baseline than in the healthy group. The median HFMSE scores significantly improved at V2 in both ambulatory and nonambulatory SMA patients (p < 0.05). The median MRC score significantly increased at V2 in the ambulatory SMA patient group (p = 0.04) but not in the nonambulatory SMA patient group (p = 0.19). There was a significant improvement in physical QoL in all the SMA patients at V2 (p = 0.02), but there was no significant improvement in mental QoL (p = 0.15). The loading nusinersen treatment significantly improved motor function scores, muscle strength, and physical QoL.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Abir Alaamel
- Akdeniz University Hospital Department of Neurology, Türkiye
| | - Hilmi Uysal
- Akdeniz University Hospital Department of Neurology, Türkiye
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Zerr I, Ladogana A, Mead S, Hermann P, Forloni G, Appleby BS. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and other prion diseases. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2024; 10:14. [PMID: 38424082 DOI: 10.1038/s41572-024-00497-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Prion diseases share common clinical and pathological characteristics such as spongiform neuronal degeneration and deposition of an abnormal form of a host-derived protein, termed prion protein. The characteristic features of prion diseases are long incubation times, short clinical courses, extreme resistance of the transmissible agent to degradation and lack of nucleic acid involvement. Sporadic and genetic forms of prion diseases occur worldwide, of which genetic forms are associated with mutations in PRNP. Human to human transmission of these diseases has occurred due to iatrogenic exposure, and zoonotic forms of prion diseases are linked to bovine disease. Significant progress has been made in the diagnosis of these disorders. Clinical tools for diagnosis comprise brain imaging and cerebrospinal fluid tests. Aggregation assays for detection of the abnormally folded prion protein have a clear potential to diagnose the disease in peripherally accessible biofluids. After decades of therapeutic nihilism, new treatment strategies and clinical trials are on the horizon. Although prion diseases are relatively rare disorders, understanding their pathogenesis and mechanisms of prion protein misfolding has significantly enhanced the field in research of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Zerr
- National Reference Center for CJD Surveillance, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Anna Ladogana
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Simon Mead
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, Institute of Prion Diseases, London, UK
| | - Peter Hermann
- National Reference Center for CJD Surveillance, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gianluigi Forloni
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Brian S Appleby
- Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry and Pathology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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71
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Vidovic M, Menschikowski M, Freigang M, Lapp HS, Günther R. Macrophage inclusions in cerebrospinal fluid following treatment initiation with antisense oligonucleotide therapies in motor neuron diseases. Neurol Res Pract 2024; 6:11. [PMID: 38383503 PMCID: PMC10882918 DOI: 10.1186/s42466-023-00305-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
5q-associated spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are two distinct neurological disorders leading to degeneration of lower motor neurons. The antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) nusinersen and tofersen are novel disease-modifying agents for these diseases, respectively. In the context of ASO treatment, the cytological characteristics and composition of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have recently garnered particular interest. This report presents a case series of CSF cytology findings in two patients with SMA and ALS revealing comparable unspecified macrophage inclusions following treatment initiation with nusinersen and tofersen. Yet, the presence of these "asophages" in the treatment course of two different ASOs is of unclear significance. While both treatments have been well tolerated, this phenomenon warrants attention, given the long-term nature of these treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Vidovic
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Mario Menschikowski
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Maren Freigang
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Hanna Sophie Lapp
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
| | - René Günther
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Tatzberg 41, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
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Hoolachan JM, McCallion E, Sutton ER, Çetin Ö, Pacheco-Torres P, Dimitriadi M, Sari S, Miller GJ, Okoh M, Walter LM, Claus P, Wood MJA, Tonge DP, Bowerman M. A transcriptomics-based drug repositioning approach to identify drugs with similar activities for the treatment of muscle pathologies in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) models. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:400-425. [PMID: 37947217 PMCID: PMC10877467 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddad192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic neuromuscular disorder caused by the reduction of survival of motor neuron (SMN) protein levels. Although three SMN-augmentation therapies are clinically approved that significantly slow down disease progression, they are unfortunately not cures. Thus, complementary SMN-independent therapies that can target key SMA pathologies and that can support the clinically approved SMN-dependent drugs are the forefront of therapeutic development. We have previously demonstrated that prednisolone, a synthetic glucocorticoid (GC) improved muscle health and survival in severe Smn-/-;SMN2 and intermediate Smn2B/- SMA mice. However, long-term administration of prednisolone can promote myopathy. We thus wanted to identify genes and pathways targeted by prednisolone in skeletal muscle to discover clinically approved drugs that are predicted to emulate prednisolone's activities. Using an RNA-sequencing, bioinformatics, and drug repositioning pipeline on skeletal muscle from symptomatic prednisolone-treated and untreated Smn-/-; SMN2 SMA and Smn+/-; SMN2 healthy mice, we identified molecular targets linked to prednisolone's ameliorative effects and a list of 580 drug candidates with similar predicted activities. Two of these candidates, metformin and oxandrolone, were further investigated in SMA cellular and animal models, which highlighted that these compounds do not have the same ameliorative effects on SMA phenotypes as prednisolone; however, a number of other important drug targets remain. Overall, our work further supports the usefulness of prednisolone's potential as a second-generation therapy for SMA, identifies a list of potential SMA drug treatments and highlights improvements for future transcriptomic-based drug repositioning studies in SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Hoolachan
- School of Medicine, David Weatherall Building, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, United Kingdom
| | - Eve McCallion
- School of Medicine, David Weatherall Building, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, United Kingdom
| | - Emma R Sutton
- School of Medicine, David Weatherall Building, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, United Kingdom
| | - Özge Çetin
- School of Medicine, David Weatherall Building, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, United Kingdom
| | - Paloma Pacheco-Torres
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL910 9AB, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Dimitriadi
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL910 9AB, United Kingdom
| | - Suat Sari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Hacettepe University, Ankara, 06100, Turkey
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Lennard-Jones Building, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin J Miller
- School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Lennard-Jones Building, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, United Kingdom
- Centre for Glycoscience, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, United Kingdom
| | - Magnus Okoh
- School of Medicine, David Weatherall Building, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa M Walter
- SMATHERIA gGmbH – Non-Profit Biomedical Research Institute, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 31, 30625, Hannover, Germany
- Centre of Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hannover Medical School, Bünteweg 2, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Peter Claus
- SMATHERIA gGmbH – Non-Profit Biomedical Research Institute, Feodor-Lynen-Straße 31, 30625, Hannover, Germany
- Centre of Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Hannover Medical School, Bünteweg 2, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Matthew J A Wood
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Level 2, Children's Hospital, John Radcliffe, Headington Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel P Tonge
- School of Life Sciences, Huxley Building, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, United Kingdom
| | - Melissa Bowerman
- School of Medicine, David Weatherall Building, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, United Kingdom
- Wolfson Centre for Inherited Neuromuscular Disease, RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital, Oswestry, SY10 7AG, United Kingdom
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Shi Y, Zhen X, Zhang Y, Li Y, Koo S, Saiding Q, Kong N, Liu G, Chen W, Tao W. Chemically Modified Platforms for Better RNA Therapeutics. Chem Rev 2024; 124:929-1033. [PMID: 38284616 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
RNA-based therapies have catalyzed a revolutionary transformation in the biomedical landscape, offering unprecedented potential in disease prevention and treatment. However, despite their remarkable achievements, these therapies encounter substantial challenges including low stability, susceptibility to degradation by nucleases, and a prominent negative charge, thereby hindering further development. Chemically modified platforms have emerged as a strategic innovation, focusing on precise alterations either on the RNA moieties or their associated delivery vectors. This comprehensive review delves into these platforms, underscoring their significance in augmenting the performance and translational prospects of RNA-based therapeutics. It encompasses an in-depth analysis of various chemically modified delivery platforms that have been instrumental in propelling RNA therapeutics toward clinical utility. Moreover, the review scrutinizes the rationale behind diverse chemical modification techniques aiming at optimizing the therapeutic efficacy of RNA molecules, thereby facilitating robust disease management. Recent empirical studies corroborating the efficacy enhancement of RNA therapeutics through chemical modifications are highlighted. Conclusively, we offer profound insights into the transformative impact of chemical modifications on RNA drugs and delineates prospective trajectories for their future development and clinical integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yesi Shi
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xueyan Zhen
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Yiming Zhang
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Yongjiang Li
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Seyoung Koo
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Qimanguli Saiding
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
| | - Na Kong
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Liangzhu Laboratory, Zhejiang University Medical Center, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Gang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, Center for Molecular Imaging and Translational Medicine, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Wei Tao
- Center for Nanomedicine and Department of Anesthesiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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74
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Pilotto F, Del Bondio A, Puccio H. Hereditary Ataxias: From Bench to Clinic, Where Do We Stand? Cells 2024; 13:319. [PMID: 38391932 PMCID: PMC10886822 DOI: 10.3390/cells13040319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Cerebellar ataxias are a wide heterogeneous group of movement disorders. Within this broad umbrella of diseases, there are both genetics and sporadic forms. The clinical presentation of these conditions can exhibit a diverse range of symptoms across different age groups, spanning from pure cerebellar manifestations to sensory ataxia and multisystemic diseases. Over the last few decades, advancements in our understanding of genetics and molecular pathophysiology related to both dominant and recessive ataxias have propelled the field forward, paving the way for innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing and arresting the progression of these diseases. Nevertheless, the rarity of certain forms of ataxia continues to pose challenges, leading to limited insights into the etiology of the disease and the identification of target pathways. Additionally, the lack of suitable models hampers efforts to comprehensively understand the molecular foundations of disease's pathophysiology and test novel therapeutic interventions. In the following review, we describe the epidemiology, symptomatology, and pathological progression of hereditary ataxia, including both the prevalent and less common forms of these diseases. Furthermore, we illustrate the diverse molecular pathways and therapeutic approaches currently undergoing investigation in both pre-clinical studies and clinical trials. Finally, we address the existing and anticipated challenges within this field, encompassing both basic research and clinical endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Pilotto
- Institut Neuromyogène, Pathophysiology and Genetics of Neuron and Muscle, Inserm U1315, CNRS-Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 UMR5261, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Andrea Del Bondio
- Institut Neuromyogène, Pathophysiology and Genetics of Neuron and Muscle, Inserm U1315, CNRS-Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 UMR5261, 69008 Lyon, France
| | - Hélène Puccio
- Institut Neuromyogène, Pathophysiology and Genetics of Neuron and Muscle, Inserm U1315, CNRS-Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 UMR5261, 69008 Lyon, France
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75
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Gonzalez D, Vásquez-Doorman C, Luna A, Allende ML. Modeling Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Zebrafish: Current Advances and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1962. [PMID: 38396640 PMCID: PMC10888324 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25041962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease characterized by degeneration of lower motor neurons (LMNs), causing muscle weakness, atrophy, and paralysis. SMA is caused by mutations in the Survival Motor Neuron 1 (SMN1) gene and can be classified into four subgroups, depending on its severity. Even though the genetic component of SMA is well known, the precise mechanisms underlying its pathophysiology remain elusive. Thus far, there are three FDA-approved drugs for treating SMA. While these treatments have shown promising results, their costs are extremely high and unaffordable for most patients. Thus, more efforts are needed in order to identify novel therapeutic targets. In this context, zebrafish (Danio rerio) stands out as an ideal animal model for investigating neurodegenerative diseases like SMA. Its well-defined motor neuron circuits and straightforward neuromuscular structure offer distinct advantages. The zebrafish's suitability arises from its low-cost genetic manipulation and optical transparency exhibited during larval stages, which facilitates in vivo microscopy. This review explores advancements in SMA research over the past two decades, beginning with the creation of the first zebrafish model. Our review focuses on the findings using different SMA zebrafish models generated to date, including potential therapeutic targets such as U snRNPs, Etv5b, PLS3, CORO1C, Pgrn, Cpg15, Uba1, Necdin, and Pgk1, among others. Lastly, we conclude our review by emphasizing the future perspectives in the field, namely exploiting zebrafish capacity for high-throughput screening. Zebrafish, with its unique attributes, proves to be an ideal model for studying motor neuron diseases and unraveling the complexity of neuromuscular defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Gonzalez
- Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 7800003, RM, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago 8370854, RM, Chile
| | - Constanza Vásquez-Doorman
- Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 7800003, RM, Chile
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago 8370854, RM, Chile
| | - Adolfo Luna
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago 8370854, RM, Chile
| | - Miguel L Allende
- Millennium Institute Center for Genome Regulation, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 7800003, RM, Chile
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Alves CRR, Ha LL, Yaworski R, Sutton ER, Lazzarotto CR, Christie KA, Reilly A, Beauvais A, Doll RM, de la Cruz D, Maguire CA, Swoboda KJ, Tsai SQ, Kothary R, Kleinstiver BP. Optimization of base editors for the functional correction of SMN2 as a treatment for spinal muscular atrophy. Nat Biomed Eng 2024; 8:118-131. [PMID: 38057426 PMCID: PMC10922509 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01132-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by mutations in SMN1. SMN2 is a paralogous gene with a C•G-to-T•A transition in exon 7, which causes this exon to be skipped in most SMN2 transcripts, and results in low levels of the protein survival motor neuron (SMN). Here we show, in fibroblasts derived from patients with SMA and in a mouse model of SMA that, irrespective of the mutations in SMN1, adenosine base editors can be optimized to target the SMN2 exon-7 mutation or nearby regulatory elements to restore the normal expression of SMN. After optimizing and testing more than 100 guide RNAs and base editors, and leveraging Cas9 variants with high editing fidelity that are tolerant of different protospacer-adjacent motifs, we achieved the reversion of the exon-7 mutation via an A•T-to-G•C edit in up to 99% of fibroblasts, with concomitant increases in the levels of the SMN2 exon-7 transcript and of SMN. Targeting the SMN2 exon-7 mutation via base editing or other CRISPR-based methods may provide long-lasting outcomes to patients with SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiano R R Alves
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Leillani L Ha
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca Yaworski
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Emma R Sutton
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Cicera R Lazzarotto
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Kathleen A Christie
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aoife Reilly
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ariane Beauvais
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Roman M Doll
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Molecular Biosciences/Cancer Biology Program, Heidelberg University and German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Demitri de la Cruz
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Casey A Maguire
- Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn J Swoboda
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shengdar Q Tsai
- Department of Hematology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Rashmi Kothary
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Benjamin P Kleinstiver
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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77
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Audic F, Dubois SM, Durigneux J, Barnerias C, Isapof A, Nougues MC, Davion JB, Richelme C, Vuillerot C, Legoff L, Sabouraud P, Cances C, Laugel V, Ropars J, Espil-Taris C, Trommsdorff V, Pervillé A, Garcia-de-la-Banda MG, Testard H, Chouchane M, Walther-Louvier U, Schweizer C, Halbert C, Badri M, Quijano-Roy S, Chabrol B, Desguerre I. Effect of nusinersen after 3 years of treatment in 57 young children with SMA in terms of SMN2 copy number or type. Arch Pediatr 2024; 31:117-123. [PMID: 38135619 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcped.2023.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic neuromuscular disorder due to an autosomal recessive mutation in the survival motor neuron 1 gene (SMN1), causing degeneration of the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord and resulting in muscle atrophy. This study aimed to report on the 36-month follow-up of children with SMA treated with nusinersen before the age of 3 years. Changes in motor function, nutritional and ventilatory support, and orthopedic outcomes were evaluated at baseline and 36 months after intrathecal administration of nusinersen and correlated with SMA type and SMN2 copy number. RESULTS We found that 93% of the patients gained new motor skills during the 3 years-standing without help for 12 of 37 and walking with help for 11 of 37 patients harboring three SMN2 copies. No patients with two copies of SMN2 can stand alone or walk. Patients bearing three copies of SMN2 are more likely to be spared from respiratory, nutritional, and orthopedic complications than patients with two SMN2 copies. CONCLUSION Children with SMA treated with nusinersen continue to make motor acquisitions at 3 years after initiation of treatment. Children with two SMN2 copies had worse motor, respiratory, and orthopedic outcomes after 3 years of treatment than children with three copies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédérique Audic
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires de l'enfant PACARARE, Service de Neuropédiatrie, Hôpital Timone Enfants, 264 rue Saint Pierre, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France.
| | - Sonia M Dubois
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires de l'enfant PACARARE, Service de Neuropédiatrie, Hôpital Timone Enfants, 264 rue Saint Pierre, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Julien Durigneux
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires AOC, CHU d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - Christine Barnerias
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Ile de France/Est, Service de Neurologie pédiatrique, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Arnaud Isapof
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Ile de France/Est, Service de Neuropédiatrie, Hôpital Trousseau, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Christine Nougues
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Ile de France/Est, Service de Neuropédiatrie, Hôpital Trousseau, APHP, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Davion
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Ile de France/Est, Service de Neuropédiatrie, Hôpital Salengro CHU Lille, Lille, France
| | - Christian Richelme
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires PACARARE, Hôpitaux Pédiatriques de Nice CHU - Lenval, Nice, France
| | - Carole Vuillerot
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires de l'enfant PACARARE, Service de MPR pédiatrique L'Escale Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Laure Legoff
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires de l'enfant PACARARE, Service de MPR pédiatrique L'Escale Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - Pascal Sabouraud
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Ile de France/Est, Site Reims enfant AMH, CHU Reims, Reims, France
| | - Claude Cances
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires AOC, Unité de Neurologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital des Enfants CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Vincent Laugel
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Ile de France/Est, Pédiatrie médico-chirurgicale, CHU de Strasbourg - Hôpital de Hautepierre, Strasbourg, France
| | - Juliette Ropars
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires AOC, Service de Pédiatrie, CHRU de Brest, Brest, France
| | - Caroline Espil-Taris
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires AOC, Unité de Neurologie pédiatrique, CHU Pellegrin, Bordeaux, France
| | - Valérie Trommsdorff
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires PACARARE, Service de Pédiatrie, CHU La Réunion, Saint-Pierre, France
| | - Anne Pervillé
- Centre de Compétence des Maladies Neuromusculaires PACARARE, Service de Pédiatrie, CHU La Réunion, Saint-Denis, France
| | - Marta Gomez Garcia-de-la-Banda
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Ile de France/Est, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, APHP, Garches, France
| | - Hervé Testard
- Centre de Compétence des Maladies Neuromusculaires PACARARE, Neuropédiatrie, Clinique Universitaire Pédiatrique, Hôpital Couple Enfant - CHU Grenoble, Grenoble, France
| | - Mondher Chouchane
- Centre de Compétence des Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Ile de France/Est, Service de pédiatrie 1, Hôpital d'Enfants, CHU Dijon Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Ulrike Walther-Louvier
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires AOC, Service de Neuropédiatrie CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Cyril Schweizer
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Ile de France/Est, CHRU de Nancy, Hôpital d'Enfants, Vandoeuvre-Lès, Nancy, France
| | - Cécile Halbert
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires de l'enfant PACARARE, Service de Neuropédiatrie, Hôpital Timone Enfants, 264 rue Saint Pierre, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Myriam Badri
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires de l'enfant PACARARE, Service de Neuropédiatrie, Hôpital Timone Enfants, 264 rue Saint Pierre, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Susana Quijano-Roy
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Ile de France/Est, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, APHP, Garches, France
| | - Brigitte Chabrol
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires de l'enfant PACARARE, Service de Neuropédiatrie, Hôpital Timone Enfants, 264 rue Saint Pierre, 13385, Marseille Cedex 5, France
| | - Isabelle Desguerre
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Ile de France/Est, Service de Neurologie pédiatrique, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, APHP, Paris, France
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Portell A, Mali P. Mutation corrections in spinal muscular atrophy. Nat Biomed Eng 2024; 8:111-113. [PMID: 38129656 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01166-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Portell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Prashant Mali
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Yeo CJJ, Tizzano EF, Darras BT. Challenges and opportunities in spinal muscular atrophy therapeutics. Lancet Neurol 2024; 23:205-218. [PMID: 38267192 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(23)00419-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy was the most common inherited cause of infant death until 2016, when three therapies became available: the antisense oligonucleotide nusinersen, gene replacement therapy with onasemnogene abeparvovec, and the small-molecule splicing modifier risdiplam. These drugs compensate for deficient survival motor neuron protein and have improved lifespan and quality of life in infants and children with spinal muscular atrophy. Given the lifelong implications of these innovative therapies, ways to detect and manage treatment-modified disease characteristics are needed. All three drugs are more effective when given before development of symptoms, or as early as possible in individuals who have already developed symptoms. Early subtle symptoms might be missed, and disease onset might occur in utero in severe spinal muscular atrophy subtypes; in some countries, newborn screening is allowing diagnosis soon after birth and early treatment. Adults with spinal muscular atrophy report stabilisation of disease and less fatigue with treatment. These subjective benefits need to be weighed against the high costs of the drugs to patients and health-care systems. Clinical consensus is required on therapeutic windows and on outcome measures and biomarkers that can be used to monitor drug benefit, toxicity, and treatment-modified disease characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal J J Yeo
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA; School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK; Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore; National Neuroscience Institute, Tan Tock Seng and Singapore General Hospital, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Eduardo F Tizzano
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Genetics, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain; Genetics Medicine, Vall d'Hebron Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Basil T Darras
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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80
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Armengol VD, Darras BT, Abulaban AA, Alshehri A, Barisic N, Ben-Omran T, Bernert G, Castiglioni C, Chien YH, Farrar MA, Kandawasvika G, Khadilkar S, Mah J, Marini-Bettolo C, Osredkar D, Pfeffer G, Piazzon FB, Pitarch Castellano I, Quijano-Roy S, Saito K, Shin JH, Vázquez-Costa JF, Walter MC, Wanigasinghe J, Xiong H, Griggs RC, Roy B. Life-Saving Treatments for Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Global Access and Availability. Neurol Clin Pract 2024; 14:e200224. [PMID: 38107546 PMCID: PMC10723640 DOI: 10.1212/cpj.0000000000200224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disorder manifesting with progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. SMA type 1 used to be fatal within the first 2 years of life, but is now treatable with therapies targeting splicing modification and gene replacement. Nusinersen, risdiplam, and onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi improve survival, motor strength, endurance, and ability to thrive, allowing many patients to potentially attain a normal life; all have been recently approved by major regulatory agencies. Although these therapies have revolutionized the world of SMA, they are associated with a high economic burden, and access to these therapies is limited in some countries. The primary objective of this study was to compare the availability and implementation of treatment of SMA from different regions of the world. Methods In this qualitative study, we surveyed health care providers from 21 countries regarding their experiences caring for patients with SMA. The main outcome measures were provider survey responses on newborn screening, drug availability/access, barriers to treatment, and related questions. Results Twenty-four providers from 21 countries with decades of experience (mean 26 years) in treating patients with SMA responded to the survey. Nusinersen was the most available therapy for SMA. Our survey showed that while genetic testing is usually available, newborn screening is still unavailable in many countries. The provider-reported treatment cost also varied between countries, and economic burden was a major barrier in treating patients with SMA. Discussion Overall, this survey highlights the global inequality in managing patients with SMA. The spread of newborn screening is essential in ensuring improved access to care for patients with SMA. With the advancement of neurotherapeutics, more genetic diseases will soon be treatable, and addressing the global inequality in clinical care will require novel approaches to mitigate such inequality in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor D Armengol
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Basil T Darras
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Ahmad A Abulaban
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Ali Alshehri
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Nina Barisic
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Tawfeg Ben-Omran
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Guenther Bernert
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Claudia Castiglioni
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Yin-Hsiu Chien
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Michelle A Farrar
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Gwendoline Kandawasvika
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Satish Khadilkar
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Jean Mah
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Chiara Marini-Bettolo
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Damjan Osredkar
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Gerald Pfeffer
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Flavia B Piazzon
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Inmaculada Pitarch Castellano
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Susana Quijano-Roy
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Kayoko Saito
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Jin-Hong Shin
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Juan F Vázquez-Costa
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Maggie C Walter
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Jithangi Wanigasinghe
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Hui Xiong
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Robert C Griggs
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
| | - Bhaskar Roy
- Department of Neurology (VDA, BR), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT; Department of Neurology (BTD), Boston Children's Hospital, MA; Department of Medicine (AAA), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences; Neuromuscular Integrated Practice Unit (AA), Neuroscience Center, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Pediatrics (NB), University of Zagreb Medical School, Croatia; Genetics and Genomic Medicine Division (TB-O), Sidra Medicine and Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Department of Pediatrics (GB), Klinik Favoriten, Vienna, Austria; Department of Pediatrics (CC), Clínica Meds, Santiago, Chile; Department of Medical Genetics and Pediatrics (Y-HC), National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei; Department of Neurology (MAF), Sydney Children's Hospital Network, New South Wales, Australia; Department of Paediatrics and Child Health (GK), College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare; Department of Neurology (SK), Bombay Hospital, India; Department of Pediatrics (JM), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre (CM-B), Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom; Department of Child (DO), Adolescent, and Developmental Neurology, Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slovenia; Department of Medical Genetics (GP), University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine, Alberta, Canada; Neurometabolic Unit (FBP), University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Pediatrics (IPC), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain; Child Neurology and ICU Department (SQ-R), Raymond Poincaré University Hospital (UVSQ), Garche, France; Institute of Medical Genetics (KS), Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan; Department of Neurology (J-HS), Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, South Korea; Neuromuscular Unit (JFV-C), Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain; Friedrich-Baur-Institute (MCW), Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Germany; Department of Paediatrics (JW), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka; Department of Pediatrics (HX), Peking University First Hospital, China; and Department of Neurology (RCG), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY
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Awad S, Skipper W, Vostrejs W, Ozorowski K, Min K, Pfuhler L, Mehta D, Cooke A. The YBX3 RNA-binding protein posttranscriptionally controls SLC1A5 mRNA in proliferating and differentiating skeletal muscle cells. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105602. [PMID: 38159852 PMCID: PMC10837625 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
In humans, skeletal muscles comprise nearly 40% of total body mass, which is maintained throughout adulthood by a balance of muscle protein synthesis and breakdown. Cellular amino acid (AA) levels are critical for these processes, and mammalian cells contain transporter proteins that import AAs to maintain homeostasis. Until recently, the control of transporter regulation has largely been studied at the transcriptional and posttranslational levels. However, here, we report that the RNA-binding protein YBX3 is critical to sustain intracellular AAs in mouse skeletal muscle cells, which aligns with our recent findings in human cells. We find that YBX3 directly binds the solute carrier (SLC)1A5 AA transporter messenger (m)RNA to posttranscriptionally control SLC1A5 expression during skeletal muscle cell differentiation. YBX3 regulation of SLC1A5 requires the 3' UTR. Additionally, intracellular AAs transported by SLC1A5, either directly or indirectly through coupling to other transporters, are specifically reduced when YBX3 is depleted. Further, we find that reduction of the YBX3 protein reduces proliferation and impairs differentiation in skeletal muscle cells, and that YBX3 and SLC1A5 protein expression increase substantially during skeletal muscle differentiation, independently of their respective mRNA levels. Taken together, our findings suggest that YBX3 regulates AA transport in skeletal muscle cells, and that its expression is critical to maintain skeletal muscle cell proliferation and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silina Awad
- Biology Department, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - William Skipper
- Biology Department, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - William Vostrejs
- Biology Department, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Kristen Min
- Biology Department, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Liva Pfuhler
- Biology Department, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Darshan Mehta
- Biology Department, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amy Cooke
- Biology Department, Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania, USA.
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Metz T, Welling MM, Suidgeest E, Nieuwenhuize E, de Vlaam T, Curtis D, Hailu TT, van der Weerd L, van Roon-Mom WMC. Biodistribution of Radioactively Labeled Splice Modulating Antisense Oligonucleotides After Intracerebroventricular and Intrathecal Injection in Mice. Nucleic Acid Ther 2024; 34:26-34. [PMID: 38386285 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2023.0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) are promising therapeutic candidates, especially for neurological diseases. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection is the predominant route of administration in mouse studies, while in clinical trials, intrathecal (IT) administration is mostly used. There is little knowledge on the differences in distribution of these injection methods within the same species over time. In this study, we compared the distribution of splice-switching AONs targeting exon 15 of amyloid precursor protein pre-mRNA injected via the ICV and IT route in mice. The AON was labeled with radioactive indium-111 and mice were imaged using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) 0, 4, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h after injection. In vivo SPECT imaging showed 111In-AON activity diffused throughout the central nervous system (CNS) in the first hours after injection. The 111In-AON activity in the CNS persisted over the course of 4 days, while signal in the kidneys rapidly decreased. Postmortem counting in different organs and tissues showed very similar distribution of 111In-AON activity throughout the body, while the signal in the different brain regions was higher with ICV injection. Overall, IT and ICV injection have very similar distribution patterns in the mouse, but ICV injection is much more effective in reaching the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Metz
- Department of Human Genetics,Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Mick M Welling
- Interventional Molecular Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ernst Suidgeest
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Esmée Nieuwenhuize
- Department of Human Genetics,Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Louise van der Weerd
- Department of Human Genetics,Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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83
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Fontanelli L, Di Rauso G, Bellini G. Spinal muscular atrophy: Should we prescribe approved drugs to cohorts of patients in which they are unproven? Eur J Neurol 2024; 31:e16103. [PMID: 37877676 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Fontanelli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Giulia Di Rauso
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Gabriele Bellini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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84
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Ha Thi HT, Than VT. Recent applications of RNA therapeutic in clinics. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2024; 203:115-150. [PMID: 38359994 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) therapy has been extensively researched for several decades and has garnered significant attention in recent years owing to its potential in treating a broad spectrum of diseases. It falls under the domain of gene therapy, leveraging RNA molecules as a therapeutic approach in medicine. RNA can be targeted using small-molecule drugs, or RNA molecules themselves can serve as drugs by interacting with proteins or other RNA molecules. While several RNA drugs have been granted clinical approval, numerous RNA-based therapeutics are presently undergoing clinical investigation or testing for various conditions, including genetic disorders, viral infections, and diverse forms of cancer. These therapies offer several advantages, such as high specificity, enabling precise targeting of disease-related genes or proteins, cost-effectiveness, and a relatively straightforward manufacturing process. Nevertheless, successful translation of RNA therapies into widespread clinical use necessitates addressing challenges related to delivery, stability, and potential off-target effects. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the general concepts of various classes of RNA-based therapeutics, the mechanistic basis of their function, as well as recent applications of RNA therapeutic in clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huyen Trang Ha Thi
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Van Thai Than
- Faculty of Applied Sciences, International School, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam; Center for Biomedicine and Community Health, International School, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
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85
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Hofman CR, Corey DR. Targeting RNA with synthetic oligonucleotides: Clinical success invites new challenges. Cell Chem Biol 2024; 31:125-138. [PMID: 37804835 PMCID: PMC10841528 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2023.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and duplex RNAs (dsRNAs) are an increasingly successful strategy for drug development. After a slow start, the pace of success has accelerated since the approval of Spinraza (nusinersen) in 2016 with several drug approvals. These accomplishments have been achieved even though oligonucleotides are large, negatively charged, and have little resemblance to traditional small-molecule drugs-a remarkable achievement of basic and applied science. The goal of this review is to summarize the foundation underlying recent progress and describe ongoing research programs that may increase the scope and impact of oligonucleotide therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina R Hofman
- The Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Road, Dallas, TX 75390-9041, USA
| | - David R Corey
- The Departments of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Road, Dallas, TX 75390-9041, USA.
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86
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Eichten C, Kuhl A, Baker M, Kwon JM, Seroogy CM, Williams KB. Development and assessment of educational materials for spinal muscular atrophy carrier screening in the Plain community. J Genet Couns 2024. [PMID: 38197741 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) has been reported in both Amish and Mennonite (Plain) communities, and a higher incidence has been observed in certain Mennonite communities compared to the general population. There are several therapies for SMA, but all are most effective in pre-symptomatic newborns. To identify couples from the Wisconsin Plain community who are most likely to have a child with SMA, carrier screening is offered via mailed kits with at-home specimen collection. Our survey data about Plain families' perspectives on genetic testing suggest educational materials are needed for individuals providing informed consent with at-home specimen collection. We therefore developed a Plain population-specific educational trifold brochure about SMA carrier screening by incorporating existing medical education strategies and feedback from Plain community members and their health care providers. Along with the brochure, surveys were included in the kits to assess baseline knowledge about SMA carrier screening ("pre-education") as well as improvement in knowledge after reviewing the brochure and cultural appropriateness of the brochure ("post-education"). Fifty-five testing kits were distributed, and 26 survey pairs (pre- and post-education) were returned and analyzed (response rate 47%). Respondents had high baseline knowledge with an average of 5 of 7 questions (71%) answered correctly on the pre-education survey. Knowledge improved after reviewing the brochure as the average score increased to 6.5 of 7 questions (93%) answered correctly. Questions about risks of having an affected child after positive or negative carrier screening showed the most improvement from the pre-education to post-education surveys. Most respondents indicated the brochure was helpful, was easy to understand, and contained the right amount of information. Overall, incorporating elements of existing medical education strategies with feedback from the target population and stakeholders about appropriate language seems to be an effective method for creating beneficial, culturally responsive educational materials for the Plain population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly Eichten
- University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Ashley Kuhl
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Mei Baker
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Newborn Screening Laboratory, Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Jennifer M Kwon
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Christine M Seroogy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Katie B Williams
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
- Center for Special Children, La Farge Medical Clinic - Vernon Memorial Healthcare, La Farge, Wisconsin, USA
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87
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Viengkhou B, Hong C, Mazur C, Damle S, Gallo NB, Fang TC, Henry K, Campbell IL, Kamme F, Hofer MJ. Interferon-α receptor antisense oligonucleotides reduce neuroinflammation and neuropathology in a mouse model of cerebral interferonopathy. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e169562. [PMID: 38357922 PMCID: PMC10869178 DOI: 10.1172/jci169562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic and elevated levels of the antiviral cytokine IFN-α in the brain are neurotoxic. This is best observed in patients with genetic cerebral interferonopathies such as Aicardi-Goutières syndrome. Cerebral interferonopathies typically manifest in early childhood and lead to debilitating disease and premature death. There is no cure for these diseases with existing treatments largely aimed at managing symptoms. Thus, an effective therapeutic strategy is urgently needed. Here, we investigated the effect of antisense oligonucleotides targeting the murine IFN-α receptor (Ifnar1 ASOs) in a transgenic mouse model of cerebral interferonopathy. Intracerebroventricular injection of Ifnar1 ASOs into transgenic mice with brain-targeted chronic IFN-α production resulted in a blunted cerebral interferon signature, reduced neuroinflammation, restoration of blood-brain barrier integrity, absence of tissue destruction, and lessened neuronal damage. Remarkably, Ifnar1 ASO treatment was also effective when given after the onset of neuropathological changes, as it reversed such disease-related features. We conclude that ASOs targeting the IFN-α receptor halt and reverse progression of IFN-α-mediated neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity, opening what we believe to be a new and promising approach for the treatment of patients with cerebral interferonopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barney Viengkhou
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Curt Mazur
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, California, USA
| | - Sagar Damle
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, California, USA
| | | | | | - Kate Henry
- Biogen Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Iain L. Campbell
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Markus J. Hofer
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences and the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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88
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Rashid S, Dimitriadi M. Autophagy in spinal muscular atrophy: from pathogenic mechanisms to therapeutic approaches. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 17:1307636. [PMID: 38259504 PMCID: PMC10801191 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1307636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating neuromuscular disorder caused by the depletion of the ubiquitously expressed survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. While the genetic cause of SMA has been well documented, the exact mechanism(s) by which SMN depletion results in disease progression remain elusive. A wide body of evidence has highlighted the involvement and dysregulation of autophagy in SMA. Autophagy is a highly conserved lysosomal degradation process which is necessary for cellular homeostasis; defects in the autophagic machinery have been linked with a wide range of neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The pathway is particularly known to prevent neurodegeneration and has been suggested to act as a neuroprotective factor, thus presenting an attractive target for novel therapies for SMA patients. In this review, (a) we provide for the first time a comprehensive summary of the perturbations in the autophagic networks that characterize SMA development, (b) highlight the autophagic regulators which may play a key role in SMA pathogenesis and (c) propose decreased autophagic flux as the causative agent underlying the autophagic dysregulation observed in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Dimitriadi
- School of Life and Medical Science, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom
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89
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Price TR, Hodgkinson V, Westbury G, Korngut L, Innes MA, Marshall CR, Nelson TN, Huang L, Parboosingh J, Mah JK. A Study on the Incidence and Prevalence of 5q Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Canada Using Multiple Data Sources. Can J Neurol Sci 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38178730 DOI: 10.1017/cjn.2024.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a leading genetic cause of infant death and represents a significant burden of care. An improved understanding of the epidemiology of SMA in Canada may help inform strategies to improve the standard of care for individuals living with SMA. METHODS We employed a multisource approach to estimate the minimal incidence and prevalence of 5q SMA and to gain greater insight into recent clinical practices and treatment trends for the Canadian SMA population. Data sources included the Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program (CPSP), Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry (CNDR), and molecular genetics laboratories in Canada. RESULTS The estimated annual minimum incidence of 5q SMA was 4.38, 3.44, and 7.99 cases per 100,000 live births in 2020 and 2021, based on CPSP, CNDR, and molecular genetics laboratories data, respectively, representing approximately 1 in 21,472 births (range 12,516-29,070) in Canada. SMA prevalence was estimated to be 0.85 per 100,000 persons aged 0-79 years. Delay in diagnosis exists across all SMA subtypes. Most common presenting symptoms were delayed milestones, hypotonia, and muscle weakness. Nusinersen was the most common disease-modifying treatment received. Most patients utilized multidisciplinary clinics for management of SMA. CONCLUSION This study provides data on the annual minimum incidence of pediatric 5q SMA in Canada. Recent therapeutic advances and newborn screening have the potential to drastically alter the natural history of SMA. Findings underline the importance of ongoing surveillance of the epidemiology and long-term health outcomes of SMA in the Canadian population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany R Price
- Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Victoria Hodgkinson
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Grace Westbury
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Lawrence Korngut
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Micheil A Innes
- Departments of Pediatrics and Medical Genetics, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Christian R Marshall
- Division of Genome Diagnostics, Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tanya N Nelson
- Division of Genome Diagnostics, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Lijia Huang
- Department of Genetics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jillian Parboosingh
- Department of Medical Genetics, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jean K Mah
- Department of Pediatrics, Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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90
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Kölbel H, Kopka M, Modler L, Blaschek A, Schara-Schmidt U, Vill K, Schwartz O, Müller-Felber W. Impaired Neurodevelopment in Children with 5q-SMA - 2 Years After Newborn Screening. J Neuromuscul Dis 2024; 11:143-151. [PMID: 37927272 PMCID: PMC10789341 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-230136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Numerous studies have consistently found that reduced SMN protein expression does not severely affect cognitive function in SMA patients. However, the average intelligence quotient of SMA patients has ranged above to below average in different studies. The cognitive development of SMA patients identified through newborn screening remains largely unknown. METHODS 40 of 47 eligible SMA patients (23 females/17 males) from 39 families identified through newborn screening between January 2018 and December 2020 underwent developmental testing using Bayley III (BSID) after the 2 years of age. The mean age was 29.25 months (23-42 months). 17 patients had 2, 11 patients had 3 and 12 patients had ≥4 copies of SMN2. RESULTS cognitive scale: mean 94.55 (SD 24.01); language scale: mean 86.09 (SD 26.41); motor scale: 81.28 (SD 28.07). Overall, the cognitive scales show that 14 children were below average, 20 children were average and 6 children were above average. 10/14 children with below average scores had 2 SMN2 copies. The post-hoc pairwise comparisons showed that the cognition main scale was significantly more sensitive to the number of SMN2 copies than the motor main scale of the BSID (MΔ= 10.27, p = 0.014). There is also evidence that cognition scored higher than the language main scale (MΔ= 7.11, p = 0.090). CONCLUSION The impaired cognitive development of SMA children with 2 SMN2 copies, despite early initiation of therapy, underscores the critical role of the SMN protein in the early stages of brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heike Kölbel
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Centre for Neuromuscular Disorders, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Marius Kopka
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Centre for Neuromuscular Disorders, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Laura Modler
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Centre for Neuromuscular Disorders, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Astrid Blaschek
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Ulrike Schara-Schmidt
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Centre for Neuromuscular Disorders, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Katharina Vill
- Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Dr. v. Hauner Children’s Hospital, LMU – University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Oliver Schwartz
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany
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91
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Ip HNH, Yu MKL, Wong WHS, Liu A, Kwan KYH, Chan SHS. Treatment of Symptomatic Spinal Muscular Atrophy with Nusinersen: A Prospective Longitudinal Study on Scoliosis Progression. J Neuromuscul Dis 2024; 11:349-359. [PMID: 38363614 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-230077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Background Nusinersen treatment has demonstrated efficacy in improving clinical outcomes for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), yet its impact on scoliosis progression remains unclear. Objective This study aimed to assess the progression of scoliosis in pediatric patients with SMA undergoing nusinersen treatment. Methods In this prospective study, data were systematically collected from Hong Kong pediatric SMA patients receiving nusinersen between 2018 and 2023. All patients had longitudinal radiographic studies pre-nusinersen, and at half-yearly or yearly intervals during treatment based on the scoliosis severity. Motor function evaluations were conducted pre-nusinersen, and after starting treatment at 6- and 12-month intervals. Results Twenty-three patients ((SMA type 1 (SMA1) = 8, SMA type 2 (SMA2) = 7, SMA type 3 (SMA3) = 8)) with a median age of 5.8 years (range: 0.4-17.5 years) at nusinersen initiation, and median follow-up duration of 3.4 years (range: 1.1-5.2 years) were included. During the study period, motor scores remained stable or improved in 83% of patients. However, scoliosis progressed across all subtypes, with mean annual progression rates of 5.2, 11.9, and 3.6 degrees in SMA1, SMA2, and SMA3 respectively. Patients initiating nusinersen between ages 5 and 11 years exhibited the most rapid progression, with rates of 11.8, 16.5, and 7.3 degrees per year in SMA1, SMA2, and SMA3 respectively. Positive correlations were observed between the difference in CHOP-INTEND score post-nusinersen and scoliosis progression in SMA1 (rs = 0.741, p = 0.041). Conversely, negative correlations were found between the difference in HFMSE score post-nusinersen and scoliosis progression in SMA2 (rs =-0.890, p = 0.012) and SMA3 (rs =-0.777, p = 0.028). Conclusions This study reveals that nusinersen treatment in symptomatic pediatric SMA patients with motor improvement is linked to increased scoliosis progression in SMA1, whereas it is associated with decreased progression in SMA2 and SMA3. Age, baseline Cobb angle, and motor milestone improvement are influential factors in scoliosis progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoi Ning Hayley Ip
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Michael Kwan Leung Yu
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Wilfred Hing Sang Wong
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Amanda Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Kenny Yat Hong Kwan
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Sophelia Hoi Shan Chan
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
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92
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Otto LA, Froeling M, van Eijk RP, Wadman RI, Cuppen I, van der Woude DR, Bartels B, Asselman FL, Hendrikse J, van der Pol WL. Monitoring Nusinersen Treatment Effects in Children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy with Quantitative Muscle MRI. J Neuromuscul Dis 2024; 11:91-101. [PMID: 38073395 PMCID: PMC10789331 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-221671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is caused by deficiency of survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Intrathecal nusinersen treatment increases SMN protein in motor neurons and has been shown to improve motor function in symptomatic children with SMA. OBJECTIVE We used quantitative MRI to gain insight in microstructure and fat content of muscle during treatment and to explore its use as biomarker for treatment effect. METHODS We used a quantitative MRI protocol before start of treatment and following the 4th and 6th injection of nusinersen in 8 children with SMA type 2 and 3 during the first year of treatment. The MR protocol allowed DIXON, T2 mapping and diffusion tensor imaging acquisitions. We also assessed muscle strength and motor function scores. RESULTS Fat fraction of all thigh muscles with the exception of the m. adductor longus increased in all patients during treatment (+3.2%, p = 0.02). WaterT2 showed no significant changes over time (-0.7 ms, p = 0.3). DTI parameters MD and AD demonstrate a significant decrease in the hamstrings towards values observed in healthy muscle. CONCLUSIONS Thigh muscles of children with SMA treated with nusinersen showed ongoing fatty infiltration and possible normalization of thigh muscle microstructure during the first year of nusinersen treatment. Quantitative muscle MRI shows potential as biomarker for the effects of SMA treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise A.M. Otto
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - M. Froeling
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben P.A. van Eijk
- Biostatistics & Research Support, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Renske I. Wadman
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Inge Cuppen
- Department of Neurology and Child Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Danny R. van der Woude
- Department of Child Development and Exercise Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Bartels
- Department of Child Development and Exercise Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
| | - Fay-Lynn Asselman
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Hendrikse
- Department of Radiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - W. Ludo van der Pol
- Department of Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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93
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Landfeldt E, Leibrock B, Hussong J, Thiele S, Abner S, Walter MC, Moehler E, Zemlin M, Dillmann U, Flotats-Bastardas M. Self-Reported Health-Related Quality of Life of Children with Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Preliminary Insights from a Nationwide Patient Registry in Germany. J Neuromuscul Dis 2024; 11:117-128. [PMID: 38108360 PMCID: PMC10789359 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-230071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare, severely debilitating neuromuscular disease characterized by a wide spectrum of progressive muscular atrophy and weakness. OBJECTIVES The objective of this pilot study was to estimate self-assessed health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children with SMA. METHODS Children with SMA were recruited via the German national TREAT-NMD SMA patient registry and asked to self-complete the following rating-scales: KIDSCREEN-27, KINDL, the PedsQL 3.0 Neuromuscular Module (PedsQL 3.0 NMM), EQ-5D-5L, and the Health Utilities Index (HUI). Estimates were stratified by current best motor function of the lower limb and trunk (i.e., non-sitter, sitter, and walker) and SMA type (i.e., type I, II, and III). RESULTS In total, 17 children with SMA (mean age: 9.88 years, SD: 4.33 years, range: 5-16 years; 59% female) participated in the study. Across examined strata, the mean KIDSCREEN-27 total score was estimated at between 48.24 and 83.81; the mean KINDL total score at between 60.42 and 76.73; the mean PedsQL 3.0 NMM total score at between 58.00 and 83.83; the mean EQ-5D-5L utility at between 0.31 and 0.99; and the mean HUI-derived utility at between -0.02 and 0.96. CONCLUSIONS The results from this pilot study show that German children with SMA, despite significant physical disability, have surprisingly good HRQoL as assessed using KIDSCREEN-27. Yet, many reside in health states associated with low utility. The disease burden was generally higher among non-sitters compared with walkers, and SMA type I compared with type III, but more research is needed to further delineate this variability. Our preliminary findings contribute to the understanding of HRQoL in pediatric patients with SMA and should be helpful to inform the design of future studies of this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Justine Hussong
- University of Saarland, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany
| | - Simone Thiele
- Friedrich Baur Institute at the Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | | | - Maggie C. Walter
- Friedrich Baur Institute at the Department of Neurology, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | - Eva Moehler
- University of Saarland, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany
| | - Michael Zemlin
- University of Saarland, Department of General Pediatrics and Neonatology, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Dillmann
- University of Saarland, Department of Neurology, Saarland University, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Marina Flotats-Bastardas
- University of Saarland, Department of Neuropaediatrics, Saarland University Hospital, Homburg, Germany
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94
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Theuriet J, Fernandez-Eulate G, Latour P, Stojkovic T, Masingue M, Vidoni L, Bernard E, Jacquier A, Schaeffer L, Salort-Campana E, Chanson JB, Pakleza AN, Kaminsky AL, Svahn J, Manel V, Bouhour F, Pegat A. Genetic characterization of non-5q proximal spinal muscular atrophy in a French cohort: the place of whole exome sequencing. Eur J Hum Genet 2024; 32:37-43. [PMID: 37337091 PMCID: PMC10772122 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-023-01407-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Proximal spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is defined by a degeneration of the anterior horn cells resulting in muscle weakness predominantly in the proximal lower limbs. While most patients carry a biallelic deletion in the SMN1 gene (localized in chromosome 5q), little is known regarding patients without SMN1-mutation, and a genetic diagnosis is not always possible. Here, we report a cohort of 24 French patients with non-5q proximal SMA from five neuromuscular centers who all, except two, had next-generation sequencing (NGS) gene panel, followed by whole exome sequencing (WES) if gene panel showed a negative result. The two remaining patients benefited directly from WES or whole genome sequencing (WGS). A total of ten patients with causative variants were identified, nine of whom were index cases (9/23 families = 39%). Eight variants were identified by gene panel: five variants in DYNC1H1, and three in BICD2. Compound heterozygous causative variants in ASAH1 were identified directly by WES, and one variant in DYNC1H1 was identified directly by WGS. No causative variant was found using WES in patients with a previous panel with negative results (14 cases). We thus recommend using primarily NGS panels in patients with non-5q-SMA and using WES, especially when several members of the same family are affected and/or when trio analyses are possible, or WGS as second-line testing if available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Theuriet
- Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer, Service d'électroneuromyographie et de Pathologies Neuromusculaires, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Est, Bron, France.
- Pathophysiology and Genetics of Neuron and Muscle, CNRS UMR 5261, INSERM U1315, Université Lyon1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Lyon, France.
| | - Gorka Fernandez-Eulate
- Nord/Est/Ile-De-France Neuromuscular Reference Center, Institut de Myologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Latour
- Pathophysiology and Genetics of Neuron and Muscle, CNRS UMR 5261, INSERM U1315, Université Lyon1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Lyon, France
- Unité Fonctionnelle de Neurogénétique Moléculaire, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Est, Bron, France
| | - Tanya Stojkovic
- Nord/Est/Ile-De-France Neuromuscular Reference Center, Institut de Myologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Marion Masingue
- Nord/Est/Ile-De-France Neuromuscular Reference Center, Institut de Myologie, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Léo Vidoni
- Unité Fonctionnelle de Neurogénétique Moléculaire, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Est, Bron, France
| | - Emilien Bernard
- Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer, Service d'électroneuromyographie et de Pathologies Neuromusculaires, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Est, Bron, France
- Pathophysiology and Genetics of Neuron and Muscle, CNRS UMR 5261, INSERM U1315, Université Lyon1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Lyon, France
- Hôpital Neurologique Pierre-Wertheimer, Service de Neurologie, Troubles du Mouvement et Pathologies Neuromusculaires, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Est, Bron, France
| | - Arnaud Jacquier
- Pathophysiology and Genetics of Neuron and Muscle, CNRS UMR 5261, INSERM U1315, Université Lyon1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Lyon, France
- Centre de Biotechnologie Cellulaire, CBC Biotec, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Est, Bron, France
| | - Laurent Schaeffer
- Pathophysiology and Genetics of Neuron and Muscle, CNRS UMR 5261, INSERM U1315, Université Lyon1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Lyon, France
- Centre de Biotechnologie Cellulaire, CBC Biotec, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Est, Bron, France
| | - Emmanuelle Salort-Campana
- Hôpital de la Timone, Maladies Neuromusculaires et SMA, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Chanson
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Est/Ile-de-France, Service de Neurologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Aleksandra Nadaj Pakleza
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Neuromusculaires Nord/Est/Ile-de-France, Service de Neurologie, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Anne-Laure Kaminsky
- Service de Neurologie, Centre Référent des Maladies Neuromusculaires Rares, CHU de Saint Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
| | - Juliette Svahn
- Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer, Service d'électroneuromyographie et de Pathologies Neuromusculaires, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Est, Bron, France
- Pathophysiology and Genetics of Neuron and Muscle, CNRS UMR 5261, INSERM U1315, Université Lyon1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Lyon, France
- Hôpital Neurologique Pierre-Wertheimer, Service de Neurologie, Troubles du Mouvement et Pathologies Neuromusculaires, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Est, Bron, France
| | - Véronique Manel
- Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer, Service d'électroneuromyographie et de Pathologies Neuromusculaires, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Est, Bron, France
- Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant, Service de Neuropédiatrie, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Est, Bron, France
| | - Françoise Bouhour
- Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer, Service d'électroneuromyographie et de Pathologies Neuromusculaires, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Est, Bron, France
- Pathophysiology and Genetics of Neuron and Muscle, CNRS UMR 5261, INSERM U1315, Université Lyon1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Lyon, France
| | - Antoine Pegat
- Hôpital Neurologique Pierre Wertheimer, Service d'électroneuromyographie et de Pathologies Neuromusculaires, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Groupement Est, Bron, France
- Pathophysiology and Genetics of Neuron and Muscle, CNRS UMR 5261, INSERM U1315, Université Lyon1, Faculté de Médecine Lyon Est, Lyon, France
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95
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Funato M, Kino A, Iwata R, Yumioka M, Yamashita K, Urui C, Uno R, Kondo E, Morioka E, Ogawa Y, Kawamura A, Kusukawa T, Minatsu H. Later efficacy of nusinersen treatment in adult patients with spinal muscular atrophy: A retrospective case study with a median 4-year follow-up. Brain Dev 2024; 46:62-67. [PMID: 37657961 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2023.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a hereditary neuromuscular disorder characterized by skeletal muscle atrophy and weakness. New treatments for SMA have been developed namely, the drugs nusinersen, onasemnogene abeparvovec, and risdiplam. However, there are limited reports on their effects on adult patients with SMA, particularly over long periods. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the efficacy of nusinersen treatment in adult patients with SMA. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed patients with SMA type 2 or 3 who received nusinersen treatment between January 2018 and January 2023. All patients were evaluated using the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale-Expanded (HFMSE) before the commencement of nusinersen treatment, and the change with respect to the baseline HFMSE score was compared. RESULTS A total of six patients, three patients each with SMA type 2 or 3, were treated with nusinersen. The median age of the patients before the commencement of nusinersen treatment was 51.5 years (range, 33-59 years), and the median treatment period was 50.5 months (range, 33-57 months). Three patients showed an increased tendency of improvement on the HFMSE at 15-26 months after nusinersen treatment, and the HFMSE score was maintained in two patients. Significant adverse events were observed in three patients: one subdural hematoma, one incidental bone fracture, and one cheek dermatofibrosarcoma. CONCLUSIONS Nusinersen treatment showed later efficacy in adult patients with SMA type 2 or 3. The distinct efficacy of nusinersen requires further investigation using a large number of cases and a long follow-up period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michinori Funato
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, National Hospital Organization Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan.
| | - Atsunari Kino
- Department of Anesthesia, National Hospital Organization Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Reina Iwata
- Department of Pharmacy, National Hospital Organization Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Misaki Yumioka
- Department of Rehabilitation, National Hospital Organization Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Kohei Yamashita
- Department of Rehabilitation, National Hospital Organization Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Chika Urui
- Department of Rehabilitation, National Hospital Organization Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Ryoya Uno
- Department of Rehabilitation, National Hospital Organization Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Emi Kondo
- Department of Rehabilitation, National Hospital Organization Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Etsuko Morioka
- Department of Rehabilitation, National Hospital Organization Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yoko Ogawa
- Department of Rehabilitation, National Hospital Organization Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Akihisa Kawamura
- Department of Rehabilitation, National Hospital Organization Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Kusukawa
- Department of Rehabilitation, National Hospital Organization Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Minatsu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, National Hospital Organization Nagara Medical Center, Gifu, Japan
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96
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Richard M, Barrois R, Desguerre I, Deladrière E, Leloup-Germa V, Barnerias C, Gitiaux C. Correlations between clinical motor scores and CMAP in patients with type 2 spinal muscular amyotrophy treated with nusinersen. Arch Pediatr 2024; 31:26-31. [PMID: 37989659 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcped.2023.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 04/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by the degeneration of the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord. Nusinersen for the treatment of SMA has been covered by public healthcare in France since May 2017. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to investigate whether there is a correlation between clinical and compound motor action potential (CMAP) measurements in SMA patients treated with nusinersen after 3 years' follow-up. METHOD Motor skills were evaluated regularly between M0 and M36 using the Motor Function Measure (MFM) score. CMAP measurements were collected regularly between M0 and M22. RESULTS Data for 10 patients with SMA type 2 were collected and divided into two age groups (< 5 years and > 5 years). Motor function improved, but not significantly, regarding distal motor skills (D3) in both groups, and in axial and proximal motor function (D2) in the younger group. CMAP measurements improved in all patients. CMAP increased significantly for the median nerve, and this improvement correlated significantly with global MFM and with axial and proximal tone (D2). CONCLUSION Our study shows gain in distal motor function with nusinersen, especially in younger patients with SMA type 2. These results encourage the screening of SMA patients and treatment as early as possible. CMAP measurements of the median nerve show clear improvement in patients treated with nusinersen and could be performed as routine follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Richard
- Centre de référence des pathologies neuromusculaires Paris-Nord-Est, AP-AH, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France.
| | - R Barrois
- Centre de référence des pathologies neuromusculaires Paris-Nord-Est, AP-AH, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - I Desguerre
- Centre de référence des pathologies neuromusculaires Paris-Nord-Est, AP-AH, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - E Deladrière
- Centre de référence des pathologies neuromusculaires Paris-Nord-Est, AP-AH, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - V Leloup-Germa
- Centre de référence des pathologies neuromusculaires Paris-Nord-Est, AP-AH, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - C Barnerias
- Centre de référence des pathologies neuromusculaires Paris-Nord-Est, AP-AH, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
| | - C Gitiaux
- Centre de référence des pathologies neuromusculaires Paris-Nord-Est, AP-AH, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France; Service d'explorations fonctionnelles, unité de Neurophysiologie Clinique, AP-HP, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, Paris, France
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97
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Cutrona C, de Sanctis R, Coratti G, Capasso A, Ricci M, Stanca G, Carnicella S, Utlulig M, Bersani G, lazzareschi I, Leoni C, Buonsenso D, Luciano R, Vento G, Finkel RS, Pane M, Mercuri E. Can the CHOP-INTEND be used as An Outcome Measure in the First Months of Age? Implications for Clinical Trials and Real World Data. J Neuromuscul Dis 2024; 11:85-90. [PMID: 37980678 PMCID: PMC10789347 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-221644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The CHOP-INTEND is an established outcome measure used to assess motor function in young and weak SMA patients previously validated in type I infants older than 3 months. OBJECTIVE The aim of our study was to assess the maturation of the CHOP-INTEND scores in a group of healthy infants, establishing which items of the scale can be reliably used in individuals younger than 3 months. METHODS This is a prospective observational study. The whole cohort was divided into 5 age groups. Each of the 16 CHOP-INTEND items was analyzed looking at the frequency distribution of the scores in each age subgroup. An item was considered developmentally appropriate when > 85% of the infants achieved a full score. RESULTS our study includes 61 assessments collected < 2 weeks, 25 at 2-4 weeks, 20 at 5-8 weeks, 25 at 9-12 weeks and 20 at 13-17 weeks. Eight of the 16 items were developmentally appropriate already in the first week and another by the end of the first month. The remaining 7 items had more variable responses in the first three months and full scores were consistently achieved only after the third month. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the CHOP-INTEND can be used before the age of 3 months, but the results should be interpreted with caution, considering which items are developmentally appropriate at the time of testing. This will also help to establish whether the changes observed following early treatments are a sign of efficacy or at least partly reflect maturational aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Costanza Cutrona
- Centro Clinico Nemo Pediatrico, Fondazione Policlinico “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto de Sanctis
- Centro Clinico Nemo Pediatrico, Fondazione Policlinico “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Coratti
- Centro Clinico Nemo Pediatrico, Fondazione Policlinico “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Capasso
- Centro Clinico Nemo Pediatrico, Fondazione Policlinico “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Ricci
- Centro Clinico Nemo Pediatrico, Fondazione Policlinico “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Stanca
- Centro Clinico Nemo Pediatrico, Fondazione Policlinico “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Carnicella
- Centro Clinico Nemo Pediatrico, Fondazione Policlinico “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Meric Utlulig
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Bersani
- Departmen of Woman & Child Health & Pubblic Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria lazzareschi
- Departmen of Woman & Child Health & Pubblic Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Leoni
- Departmen of Woman & Child Health & Pubblic Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Danilo Buonsenso
- Departmen of Woman & Child Health & Pubblic Health, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Luciano
- Neonatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Neonatology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanni Vento
- Neonatology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Neonatology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Richard S. Finkel
- Center for Experimental Neurotherapeutics, Department of Paediatric Medicine, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Marika Pane
- Centro Clinico Nemo Pediatrico, Fondazione Policlinico “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Centro Clinico Nemo Pediatrico, Fondazione Policlinico “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
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98
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Le BT, Chen S, Veedu RN. Evaluation of Chemically Modified Nucleic Acid Analogues for Splice Switching Application. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:48650-48661. [PMID: 38162739 PMCID: PMC10753547 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c07618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, several splice switching antisense oligonucleotide (ASO)-based therapeutics have gained significant interest, and several candidates received approval for clinical use for treating rare diseases, in particular, Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy. These ASOs are fully modified; in other words, they are composed of chemically modified nucleic acid analogues instead of natural RNA oligomers. This has significantly improved drug-like properties of these ASOs in terms of efficacy, stability, pharmacokinetics, and safety. Although chemical modifications of oligonucleotides have been discussed previously for numerous applications including nucleic acid aptamers, small interfering RNA, DNAzyme, and ASO, to the best of our knowledge, none of them have solely focused on the analogues that have been utilized for splice switching applications. To this end, we present here a comprehensive review of different modified nucleic acid analogues that have been explored for developing splice switching ASOs. In addition to the antisense chemistry, we also endeavor to provide a brief historical overview of the approved spice switching ASO drugs, including a list of drugs that have entered human clinical trials. We hope this work will inspire further investigations into expanding the potential of novel nucleic acid analogues for constructing splice switching ASOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao T. Le
- Centre
for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures
Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
- Precision
Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute
for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia
- ProGenis
Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd., Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
| | - Suxiang Chen
- Centre
for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures
Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
- Precision
Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute
for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia
| | - Rakesh N. Veedu
- Centre
for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures
Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
- Precision
Nucleic Acid Therapeutics, Perron Institute
for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia
- ProGenis
Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd., Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia
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99
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Cho J, Lee J, Kim J, Lee H, Kim MJ, Lee YJ, Yum MS, Byun JH, Lee CG, Lee YM, Lee J, Chae JH. Nusinersen demonstrates effectiveness in treating spinal muscular atrophy: findings from a three-year nationwide study in Korea. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1294028. [PMID: 38192577 PMCID: PMC10773909 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1294028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Nusinersen is the first drug approved for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) treatment. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of nusinersen, assess the therapeutic effects based on the treatment initiation timing and baseline motor function, and explore the perception of functional improvement from either parents or patients, utilizing 3-year nationwide follow-up data in South Korea. Methods We enrolled patients with SMA who were treated with nusinersen under the National Health Insurance coverage, with complete motor score records available and a minimum treatment duration of 6 months. To evaluate the motor function of patients, the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination-2 (HINE-2) was used for type 1 and the Expanded Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale (HFMSE) was used for types 2 and 3 patients. A significant improvement was defined as a HINE-2 score gain ≥5 for patients with type 1 and an HFMSE score ≥ 3 for patients with types 2 and 3 SMA. Effects of treatment timing were assessed. Patients with type 2 were further categorized based on baseline motor scores for outcome analysis. We also analyzed a second dataset from five tertiary hospitals with the information on parents/patients-reported impressions of improvement. Results The study comprised 137 patients, with 21, 103, and 13 patients representing type 1, 2, and 3 SMA, respectively. At the 3-year follow-up, the analysis encompassed 7 patients with type 1, 12 patients with type 2, and none with type 3. Nearly half of all enrolled patients across SMA types (42.8, 59.2 and 46.2%, respectively) reached the 2-year follow-up for analysis. Patients with type 1 SMA exhibited gradual motor function improvement over 1-, 2-, and 3-year follow-ups (16, 9, and 7 patients, respectively). Patients with type 2 SMA demonstrated improvement over 1-, 2-, and 3-year follow-ups (96, 61 and 12 patients, respectively). Early treatment from symptom onset resulted in better outcomes for patients with type 1 and 2 SMA. In the second dataset, 90.7% of 108 patients reported subjective improvement at the 1-year follow-up. Conclusion Nusinersen treatment for types 1-3 SMA is safe and effective in long-term follow-up. Early treatment initiation was a significant factor affecting long-term motor outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeso Cho
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Children’s Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwon Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihye Kim
- Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA), HIRA Research Institute, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunjoo Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Jee Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Jeong Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Kyungpook, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Sun Yum
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hye Byun
- Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA), HIRA Research Institute, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Chong Guk Lee
- Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA), HIRA Research Institute, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Mock Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeehun Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Hee Chae
- Department of Genomic Medicine, Seoul National University Children’s Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Fan HC, Yang MT, Lin LC, Chiang KL, Chen CM. Clinical and Genetic Features of Dravet Syndrome: A Prime Example of the Role of Precision Medicine in Genetic Epilepsy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:31. [PMID: 38203200 PMCID: PMC10779156 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Dravet syndrome (DS), also known as severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy, is a rare and drug-resistant form of developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, which is both debilitating and challenging to manage, typically arising during the first year of life, with seizures often triggered by fever, infections, or vaccinations. It is characterized by frequent and prolonged seizures, developmental delays, and various other neurological and behavioral impairments. Most cases result from pathogenic mutations in the sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 1 (SCN1A) gene, which encodes a critical voltage-gated sodium channel subunit involved in neuronal excitability. Precision medicine offers significant potential for improving DS diagnosis and treatment. Early genetic testing enables timely and accurate diagnosis. Advances in our understanding of DS's underlying genetic mechanisms and neurobiology have enabled the development of targeted therapies, such as gene therapy, offering more effective and less invasive treatment options for patients with DS. Targeted and gene therapies provide hope for more effective and personalized treatments. However, research into novel approaches remains in its early stages, and their clinical application remains to be seen. This review addresses the current understanding of clinical DS features, genetic involvement in DS development, and outcomes of novel DS therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hueng-Chuen Fan
- Department of Pediatrics, Tungs’ Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Wuchi, Taichung 435, Taiwan;
- Department of Rehabilitation, Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Miaoli 356, Taiwan
- Department of Life Sciences, Agricultural Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Tao Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City 220, Taiwan;
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan 320, Taiwan
| | - Lung-Chang Lin
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
- Department of Pediatrics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Liang Chiang
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Kuang-Tien General Hospital, Taichung 433, Taiwan;
- Department of Nutrition, Hungkuang University, Taichung 433, Taiwan
| | - Chuan-Mu Chen
- Department of Life Sciences, Agricultural Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
- The iEGG and Animal Biotechnology Center, and Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
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