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Tang Y, Ebadi M, Lei J, Feng Z, Fakhari S, Wu P, Smith MD, Limberis MP, Kolbeck R, Excoffon KJ, Yan Z, Engelhardt JF. Durable transgene expression and efficient re-administration after rAAV2.5T-mediated fCFTRΔR gene delivery to adult ferret lungs. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101244. [PMID: 38638546 PMCID: PMC11024656 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101244] [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: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
The dosing interval for effective recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV)-mediated gene therapy of cystic fibrosis lung disease remains unknown. Here, we assessed the durability of rAAV2.5T-fCFTRΔR-mediated transgene expression and neutralizing antibody (NAb) responses in lungs of adult wild-type ferrets. Within the first 3 months following rAAV2.5T-fCFTRΔR delivery to the lung, CFTRΔR transgene expression declined ∼5.6-fold and then remained stable to 5 months at ∼26% the level of endogenous CFTR. rAAV NAbs in the plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) peaked at 21 days, coinciding with peak ELISpot T cell responses to AAV capsid peptides, after which both responses declined and remained stable at 4-5 months post dosing. Administration of reporter vector rAAV2.5T-gLuc (gaussia luciferase) at 5 months following rAAV2.5T-fCFTRΔR dosing gave rise to similar levels of gLuc expression in the BALF as observed in age-matched reporter-only controls, demonstrating that residual BALF NAbs were functionally insignificant. Notably, the second vector administration led to a 2.6-fold greater ELISpot T cell response and ∼2.3-fold decline in fCFTRΔR mRNA and vector genomes derived from the initial rAAV2.5T-fCFTRΔR administration, suggesting selective destruction of transduced cells from the first vector dose. These findings provide insights into humoral and cellular immune response to rAAV that may be useful for optimizing gene therapy to the cystic fibrosis lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghua Tang
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Mehrnoosh Ebadi
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Junying Lei
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Zehua Feng
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Shahab Fakhari
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Peipei Wu
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Ziying Yan
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - John F. Engelhardt
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
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Mendonça RH, Ortega AB, Matsui C, van der Linden V, Kerstenetzky M, Grossklauss LF, Silveira-Lucas EL, Polido GJ, Zanoteli E. Gene replacement therapy for spinal muscular atrophy: safety and preliminary efficacy in a Brazilian cohort. Gene Ther 2024:10.1038/s41434-024-00456-y. [PMID: 38839888 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-024-00456-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a motor neuron disease associated with progressive muscle weakness, ventilatory failure, and reduced survival. Onasemnogene abeparvovec is the first gene replacement therapy (GT) approved to treat this condition. An observational retrospective study was conducted to assess adverse events and efficacy of GT in SMA patients. Forty-one patients with SMA (58.5% females and 80.1% SMA type 1) were included. The mean age at GT dosing was 18 (±6.4) months. Thirty-six patients (87.8%) were under previous treatment with nusinersen, and 10 (24.4%) continued nusinersen after GT. Mean CHOP-INTEND increased 13 points after 6 months and this finding did not differ between groups according to nusinersen maintenance after GT (p = 0.949). Among SMA type 1 patients, 14 (46.6%) reached the ability to sit alone. Liver transaminases elevation at least two times higher than the upper limit of normal value occurred in 29 (70.7%) patients. Thrombocytopenia occurred in 13 (31.7%) patients, and one presented thrombotic microangiopathy. Older age (>2 years) was associated with more prolonged use of corticosteroids (p = 0.021). GT is effective in SMA patients, combined nusinersen after GT did not appear to add gain in motor function and older age is associated with prolonged corticosteroid use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Holanda Mendonça
- Department of Neurology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil.
- Hospital Samaritano Higienópolis, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | - Ciro Matsui
- Department of Neurology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
- Hospital Samaritano Higienópolis, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Graziela Jorge Polido
- Department of Neurology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Edmar Zanoteli
- Department of Neurology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
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Zanoteli E, França MC, Marques W. Gene-based therapies for neuromuscular disorders. ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA 2024; 82:1-10. [PMID: 38325390 PMCID: PMC10849828 DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Neuromuscular diseases (NMD) include a broad group of medical conditions with both acquired and genetic causes. In recent years, important advances have been made in the treatment of genetically caused NMD, and most of these advances are due to the implementation of therapies aimed at gene regulation. Among these therapies, gene replacement, small interfering RNA (siRNA), and antisense antinucleotides are the most promising approaches. More importantly, some of these therapies have already gained regulatory approval or are in the final stages of approval. The review focuses on motor neuron diseases, neuropathies, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy, summarizing the most recent developments in gene-based therapies for these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmar Zanoteli
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Neurologia, São Paulo SP, Brazil.
| | - Marcondes Cavalcante França
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Departamento de Neurologia, Campinas SP, Brazil.
| | - Wilson Marques
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Neurociências e Ciências do Comportamento, Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil.
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4
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Chen D, Ni J, Buu M. Genetic therapies and respiratory outcomes in patients with neuromuscular disease. Curr Opin Pediatr 2024; 36:296-303. [PMID: 38655811 DOI: 10.1097/mop.0000000000001352] [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] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Genetic therapies made a significant impact to the clinical course of patients with spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Clinicians and therapists who care for these patients want to know the changes in respiratory sequelae and implications for clinical care for treated patients. RECENT FINDINGS Different genetic therapy approaches have been developed to replace the deficient protein product in spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The natural history of these conditions needed to be understood in order to design clinical trials. Respiratory parameters were not the primary outcome measures for the clinical trials. The impact of these therapies is described in subsequent clinical trial reports or real-world data. SUMMARY Genetic therapies are able to stabilize or improve the respiratory sequelae in patients with spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Standardized reporting of these outcomes is needed to help inform the future revisions of clinical standards of care and practice guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Chen
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
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Matesanz SE, Brigatti KW, Young M, Yum SW, Strauss KA. Preemptive dual therapy for children at risk for infantile-onset spinal muscular atrophy. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2024. [PMID: 38817128 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.52093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Compare efficacy of gene therapy alone (monotherapy) or in combination with an SMN2 augmentation agent (dual therapy) for treatment of children at risk for spinal muscular atrophy type 1. METHODS Eighteen newborns with biallelic SMN1 deletions and two SMN2 copies were treated preemptively with monotherapy (n = 11) or dual therapy (n = 7) and followed for a median of 3 years. Primary outcomes were independent sitting and walking. Biomarkers were serial muscle ultrasonography (efficacy) and sensory action potentials (safety). RESULTS Gene therapy was administered by 7-43 postnatal days; dual therapy with risdiplam (n = 6) or nusinersen (n = 1) was started by 15-39 days. Among 18 children enrolled, 17 sat, 15 walked, and 44% had motor delay (i.e., delay or failure to achieve prespecified milestones). Those on dual therapy sat but did not walk at an earlier age. 91% of muscle ultrasounds conducted within 60 postnatal days were normal but by 3-61 months, 94% showed echogenicity and/or fasciculation of at least one muscle group; these changes were indistinguishable between monotherapy and dual therapy cohorts. Five children with three SMN2 copies were treated with monotherapy in parallel: all sat and walked on time and had normal muscle sonograms at all time points. No child on dual therapy experienced treatment-associated adverse events. All 11 participants who completed sensory testing (including six on dual therapy) had intact sural sensory responses. INTERPRETATION Preemptive dual therapy is well tolerated and may provide modest benefit for children at risk for severe spinal muscular atrophy but does not prevent widespread degenerative changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Matesanz
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Millie Young
- Clinic for Special Children, Gordonville, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sabrina W Yum
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kevin A Strauss
- Clinic for Special Children, Gordonville, Pennsylvania, USA
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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Evans LJ, O'Brien D, Shaw PJ. Current neuroprotective therapies and future prospects for motor neuron disease. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 176:327-384. [PMID: 38802178 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.04.003] [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: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Four medications with neuroprotective disease-modifying effects are now in use for motor neuron disease (MND). With FDA approvals for tofersen, relyvrio and edaravone in just the past year, 2022 ended a quarter of a century when riluzole was the sole such drug to offer to patients. The acceleration of approvals may mean we are witnessing the beginning of a step-change in how MND can be treated. Improvements in understanding underlying disease biology has led to more therapies being developed to target specific and multiple disease mechanisms. Consideration for how the pipeline of new therapeutic agents coming through in clinical and preclinical development can be more effectively evaluated with biomarkers, advances in patient stratification and clinical trial design pave the way for more successful translation for this archetypal complex neurodegenerative disease. While it must be cautioned that only slowed rates of progression have so far been demonstrated, pre-empting rapid neurodegeneration by using neurofilament biomarkers to signal when to treat, as is currently being trialled with tofersen, may be more effective for patients with known genetic predisposition to MND. Early intervention with personalized medicines could mean that for some patients at least, in future we may be able to substantially treat what is considered by many to be one of the most distressing diseases in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Evans
- The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, and the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - David O'Brien
- The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, and the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Pamela J Shaw
- The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, and the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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Massaro G, Geard AF, Nelvagal HR, Gore K, Clemo NK, Waddington SN, Rahim AA. Comparison of different promoters to improve AAV vector-mediated gene therapy for neuronopathic Gaucher disease. Hum Mol Genet 2024:ddae081. [PMID: 38757200 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae081] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Gaucher Disease (GD) is an inherited metabolic disorder caused by mutations in the GBA1 gene. It can manifest with severe neurodegeneration and visceral pathology. The most acute neuronopathic form (nGD), for which there are no curative therapeutic options, is characterised by devastating neuropathology and death during infancy. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic benefit of systemically delivered AAV9 vectors expressing the human GBA1 gene at two different doses comparing a neuronal-selective promoter with ubiquitous promoters. Our results highlight the importance of a careful evaluation of the promoter sequence used in gene delivery vectors, suggesting a neuron-targeted therapy leading to high levels of enzymatic activity in the brain but lower GCase expression in the viscera, might be the optimal therapeutic strategy for nGD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Massaro
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-38 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom
| | - Amy F Geard
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-38 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand Medical, School, 7 York Road, Parktown 2193, South Africa
| | - Hemanth R Nelvagal
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-38 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom
| | - Katrina Gore
- Apollo Therapeutics, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, 50-60 Station Road, Cambridge, CB1 2JH, United Kingdom
| | - Nadine K Clemo
- Apollo Therapeutics, Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst, 50-60 Station Road, Cambridge, CB1 2JH, United Kingdom
| | - Simon N Waddington
- Wits/SAMRC Antiviral Gene Therapy Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand Medical, School, 7 York Road, Parktown 2193, South Africa
- UCL EGA Institute for Women's Health, University College London, Medical School Building, 74 Huntley Street, London, WC1E 6AU, United Kingdom
| | - Ahad A Rahim
- UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, 29-38 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom
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Fernandes BD, Krug BC, Rodrigues FD, Cirilo HNC, Borges SS, Schwartz IVD, Probst LF, Zimmermann I. Efficacy and safety of onasemnogene abeparvovec for the treatment of patients with spinal muscular atrophy type 1: A systematic review with meta-analysis. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0302860. [PMID: 38713659 PMCID: PMC11075831 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302860] [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: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Onasemnogene abeparvovec has been approved for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy 5q type 1 in several countries, which calls for an independent assessment of the evidence regarding efficacy and safety. OBJECTIVE Conduct a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy and safety of onasemnogene abeparvovec in patients diagnosed with SMA type 1, based on the available evidence. METHODS This article results from searches conducted on databases up to November 2022. Outcomes of interest were global survival and event-free survival, improvement in motor function and treatment-related adverse events. Risk of bias assessment and certainty of evidence were performed for each outcome. Proportional meta-analysis models were performed when applicable. RESULTS Four reports of three open-label, non-comparative clinical trials covering 67 patients were included. Meta-analyses of data available in a 12-month follow-up estimate a global survival of 97.56% (95%CI: 92.55 to 99.86, I2 = 0%, n = 67), an event-free survival of 96.5% (95%CI: 90.76 to 99.54, I2 = 32%, n = 66) and a CHOP-INTEND score ≥ 40 points proportion of 87.28% (95%CI: 69.81 to 97.83, I2 = 69%, n = 67). Proportion of 52.64% (95%CI: 27.11 to 77.45, I2 = 78%, n = 67) of treatment-related adverse events was estimated. CONCLUSION The results indicate a potential change in the natural history of type 1 SMA, but the methodological limitations of the studies make the real extent of the technology's long-term benefits uncertain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brígida Dias Fernandes
- Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, Unidade de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Instituto Capixaba de Ensino, Pesquisa e Inovação em Saúde (ICEPi), Vitória, ES, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Corrêa Krug
- Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, Unidade de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Secretaria Estadual da Saúde do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Fernanda D’Athayde Rodrigues
- Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, Unidade de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Hérica Núbia Cardoso Cirilo
- Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, Unidade de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Núcleo de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade Federal de Goiás/Ebserh, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Stéfani Sousa Borges
- Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, Unidade de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Livia Fernandes Probst
- Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, Unidade de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Ivan Zimmermann
- Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, Unidade de Avaliação de Tecnologias em Saúde, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Departamento de Saúde Coletiva, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, University of Brasilia, Brasília, DF, Brazil
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Ay C, Reinisch A. Gene therapy: principles, challenges and use in clinical practice. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2024:10.1007/s00508-024-02368-8. [PMID: 38713227 DOI: 10.1007/s00508-024-02368-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gene therapy is an emerging topic in medicine. The first products have already been licensed in the European Union for the treatment of immune deficiency, spinal muscular atrophy, hemophilia, retinal dystrophy, a rare neurotransmitter disorder and some hematological cancers, while many more are being assessed in preclinical and clinical trials. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the core principles of gene therapy along with information on challenges and risks. Benefits, adverse effects and potential risks are illustrated based on the examples of hemophilia and spinal muscular atrophy. RESULTS At present, in-vitro and in-vivo gene addition or gene augmentation is the most commonly established type of gene therapy. More recently, more sophisticated and precise approaches such as in situ gene editing have moved into focus. However, all types of gene therapy require long-term observation of treated patients to ensure safety, efficacy, predictability and durability. Important safety concerns include immune reactions to the vector, the foreign DNA or the new protein resulting from gene therapy, and a remaining low cancer risk based on insertional mutagenesis. Ethical and regulatory issues need to be addressed, and new reimbursement models are called for to ease the financial burden that this new treatment poses for the health care system. CONCLUSION Gene therapy holds great promise for considerable improvement or even cure of genetic diseases with serious clinical consequences. However, a number of questions and issues need to be clarified to ensure broad accessibility of safe and efficacious products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cihan Ay
- Department of Medicine I, Clinical Division of Haematology and Haemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18-20, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Andreas Reinisch
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology & Department for Blood Group Serology and Transfusion Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 38, 8036, Graz, Austria.
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10
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McGrattan K, Cerchiari A, Conway E, Berti B, Finkel R, Muntoni F, Mercuri E. Bulbar function in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA): State of art and new challenges. 21st July 2023, Rome, Italy. Neuromuscul Disord 2024; 38:44-50. [PMID: 38565000 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2024.02.003] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Progressive bulbar involvement is frequent in spinal muscular atrophy, with prevalence and severity of deficits associated with type. The report provides an overview of the presentations made at the workshop grouped into 4 sessions: the first section was dedicated to videofluoroscopy with a revision of the existing protocols and discussion on which one should be used in routine clinical practice and in research settings. The second session was dedicated to interprofessional routine assessments of bulbar function, with a review of the recent clinical tools specifically developed for SMA. The third section was focused on the assessments performed by speech and language therapists/pathologists in the new SMA phenotypes. The last section focused on how the new therapies have changed the approach in rehabilitation for bulbar dysfunction. Finally, we present the consensus that was achieved on these aspects and possible action points from these.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katlyn McGrattan
- Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, University of Minnesota, USA
| | - Antonella Cerchiari
- Management and Diagnostic Innovations & Clinical Pathways Research Area, Neurorehabilitation and Adapted Physical Activity Day Hospital, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleanor Conway
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Beatrice Berti
- Centro Clinico Nemo, U.O.C. Neuropsichiatria Infantile Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome
| | - Richard Finkel
- Center for Experimental Neurotherapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- Department of Speech-Language-Hearing Sciences, University of Minnesota, USA; Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Centro Clinico Nemo, U.O.C. Neuropsichiatria Infantile Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome; Pediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
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11
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Hu SW, Lv J, Wang Z, Tang H, Wang H, Wang F, Wang D, Zhang J, Zhang L, Cao Q, Chen Y, Gao Z, Han Y, Wang W, Li GL, Shu Y, Li H. Engineering of the AAV-Compatible Hair Cell-Specific Small-Size Myo15 Promoter for Gene Therapy in the Inner Ear. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2024; 7:0341. [PMID: 38665848 PMCID: PMC11045262 DOI: 10.34133/research.0341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy is widely applied to treat numerous hereditary diseases in animal models and humans. The specific expression of AAV-delivered transgenes driven by cell type-specific promoters should further increase the safety of gene therapy. However, current methods for screening cell type-specific promoters are labor-intensive and time-consuming. Herein, we designed a "multiple vectors in one AAV" strategy for promoter construction in vivo. Through this strategy, we truncated a native promoter for Myo15 expression in hair cells (HCs) in the inner ear, from 1,611 bp down to 1,157 bp, and further down to 956 bp. Under the control of these 2 promoters, green fluorescent protein packaged in AAV-PHP.eB was exclusively expressed in the HCs. The transcription initiation ability of the 2 promoters was further verified by intein-mediated otoferlin recombination in a dual-AAV therapeutic system. Driven by these 2 promoters, human otoferlin was selectively expressed in HCs, resulting in the restoration of hearing in treated Otof -/- mice for at least 52 weeks. In summary, we developed an efficient screening strategy for cell type-specific promoter engineering and created 2 truncated Myo15 promoters that not only restored hereditary deafness in animal models but also show great potential for treating human patients in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao Wei Hu
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Jun Lv
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zijing Wang
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Honghai Tang
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Hui Wang
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Fang Wang
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Daqi Wang
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Longlong Zhang
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qi Cao
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yuxin Chen
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ziwen Gao
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yu Han
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wuqing Wang
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Geng-lin Li
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yilai Shu
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Huawei Li
- ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology and MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China
- Institute of Biomedical Science,
Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine (Fudan University), Shanghai, 200032, China
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12
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Motta-Santos A, Noronha K, Reis C, Freitas D, Carvalho L, Andrade M. Cost-Effectiveness of Technologies for the Treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A Systematic Review of Economic Studies. Value Health Reg Issues 2024; 42:100985. [PMID: 38669792 DOI: 10.1016/j.vhri.2024.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aims to systematically collect data on cost-effectiveness analyses that assess technologies to treat type I and II spinal muscular atrophy and evaluate their recommendations. METHODS A structured electronic search was conducted in 4 databases. Additionally, a complementary manual search was conducted. Complete economic studies that evaluated nusinersen, risdiplam, onasemnogene abeparvovec (OA), and the best support therapy (BST) from the health system's perspective were selected. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were compared with various thresholds for the analysis. The review was registered a priori in PROSPERO (CRD42022365391). RESULTS Twenty studies were included in the analyses. They were all published between 2017 and 2022 and represent the recommendations in 8 countries. Most studies adopted 5, 6, or 10-state Markov models. Some authors took part in multiple studies. Four technologies were evaluated: BST (N = 14), nusinersen (N = 19), risdiplam (N = 5), and OA (N = 9). OA, risdiplam, and nusinersen were considered inefficient compared with the BST. Risdiplam and OA were generally regarded as cost-effective when compared with nusinersen. Because nusinersen is not a cost-effective drug, no recommendation can be derived from this result. Risdiplam and OA were compared in 2 studies that presented opposite results. CONCLUSIONS Nusinersen, risdiplam, and OA are being adopted worldwide as a treatment for spinal muscular atrophy. Despite that, the pharmacoeconomic analyses show that the technologies are not cost-effective compared with the BST. The lack of controlled studies for risdiplam and OA hamper any conclusions about their face-to-face comparison.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Motta-Santos
- Department of Economics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; School of Business, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Kenya Noronha
- Department of Economics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carla Reis
- Department of Economics, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniela Freitas
- School of Medicine/Professor, Universidade José do Rosário Vellano, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Center for Health Technology Assessment of the UFMG Teaching Hospital/Researcher, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Lélia Carvalho
- Center for Health Technology Assessment of the UFMG Teaching Hospital/Coordinator, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mônica Andrade
- Department of Economics/Professor, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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13
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Rhee J, Kang JS, Jo YW, Yoo K, Kim YL, Hann SH, Kim YE, Kim H, Kim JH, Kong YY. Improved therapeutic approach for spinal muscular atrophy via ubiquitination-resistant survival motor neuron variant. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2024. [PMID: 38650097 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.13486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zolgensma is a gene-replacement therapy that has led to a promising treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). However, clinical trials of Zolgensma have raised two major concerns: insufficient therapeutic effects and adverse events. In a recent clinical trial, 30% of patients failed to achieve motor milestones despite pre-symptomatic treatment. In addition, more than 20% of patients showed hepatotoxicity due to excessive virus dosage, even after the administration of an immunosuppressant. Here, we aimed to test whether a ubiquitination-resistant variant of survival motor neuron (SMN), SMNK186R, has improved therapeutic effects for SMA compared with wild-type SMN (SMNWT). METHODS A severe SMA mouse model, SMA type 1.5 (Smn-/-; SMN2+/+; SMN∆7+/-) mice, was used to compare the differences in therapeutic efficacy between AAV9-SMNWT and AAV9-SMNK186R. All animals were injected within Postnatal Day (P) 1 through a facial vein or cerebral ventricle. RESULTS AAV9-SMNK186R-treated mice showed increased lifespan, body weight, motor neuron number, muscle weight and functional improvement in motor functions as compared with AAV9-SMNWT-treated mice. Lifespan increased by more than 10-fold in AAV9-SMNK186R-treated mice (144.8 ± 26.11 days) as compared with AAV9-SMNWT-treated mice (26.8 ± 1.41 days). AAV9-SMNK186R-treated mice showed an ascending weight pattern, unlike AAV9-SMNWT-treated mice, which only gained weight until P20 up to 5 g on average. Several motor function tests showed the improved therapeutic efficacy of SMNK186R. In the negative geotaxis test, AAV9-SMNK186R-treated mice turned their bodies in an upward direction successfully, unlike AAV9-SMNWT-treated mice, which failed to turn upwards from around P23. Hind limb clasping phenotype was rarely observed in AAV9-SMNK186R-treated mice, unlike AAV9-SMNWT-treated mice that showed clasping phenotype for more than 20 out of 30 s. At this point, the number of motor neurons (1.5-fold) and the size of myofibers (2.1-fold) were significantly increased in AAV9-SMNK186R-treated mice compared with AAV9-SMNWT-treated mice without prominent neurotoxicity. AAV9-SMNK186R had fewer liver defects compared with AAV9-SMNWT, as judged by increased proliferation of hepatocytes (P < 0.0001) and insulin-like growth factor-1 production (P < 0.0001). Especially, low-dose AAV9-SMNK186R (nine-fold) also reduced clasping time compared with SMNWT. CONCLUSIONS SMNK186R will provide improved therapeutic efficacy in patients with severe SMA with insufficient therapeutic efficacy. Low-dose treatment of SMA patients with AAV9-SMNK186R can reduce the adverse events of Zolgensma. Collectively, SMNK186R has value as a new treatment for SMA that improves treatment effectiveness and reduces adverse events simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joonwoo Rhee
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jong-Seol Kang
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young-Woo Jo
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyusang Yoo
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ye Lynne Kim
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang-Hyeon Hann
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yea-Eun Kim
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ji-Hoon Kim
- Molecular Recognition Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young-Yun Kong
- School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
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14
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Voight S, Arya K. Considerations for Treatment in Clinical Care of Spinal Muscular Atrophy Patients. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 11:495. [PMID: 38671712 PMCID: PMC11049032 DOI: 10.3390/children11040495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a neurodegenerative disease which can lead to muscle weakness, paralysis, and in some cases death. There are many factors that contribute to the severity of symptoms and those factors can be used to determine the best course of treatment for the patients. We looked through published literature to create a set of considerations for treatment in patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy including age, type, SMN2 copies, and any familial considerations. This can serve as a guide for what to consider in the treatment of SMA patients clinically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Voight
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Natural Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA;
| | - Kapil Arya
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA
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15
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Pane M, Stanca G, Ticci C, Cutrona C, De Sanctis R, Pirinu M, Coratti G, Palermo C, Berti B, Leone D, Sacchini M, Cerboneschi M, Fanelli L, Norcia G, Forcina N, Capasso A, Cicala G, Antonaci L, Ricci M, Pera MC, Bravetti C, Donati MA, Procopio E, Abiusi E, Vaisfeld A, Onesimo R, Tiziano FD, Mercuri E. Early neurological signs in infants identified through neonatal screening for SMA: do they predict outcome? Eur J Pediatr 2024:10.1007/s00431-024-05546-y. [PMID: 38634892 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-024-05546-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Neonatal screening for SMA has allowed the identification of infants who may present with early clinical signs. Our aim was to establish whether the presence and the severity of early clinical signs have an effect on the development of motor milestones. Infants identified through newborn screening were prospectively assessed using a structured neonatal neurological examination and an additional module developed for the assessment of floppy infants. As part of the follow-up, all infants were assessed using the HINE-2 to establish developmental milestones. Only infants with at least 24 months of follow-up were included. Normal early neurological examination (n = 11) was associated with independent walking before the age of 18 months while infants with early clinical signs of SMA (n = 4) did not achieve ambulation (duration follow-up 33.2 months). Paucisymptomatic patients (n = 3) achieved ambulation, one before the age of 18 months and the other 2 between 22 and 24 months. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that early clinical signs may contribute to predict motor milestones development. What is Known: • There is increasing evidence of heterogeneity among the SMA newborns identified via NBS. • The proposed nosology describes a clinically silent disease, an intermediate category ('paucisymptomatic') and 'symptomatic SMA'. What is New: • The presence of minimal clinical signs at birth does not prevent the possibility to achieve independent walking but this may occur with some delay. • The combination of genotype at SMN locus and clinical evaluation may better predict the possibility to achieve milestones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marika Pane
- Centro Pediatrico Nemo and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Stanca
- Centro Pediatrico Nemo and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Ticci
- Metabolic and Muscular Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini, 24, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Costanza Cutrona
- Centro Pediatrico Nemo and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberto De Sanctis
- Centro Pediatrico Nemo and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Pirinu
- Rehabilitation Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini, 24, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Giorgia Coratti
- Centro Pediatrico Nemo and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Concetta Palermo
- Centro Pediatrico Nemo and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Berti
- Centro Pediatrico Nemo and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Leone
- Centro Pediatrico Nemo and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Sacchini
- Metabolic and Muscular Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini, 24, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Margherita Cerboneschi
- Rehabilitation Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini, 24, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Lavinia Fanelli
- Centro Pediatrico Nemo and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Norcia
- Centro Pediatrico Nemo and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Forcina
- Centro Pediatrico Nemo and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Capasso
- Centro Pediatrico Nemo and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianpaolo Cicala
- Centro Pediatrico Nemo and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Antonaci
- Centro Pediatrico Nemo and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Ricci
- Centro Pediatrico Nemo and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Carmela Pera
- Centro Pediatrico Nemo and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Bravetti
- Centro Pediatrico Nemo and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Alice Donati
- Metabolic and Muscular Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini, 24, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Procopio
- Metabolic and Muscular Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini, 24, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Emanuela Abiusi
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Section of Genomic Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vaisfeld
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Section of Genomic Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Onesimo
- Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Danilo Tiziano
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Section of Genomic Medicine, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Centro Pediatrico Nemo and Pediatric Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Francesco Vito, 1, 00168, Rome, Italy.
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16
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Wang JH, Gessler DJ, Zhan W, Gallagher TL, Gao G. Adeno-associated virus as a delivery vector for gene therapy of human diseases. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:78. [PMID: 38565561 PMCID: PMC10987683 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01780-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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has emerged as a pivotal delivery tool in clinical gene therapy owing to its minimal pathogenicity and ability to establish long-term gene expression in different tissues. Recombinant AAV (rAAV) has been engineered for enhanced specificity and developed as a tool for treating various diseases. However, as rAAV is being more widely used as a therapy, the increased demand has created challenges for the existing manufacturing methods. Seven rAAV-based gene therapy products have received regulatory approval, but there continue to be concerns about safely using high-dose viral therapies in humans, including immune responses and adverse effects such as genotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, thrombotic microangiopathy, and neurotoxicity. In this review, we explore AAV biology with an emphasis on current vector engineering strategies and manufacturing technologies. We discuss how rAAVs are being employed in ongoing clinical trials for ocular, neurological, metabolic, hematological, neuromuscular, and cardiovascular diseases as well as cancers. We outline immune responses triggered by rAAV, address associated side effects, and discuss strategies to mitigate these reactions. We hope that discussing recent advancements and current challenges in the field will be a helpful guide for researchers and clinicians navigating the ever-evolving landscape of rAAV-based gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang-Hui Wang
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
| | - Dominic J Gessler
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Wei Zhan
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Thomas L Gallagher
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
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17
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Chrzanowski S, Batra R. CRISPR-Based Gene Editing Techniques in Pediatric Neurological Disorders. Pediatr Neurol 2024; 153:166-174. [PMID: 38394831 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2024.01.021] [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: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of gene editing technologies offers a unique opportunity to develop mutation-specific treatments for pediatric neurological disorders. Gene editing systems can potentially alter disease trajectory by correcting dysfunctional mutations or therapeutically altering gene expression. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based approaches are attractive gene therapy platforms to personalize treatments because of their specificity, ease of design, versatility, and cost. However, many such approaches remain in the early stages of development, with ongoing efforts to optimize editing efficiency, minimize unintended off-target effects, and mitigate pathologic immune responses. Given the rapid evolution of CRISPR-based therapies, it is prudent for the clinically based child neurologist to have a conceptual understanding of what such therapies may entail, including both benefits and risks and how such therapies may be clinically applied. In this review, we describe the fundamentals of CRISPR-based therapies, discuss the opportunities and challenges that have arisen, and highlight preclinical work in several pediatric neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Chrzanowski
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
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18
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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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19
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Kofoed RH, Aubert I. Focused ultrasound gene delivery for the treatment of neurological disorders. Trends Mol Med 2024; 30:263-277. [PMID: 38216449 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.12.006] [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: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
The transformative potential of gene therapy has been demonstrated in humans. However, there is an unmet need for non-invasive targeted gene delivery and regulation in the treatment of brain disorders. Transcranial focused ultrasound (FUS) has gained tremendous momentum to address these challenges. FUS non-invasively modulates brain cells and their environment, and is a powerful tool to facilitate gene delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) with millimeter precision and promptly regulate transgene expression. This review highlights technical aspects of FUS-mediated gene therapies for the central nervous system (CNS) and lessons learned from discoveries in other organs. Understanding the possibilities and remaining obstacles of FUS-mediated gene therapy will be necessary to harness remarkable technologies and create life-changing treatments for neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rikke Hahn Kofoed
- Department of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; Center for Experimental Neuroscience (CENSE), Department of Neurosurgery, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 165, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark; Biological Sciences, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Isabelle Aubert
- Biological Sciences, Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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20
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Bitetti I, Manna MR, Stella R, Varone A. Motor and neurocognitive profiles of children with symptomatic spinal muscular atrophy type 1 with two copies of SMN2 before and after treatment: a longitudinal observational study. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1326528. [PMID: 38450080 PMCID: PMC10915206 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1326528] [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: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by mutations in the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene. In clinical studies, gene replacement therapy with onasemnogene abeparvovec (formerly AVXS-101, Zolgensma®, Novartis) was efficacious in improving motor functioning in children with SMA. However, its effects on cognitive and language skills are largely unknown. Methods This longitudinal observational study evaluated changes in motor and neurocognitive functioning over a 1-year period after administration of onasemnogene abeparvovec in 12 symptomatic SMA type 1 patients with two copies of SMN2 aged 1.7-52.6 months at administration. Motor functioning was measured using the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Infant Test for Neuromuscular Disorders (CHOP-INTEND) while neurocognitive assessment was measured using Griffiths III. Motor milestones and language ability were also assessed at each timepoint. Results and discussion Statistically significant increases in median CHOP-INTEND scores from baseline were observed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after onasemnogene abeparvovec administration (all p ≤ 0.005). Most (91.7%) patients were able to roll over or sit independently for >1 min at 12 months. Significant increases in the Griffiths III Foundations of Learning, Language and Communication, Eye and Hand Coordination, and Personal-Social-Emotional subscale scores were observed at 12-months, but not in the Gross Motor subscale. Speech and language abilities progressed in most patients. Overall, most patients showed some improvement in cognitive and communication performance after treatment with onasemnogene abeparvovec in addition to significant improvement in motor functioning and motor milestones. Evaluation of neurocognitive function should be considered when assessing the global functioning of patients with SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Bitetti
- Pediatric Neurology, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Manna
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Roberto Stella
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Varone
- Pediatric Neurology, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy
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21
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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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22
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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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23
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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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24
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Servais L, Day JW, De Vivo DC, Kirschner J, Mercuri E, Muntoni F, Proud CM, Shieh PB, Tizzano EF, Quijano-Roy S, Desguerre I, Saito K, Faulkner E, Benguerba KM, Raju D, LaMarca N, Sun R, Anderson FA, Finkel RS. Real-World Outcomes in Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy Treated with Onasemnogene Abeparvovec Monotherapy: Findings from the RESTORE Registry. J Neuromuscul Dis 2024; 11:425-442. [PMID: 38250783 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-230122] [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: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Background Long-term, real-world effectiveness and safety data of disease-modifying treatments for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are important for assessing outcomes and providing information for a larger number and broader range of SMA patients than included in clinical trials. Objective We sought to describe patients with SMA treated with onasemnogene abeparvovec monotherapy in the real-world setting. Methods RESTORE is a prospective, multicenter, multinational, observational registry that captures data from a variety of sources. Results Recruitment started in September 2018. As of May 23, 2022, data were available for 168 patients treated with onasemnogene abeparvovec monotherapy. Median (IQR) age at initial SMA diagnosis was 1 (0-6) month and at onasemnogene abeparvovec infusion was 3 (1-10) months. Eighty patients (47.6%) had two and 70 (41.7%) had three copies of SMN2, and 98 (58.3%) were identified by newborn screening. Infants identified by newborn screening had a lower age at final assessment (mean age 11.5 months) and greater mean final (SD) CHOP INTEND score (57.0 [10.0] points) compared with clinically diagnosed patients (23.1 months; 52.1 [8.0] points). All patients maintained/achieved motor milestones. 48.5% (n = 81/167) experienced at least one treatment-emergent adverse event (AE), and 31/167 patients (18.6%) experienced at least one serious AE, of which 8/31 were considered treatment-related. Conclusion These real-world outcomes support findings from the interventional trial program and demonstrate effectiveness of onasemnogene abeparvovec over a large patient population, which was consistent with initial clinical data and published 5-year follow-up data. Observed AEs were consistent with the established safety profile of onasemnogene abeparvovec.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Servais
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre & NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Neuromuscular Reference Center, Department of Paediatrics, University and University Hospital of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - John W Day
- Department of Neurology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Darryl C De Vivo
- Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Janbernd Kirschner
- Department for Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disease, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Department of Paediatric Neurology and Nemo Clinical Centre, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- The Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, University College London, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health & Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
- National Institute of Health Research, Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Crystal M Proud
- Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Perry B Shieh
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Eduardo F Tizzano
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Genetics, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Susana Quijano-Roy
- Garches Neuromuscular Reference Center, Child Neurology and ICU Department, APHP Raymond Poincare University Hospital (UVSQ Paris Saclay), Garches, France
| | | | - Kayoko Saito
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Eric Faulkner
- Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc., Bannockburn, IL, USA
- Institute for Precision and Individualized Therapy, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, IL, USA
- Genomics, Biotech and Emerging Medical Technology Institute, National Association of Managed Care Physicians, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | - Dheeraj Raju
- Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc., Bannockburn, IL, USA
| | | | - Rui Sun
- Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc., Bannockburn, IL, USA
| | - Frederick A Anderson
- Center for Outcomes Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Richard S Finkel
- Center for Experimental Neurotherapeutics, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
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25
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Keshavan N, Minczuk M, Viscomi C, Rahman S. Gene therapy for mitochondrial disorders. J Inherit Metab Dis 2024; 47:145-175. [PMID: 38171948 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
In this review, we detail the current state of application of gene therapy to primary mitochondrial disorders (PMDs). Recombinant adeno-associated virus-based (rAAV) gene replacement approaches for nuclear gene disorders have been undertaken successfully in more than ten preclinical mouse models of PMDs which has been made possible by the development of novel rAAV technologies that achieve more efficient organ targeting. So far, however, the greatest progress has been made for Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, for which phase 3 clinical trials of lenadogene nolparvovec demonstrated efficacy and good tolerability. Other methods of treating mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) disorders have also had traction, including refinements to nucleases that degrade mtDNA molecules with pathogenic variants, including transcription activator-like effector nucleases, zinc-finger nucleases, and meganucleases (mitoARCUS). rAAV-based approaches have been used successfully to deliver these nucleases in vivo in mice. Exciting developments in CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology have achieved in vivo gene editing in mouse models of PMDs due to nuclear gene defects and new CRISPR-free gene editing approaches have shown great potential for therapeutic application in mtDNA disorders. We conclude the review by discussing the challenges of translating gene therapy in patients both from the point of view of achieving adequate organ transduction as well as clinical trial design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandaki Keshavan
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Michal Minczuk
- MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Carlo Viscomi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy
| | - Shamima Rahman
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
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26
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Waldrop MA, Chagat S, Storey M, Meyer A, Iammarino M, Reash N, Alfano L, Lowes L, Noritz G, Prochoroff A, Rossman I, Ginsberg M, Mosher K, Broomall E, Bass N, Gushue C, Kotha K, Paul G, Shell R, Tsao CY, Mendell JR, Connolly AM. Continued safety and long-term effectiveness of onasemnogene abeparvovec in Ohio. Neuromuscul Disord 2024; 34:41-48. [PMID: 38142474 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2023.11.010] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
5q spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease caused by absence of the SMN1 gene with three FDA approved genetic therapies which significantly improve outcomes. The AAV9 mediated gene replacement therapy, onasemnogene abeparvovec, has the greatest potential for side effects. Here we report the safety and outcomes from 46 children treated with onasemnogene abeparvovec in the state of Ohio between December 2018 and January 2023. In our cohort, onasemnogene abeparvovec treatment remained safe and no child experienced any significant adverse events, including thrombotic microangiopathy, liver failure or death. All children experienced benefit, although the benefit in those with 2 copies of SMN2 was variable. 79 % of the children treated when symptomatic had a SMN2 modifying therapy added on. With careful screening and post treatment monitoring, onasemnogene abeparvovec is safe and effective for children with SMA in the state of Ohio, but more work needs to be done to ensure optimal outcomes for all children with 2 copies of SMN2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A Waldrop
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus OH, 43205, USA; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus OH, 43205, USA.
| | - Shannon Chagat
- Department of Neurology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Michael Storey
- Department of Pharmacy, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Alayne Meyer
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus OH, 43205, USA
| | - Megan Iammarino
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus OH, 43205, USA
| | - Natalie Reash
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus OH, 43205, USA
| | - Lindsay Alfano
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus OH, 43205, USA
| | - Linda Lowes
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus OH, 43205, USA
| | - Garey Noritz
- Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Andre Prochoroff
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Metro Health, Cleveland OH, USA
| | - Ian Rossman
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron OH, USA
| | - Matthew Ginsberg
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron OH, USA
| | - Kathryn Mosher
- Department of Pediatric Physiatry, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron OH, USA
| | - Eileen Broomall
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati OH, USA
| | - Nancy Bass
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital, Cleveland OH, USA
| | - Courtney Gushue
- Departments of Pediatrics and Pulmonology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus OH 43205, USA
| | - Kavitha Kotha
- Departments of Pediatrics and Pulmonology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus OH 43205, USA
| | - Grace Paul
- Departments of Pediatrics and Pulmonology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus OH 43205, USA
| | - Richard Shell
- Departments of Pediatrics and Pulmonology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus OH 43205, USA
| | - Chang-Yong Tsao
- Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus OH, 43205, USA
| | - Jerry R Mendell
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus OH, 43205, USA; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus OH, 43205, USA
| | - Anne M Connolly
- Center for Gene Therapy, Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus OH, 43205, USA; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus OH, 43205, USA
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27
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Zanoteli E, Araujo APDQC, Becker MM, Fortes CPDD, França MC, Machado-Costa MC, Marques W, Matsui Jr C, Mendonça RH, Nardes F, Oliveira ASB, Pessoa ALS, Saute JAM, Sgobbi P, Van der Linden H, Gurgel-Giannetti J. Consensus from the Brazilian Academy of Neurology for the diagnosis, genetic counseling, and use of disease-modifying therapies in 5q spinal muscular atrophy. ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA 2024; 82:1-18. [PMID: 38316428 PMCID: PMC10843933 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1779503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy linked to chromosome 5 (SMA-5q) is an autosomal recessive genetic disease caused by mutations in the SMN1. SMA-5q is characterized by progressive degeneration of the spinal cord and bulbar motor neurons, causing severe motor and respiratory impairment with reduced survival, especially in its more severe clinical forms. In recent years, highly effective disease-modifying therapies have emerged, either acting by regulating the splicing of exon 7 of the SMN2 gene or adding a copy of the SMN1 gene through gene therapy, providing a drastic change in the natural history of the disease. In this way, developing therapeutic guides and expert consensus becomes essential to direct the use of these therapies in clinical practice. This consensus, prepared by Brazilian experts, aimed to review the main available disease-modifying therapies, critically analyze the results of clinical studies, and provide recommendations for their use in clinical practice for patients with SMA-5q. This consensus also addresses aspects related to diagnosis, genetic counseling, and follow-up of patients under drug treatment. Thus, this consensus provides valuable information regarding the current management of SMA-5q, helping therapeutic decisions in clinical practice and promoting additional gains in outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmar Zanoteli
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Neurologia, São Paulo SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Michele Michelin Becker
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Departamento de Pediatria, Unidade de Neurologia Infantil, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil.
| | | | - Marcondes Cavalcante França
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Departamento de Neurologia, Campinas SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Wilson Marques
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Departamento de Neurociências e Ciências do Comportamento, Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil.
| | - Ciro Matsui Jr
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Neurologia, São Paulo SP, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Holanda Mendonça
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Neurologia, São Paulo SP, Brazil.
| | - Flávia Nardes
- Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Instituto de Puericultura e Pediatria Martagão Gesteira, Rio de Janeiro RJ, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Jonas Alex Morales Saute
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Faculdade de Medicina, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Serviços de Genética Médica e de Neurologia, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil.
| | - Paulo Sgobbi
- Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Departamento de Neurologia e Neurocirurgia, São Paulo SP, Brazil.
| | - Hélio Van der Linden
- Centro de Reabilitação Dr. Henrique Santillo, Serviço de Neurologia Infantil e Neurofisiologia, Goiânia GO, Brazil.
| | - Juliana Gurgel-Giannetti
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Faculdade de Medicina, Departamento de Pediatria, Belo Horizonte MG, Brazil.
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McMillan HJ, Lochmüller H. Sustained clinical benefit following systemic gene replacement therapy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve 2024; 69:4-6. [PMID: 37969074 DOI: 10.1002/mus.28000] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
See article on pages 93–98 in this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugh J McMillan
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hanns Lochmüller
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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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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Schäfer-Korting M. Looking to the Future: Drug Delivery and Targeting in the Prophylaxis and Therapy of Severe and Chronic Diseases. Handb Exp Pharmacol 2024; 284:389-411. [PMID: 37861719 DOI: 10.1007/164_2023_696] [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: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
High molecular weight actives and cell-based therapy have the potential to revolutionize the prophylaxis and therapy of severe diseases. Yet, the size and nature of the agents - proteins, nucleic acids, cells - challenge drug delivery and thus formulation development. Moreover, off-target effects may result in severe adverse drug reactions. This makes delivery and targeting an essential component of high-end drug development. Loading to nanoparticles facilitates delivery and enables targeted mRNA vaccines and tumor therapeutics. Stem cell therapy opens up a new horizon in diabetes type 1 among other domains which may enhance the quality of life and life expectancy. Cell encapsulation protects transplants against the recipient's immune system, may ensure long-term efficacy, avoid severe adverse reactions, and simplify the management of rare and fatal diseases.The knowledge gained so far encourages to widen the spectrum of potential indications. Co-development of the active agent and the vehicle has the potential to accelerate drug research. One recommended starting point is the use of computational approaches. Transferability of preclinical data to humans will benefit from performing studies first on validated human 3D disease models reflecting the target tissue, followed by studies on validated animal models. This makes approaching a new level in drug development a multidisciplinary but ultimately worthwhile and attainable challenge. Intense monitoring of the patients after drug approval and periodic reporting to physicians and scientists remain essential for the safe use of drugs especially in rare diseases and pave future research.
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Day JW, Mendell JR, Burghes AH, van Olden RW, Adhikary RR, Dilly KW. Adeno-associated virus serotype 9 antibody seroprevalence for patients in the United States with spinal muscular atrophy. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 31:101117. [PMID: 37822718 PMCID: PMC10562739 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.101117] [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: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Onasemnogene abeparvovec is a recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (AAV9) vector-based gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Patients with elevated titers of anti-AAV9 antibodies (AAV9-Ab) should not receive onasemnogene abeparvovec because of potential safety and efficacy implications. We conducted a retrospective study to describe the seroprevalence of anti-AAV9 binding antibodies for pediatric patients with SMA in the United States. At initial testing, 13.0% (115 of 882) of patients (mean [SD] age, 26.29 [33.66] weeks) had elevated AAV9-Ab titers. The prevalence of elevated titers decreased as age increased, with 18.2% (92 of 507) of patients ≤3 months old but only 1.1% (1 of 92) of patients ≥21 months old having elevated titers. This suggests transplacental maternal transfer of antibodies. No patterns of geographic variations in AAV9-Ab prevalence were confirmed. Elevated AAV9-Ab titers in children <6 weeks old decreased in all circumstances. Lower magnitudes of elevated titers declined more rapidly than greater magnitudes. Retesting was completed at the discretion of the treating clinician, so age at testing and time between tests varied. AAV9-Ab retesting should be considered when patients have elevated titers, and elevations at a young age are not a deterrent to eventual onasemnogene abeparvovec administration. Early disease-modifying treatment for SMA leads to optimal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- John W. Day
- Department of Neurology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Jerry R. Mendell
- Center for Gene Therapy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Arthur H.M. Burghes
- Department of Neurology and Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Rishi R. Adhikary
- CONEXTS-Real World Evidence, Novartis Healthcare Private Limited, Hyderabad, India
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Al-Taie A, Köseoğlu A. Evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy and tolerability of current drug treatments on the clinical outcomes of paediatric spinal muscular atrophy type 1: A systematic review. Paediatr Respir Rev 2023; 48:65-71. [PMID: 37563072 DOI: 10.1016/j.prrv.2023.06.004] [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: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe hereditary lower motor neuron disorder characterised by degeneration of alpha motor neurons in the spinal cord, resulting in progressive weakness and paralysis of proximal muscles. A systematic literature search was carried out by using PRISMA guidelines and searching through different databases that could provide findings of evidence on the health outcomes of the approved therapies for the management of paediatric SMA type 1 regarding efficacy with follow-up in terms of motor and respiratory functions and the tolerability and incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) post-treatment from real-world publications. Half of the publications (50%) had a prospective observational design. Eight studies (66.7%) assessed nusinersen, and three studies (25%) assessed onasemnogene abeparvovec with a duration of follow-up ranging from 6 months to 3 years to evaluate the motor and respiratory functions using different assessment tools, hospitalisation rates, and the tolerability and incidence of ADRs post-treatment. The three currently approved treatments for SMA type 1 provided good support and health outcomes in terms of motor function, respiratory outcomes, reduction of hospitalisations, and improvement of survival. Nevertheless, uncertainties regarding continued improvement after long-term illness and the generalizability of results are still unknown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anmar Al-Taie
- Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istinye University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
| | - Aygül Köseoğlu
- Istanbul Medipol University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye
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Toro W, Yang M, Georgieva M, Anderson A, LaMarca N, Patel A, Akbarnejad H, Dabbous O. Patient and Caregiver Outcomes After Onasemnogene Abeparvovec Treatment: Findings from the Cure SMA 2021 Membership Survey. Adv Ther 2023; 40:5315-5337. [PMID: 37776479 PMCID: PMC10611830 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-023-02685-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: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Onasemnogene abeparvovec (OA) is the only gene replacement therapy currently approved for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) treatment. We sought to assess real-world patient and caregiver outcomes after OA treatment for SMA. METHODS Patients who received OA were identified from the 2021 Cure SMA Membership Survey. Those treated at 6-23 months of age were matched to non-patients treated with OA on the basis of age at the time of survey and survival motor neuron 2 gene copy number. Patient characteristics, motor milestones, and resource and supportive care use, as well as caregiver proxy-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL), were described. Caregiver unmet needs and HRQOL were also assessed. RESULTS Of the 614 patients in the survey, 64 received OA, and 17 were matched with 28 non-OA-treated patients. In general, a greater percentage of OA-treated patients achieved various motor milestones, including 100% sitting without support and 58.8% walking with assistance. OA-treated patients also had numerically lower rates of hospitalization and surgery. None required tracheostomy with a ventilator. The rate of using oxygen or a breathing machine for more than 16 h was also lower for OA-treated patients. OA-treated patients had less frequent trouble swallowing. HRQOL was reported to be similar to non-OA-treated patients. Caregivers of OA-treated patients reported better patient mobility scores and less work impairment. CONCLUSIONS The study suggests that treatment with OA is associated with greater rates of motor milestone achievements and less resource and supportive care use for patients with SMA treated at 6-23 months of age in the real world. For caregivers, it may also potentially reduce unmet needs, improve HRQOL, and reduce work impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Toro
- Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc., 2275 Half Day Road, Suite 200, Bannockburn, IL, 60015, USA.
| | - Min Yang
- Analysis Group, Inc., Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Nicole LaMarca
- Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc., 2275 Half Day Road, Suite 200, Bannockburn, IL, 60015, USA
| | - Anish Patel
- Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc., 2275 Half Day Road, Suite 200, Bannockburn, IL, 60015, USA
| | | | - Omar Dabbous
- Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc., 2275 Half Day Road, Suite 200, Bannockburn, IL, 60015, USA
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Ricci M, Cicala G, Capasso A, Coratti G, Fiori S, Cutrona C, D'Amico A, Sansone VA, Bruno C, Messina S, Mongini T, Coccia M, Siciliano G, Pegoraro E, Masson R, Filosto M, Comi GP, Corti S, Ronchi D, Maggi L, D'Angelo MG, Vacchiano V, Ticci C, Ruggiero L, Verriello L, Ricci FS, Berardinelli AL, Maioli MA, Garibaldi M, Nigro V, Previtali SC, Pera MC, Tizzano E, Pane M, Tiziano FD, Mercuri E. Clinical Phenotype of Pediatric and Adult Patients With Spinal Muscular Atrophy With Four SMN2 Copies: Are They Really All Stable? Ann Neurol 2023; 94:1126-1135. [PMID: 37695206 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to provide an overview of the clinical phenotypes associated with 4 SMN2 copies. METHODS Clinical phenotypes were analyzed in all the patients with 4 SMN2 copies as part of a nationwide effort including all the Italian pediatric and adult reference centers for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). RESULTS The cohort includes 169 patients (102 men and 67 women) with confirmed 4 SMN2 copies (mean age at last follow-up = 36.9 ± 19 years). Six of the 169 patients were presymptomatic, 8 were classified as type II, 145 as type III (38 type IIIA and 107 type IIIB), and 8 as type IV. The remaining 2 patients were asymptomatic adults identified because of a familial case. The cross-sectional functional data showed a reduction of scores with increasing age. Over 35% of the type III and 25% of the type IV lost ambulation (mean age = 26.8 years ± 16.3 SD). The risk of loss of ambulation was significantly associated with SMA type (p < 0.0001), with patients with IIIB and IV less likely to lose ambulation compared to type IIIA. There was an overall gender effect with a smaller number of women and a lower risk for women to lose ambulation. This was significant in the adult (p = 0.009) but not in the pediatric cohort (p = 0.43). INTERPRETATION Our results expand the existing literature on natural history of 4 SMN2 copies confirming the variability of phenotypes in untreated patients, ranging from type II to type IV and an overall reduction of functional scores with increasing age. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:1126-1135.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Ricci
- Pediatric Neurology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Centro Clinico Nemo, Fondazione Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianpaolo Cicala
- Pediatric Neurology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Centro Clinico Nemo, Fondazione Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Capasso
- Pediatric Neurology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Centro Clinico Nemo, Fondazione Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Coratti
- Pediatric Neurology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Centro Clinico Nemo, Fondazione Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Fiori
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Section of Genomic Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Costanza Cutrona
- Pediatric Neurology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Adele D'Amico
- Department of Neurosciences, Unit of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria A Sansone
- The NEMO Center in Milan, Neurorehabilitation Unit, University of Milan, ASST Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Bruno
- Center of Translational and Experimental Myology, and Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy
| | - Sonia Messina
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Tiziana Mongini
- AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, presidio Molinette e OIRM (SS Malattie neuromuscolari e SC Neuropsichiatria Infantile), Turin, Italy
| | - Michela Coccia
- Department of Neurological Sciences, AOU Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Torrette, Ancona, Italy
| | - Gabriele Siciliano
- AOU Pisana (Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine), Neurology Unit, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Riccardo Masson
- Developmental Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Filosto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia (Italy), NeMO-Brescia Clinical Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giacomo P Comi
- Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Dino Ferrari Center, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Corti
- Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Dino Ferrari Center, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Dario Ronchi
- Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Dino Ferrari Center, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Maggi
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta Developmental Neurology Unit, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria G D'Angelo
- NeuroMuscular Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. Medea, Lecco, Italy
| | - Veria Vacchiano
- UOC Clinica Neurologica, IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Chiara Ticci
- Metabolic Unit, A. Meyer Children's Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Lucia Ruggiero
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Verriello
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University Hospital Santa Maria della Misericordia, Udine, Italy
| | - Federica S Ricci
- AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, presidio Molinette e OIRM (SS Malattie neuromuscolari e SC Neuropsichiatria Infantile), Turin, Italy
| | | | | | - Matteo Garibaldi
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Sapienza University of Rome, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Nigro
- Medical Genetics and Cardiomyology Unit, Department of Precision Medicine, Università degli Studi della Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Napoli, Italy
- TIGEM, Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Stefano C Previtali
- Institute of Experimental Neurology (INSPE), Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Carmela Pera
- Pediatric Neurology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Centro Clinico Nemo, Fondazione Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Eduardo Tizzano
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Genetics, Medicine Genetics Group, VHIR, Hospital Vall Hebron Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marika Pane
- Pediatric Neurology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Centro Clinico Nemo, Fondazione Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Danilo Tiziano
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Section of Genomic Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Science and Infectious Diseases, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Pediatric Neurology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Centro Clinico Nemo, Fondazione Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Johannsen J, Weiss D, Driemeyer J, Olfe J, Stute F, Müller F, Schütt M, Trollmann R, Kölbel H, Schara-Schmidt U, Kirschner J, Pechmann A, Blaschek A, Horber V, Denecke J. High-sensitive cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) concentrations in newborns diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1259293. [PMID: 38034835 PMCID: PMC10687177 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1259293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic neurodegenerative disease leading to muscular weakness and premature death. Three therapeutic options are currently available including gene replacement therapy (GRT), which is potentially cardiotoxic. High-sensitive cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) is widely used to monitor potential cardiac contraindications or side effects of GRT, but reference data in healthy newborns are limited and lacking in neonates with SMA. The aim of this study is to determine the range of pre-therapeutic hs-cTnI concentrations in neonates with SMA and to provide guidance for the assessment of these values. Methods Hs-cTnI levels, genetic and clinical data of 30 newborns (age range 2-26 days) with SMA were retrospectively collected from 6 German neuromuscular centers. In addition, hs-cTnI levels were measured in 16 neonates without SMA. Results The median hs-cTnI concentration in neonates with SMA was 39.5 ng/L (range: 4-1205). In 16 newborns with SMA, hs-cTnI levels were above the test-specific upper reference limit (URL). Exploratory statistical analysis revealed no relevant correlation between hs-cTnI levels and gender, gestational age, mode of delivery, SMN2 copy number, symptoms of SMA or abnormal cardiac findings. Discussion Our results suggest higher hs-cTnI plasma levels in newborns with and without SMA compared to assay-specific reference values generated in adults. Given the wide range of hs-cTnI values in neonates with SMA, hs-cTnI levels must be determined before treatment in each patient and post-treatment elevations should be interpreted in the context of the course rather than as individual values.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessika Johannsen
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Deike Weiss
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Joenna Driemeyer
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jakob Olfe
- Clinic for Children’s Heart Medicine and Adult Congenital Heart Disease, University Heart and Vascular Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Fridrike Stute
- Clinic for Children’s Heart Medicine and Adult Congenital Heart Disease, University Heart and Vascular Center, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ferdinand Müller
- Department of Medical Biometry and Epidemiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marion Schütt
- Department of Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Regina Trollmann
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Heike Kölbel
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Centre for Neuromuscular Disorders, Center for Translational Neuro and Behavioral Sciences, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Schara-Schmidt
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Centre for Neuromuscular Disorders, Center for Translational Neuro and Behavioral Sciences, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Janbernd Kirschner
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Astrid Pechmann
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Astrid Blaschek
- Dr. v. Hauner Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, LMU Munich University Hospital, Munich, Germany
| | - Veronka Horber
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, University Children’s Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonas Denecke
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Vokinger KN, Glaus CEG, Kesselheim AS. Approval and therapeutic value of gene therapies in the US and Europe. Gene Ther 2023; 30:756-760. [PMID: 37935853 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-023-00402-4] [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: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapies are a fast-growing area of innovation and hold promise for the treatment of many diseases currently with unmet medical need. To better understand the clinical importance of the current landscape of approved gene therapies, we conducted a systematic analysis of the approved gene therapies and their added therapeutic value. Through December 2022, 13 gene therapies have been approved in the US, 15 in the EU, and 9 in Switzerland. Nine gene therapies have been approved in all three jurisdictions, and 11 in both the US and EU. Among the 11 gene therapies approved in more than one jurisdiction, there were differences in the approved indications among the regulatory agencies, mostly the European drug agencies (EMA and Swissmedic) being more restrictive. Among the gene therapies with available therapeutic ratings, approximately two-thirds had high added therapeutic value, which is substantially higher than the average prevalence of high added therapeutic value ratings among new drugs and biologics (approximately one-third). However, therapies with high added therapeutic value will not be useful for patients if excessive prices limit access to them. Drug pricing reforms should address gene therapies to ensure access to new gene therapies that can offer important therapeutic value to patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin N Vokinger
- Program On Regulation, Therapeutics, And Law (PORTAL), Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Institute of Law, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Aaron S Kesselheim
- Program On Regulation, Therapeutics, And Law (PORTAL), Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Mizuno T, Kanouchi T, Tamura Y, Hirata K, Emoto R, Suzuki T, Kashimada K, Morio T. Changes in electrophysiological findings of spinal muscular atrophy type I after the administration of nusinersen and onasemnogene abeparvovec: two case reports. BMC Neurol 2023; 23:392. [PMID: 37907848 PMCID: PMC10617045 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-023-03420-2] [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: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, there have been significant advances in the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Although clinical improvement in patients with SMA after the treatment has been reported, changes in electrophysiological findings, especially needle electromyography (EMG), have rarely been reported. Herein, we report the posttreatment changes in EMG and nerve conduction study findings over time in two patients with SMA type I. CASE PRESENTATION Patient 1: A 2.5-year-old girl was diagnosed with SMA type I at 1 month of age. She received nusinersen four times and onasemnogene abeparvovec (OA) was administered at 6 months of age. The compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes of the median and tibial nerves increased over time. The needle EMG after the treatment showed high-amplitude motor unit potentials (MUPs) suggestive of reinnervation during voluntary contraction, which were not seen before the treatment. However, fibrillation potentials at rest were still seen after the treatment. Patient 2: A 2-year-old girl was diagnosed with SMA type I at 6 months of age. She had received nusinersen two times and OA was administered at 7 months of age. The CMAP amplitudes and the MUPs presented similar changes as presented in Case 1. CONCLUSION This is the first report on the changes in needle EMG findings after treatment in patients with SMA type I. These findings suggested that peripheral nerve reinnervation occurred after the treatment, although active denervation was still present. The accumulation of these findings will be important for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment for SMA in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoko Mizuno
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1- 5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan.
| | - Tadashi Kanouchi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan
| | - Yumie Tamura
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1- 5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan
| | - Ko Hirata
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1- 5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan
| | - Runa Emoto
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1- 5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan
| | - Tomonori Suzuki
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1- 5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan
| | - Kenichi Kashimada
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1- 5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Morio
- Department of Pediatrics and Developmental Biology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1- 5-45, Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8519, Japan
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Shen Z, Li M, He F, Huang C, Zheng Y, Wang Z, Ma S, Chen L, Liu Z, Zheng H, Xiong F. Intravenous Administration of an AAV9 Vector Ubiquitously Expressing C1orf194 Gene Improved CMT-Like Neuropathy in C1orf194 -/- Mice. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:1835-1846. [PMID: 37843769 PMCID: PMC10684460 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01429-6] [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] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease, also known as hereditary motor sensory neuropathy, is a group of rare genetically heterogenous diseases characterized by progressive muscle weakness and atrophy, along with sensory deficits. Despite extensive pre-clinical and clinical research, no FDA-approved therapy is available for any CMT type. We previously identified C1ORF194, a novel causative gene for CMT, and found that both C1orf194 knock-in (I121N) and knockout mice developed clinical phenotypes similar to those in patients with CMT. Encouraging results of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy have stimulated the use of AAVs as vehicles for CMT gene therapy. Here, we present a gene therapy approach to restore C1orf194 expression in a knockout background. We used C1orf194-/- mice treated with AAV serotype 9 (AAV9) vector carrying a codon-optimized WT human C1ORF194 cDNA whose expression was driven by a ubiquitously expressed chicken β-actin promoter with a CMV enhancer. Our preclinical evaluation demonstrated the efficacy of AAV-mediated gene therapy in improving sensory and motor abilities, thus achieving largely normal gross motor performance and minimal signs of neuropathy, on the basis of neurophysiological and histopathological evaluation in C1orf194-/- mice administered AAV gene therapy. Our findings advance the techniques for delivering therapeutic interventions to individuals with CMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongrui Shen
- Department of Medical Genetics, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meiyi Li
- Department of Medical Genetics, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fei He
- Department of Medical Genetics, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingchun Zheng
- Department of Medical Genetics, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhikui Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shunfei Ma
- Department of Medical Genetics, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Medical Genetics, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhengshan Liu
- Division of Translational Neuroscience in Schizophrenia, Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Hui Zheng
- Department of Neurology, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Fu Xiong
- Department of Medical Genetics, Experimental Education/Administration Center, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Single Cell Technology and Application, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
- Department of Fetal Medicine and Prenatal Diagnosis, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Gowda VL, Jungbluth H, Wraige E. Gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy. Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed 2023; 108:347-350. [PMID: 37423714 DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2023-325359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Heinz Jungbluth
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Evelina London Children's Hospital, London, UK
- Randall Division for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Muscle Signalling Section, King's College, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Wraige
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Evelina London Children's Hospital, London, UK
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McIntyre M, Dunn L, David J, Devine C, Smith BA. Daily Quantity and Kinematic Characteristics of Leg Movement in a Child With SMA (2 Copies SMN2). Pediatr Phys Ther 2023; 35:486-492. [PMID: 37747987 DOI: 10.1097/pep.0000000000001053] [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] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This case report describes daily leg movement quantity and kinematic characteristics of a child with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) with 2 copies of SMN2, who was symptomatic at the time of treatment with disease-modifying therapies. KEY POINTS Compared with infants with typical development, this child had differing values for leg movement quantity, duration, average acceleration, and peak acceleration measured across full days in the natural environment by wearable sensors. In addition, movement quantity and clinician-rated outcomes increased with age. CONCLUSIONS Wearable sensors recorded movement quantity and kinematic characteristics in a treated infant with SMA (2 copies SMN2). These movement parameters were consistently different compared anecdotally with published data from infants with typical development, demonstrating their potential to add unique and complementary information to the assessment of motor function in SMA. RECOMMENDATIONS Larger longitudinal studies are needed to determine the utility of wearable sensors as an assessment tool and an early predictor of motor outcomes in children with SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa McIntyre
- Department of Pediatrics (Dr McIntyre), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Department of Rehabilitation Services (Dr Dunn and Mr David), Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Developmental Neuroscience and Neurogenetics Program (Dr Smith), The Saban Research Institute, Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Department of Pediatrics (Dr Smith), Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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Toro W, Yang M, Georgieva M, Song W, Patel A, Jiang AX, Zhao A, LaMarca N, Dabbous O. Health Care Resource Utilization and Costs for Patients with Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Findings from a Retrospective US Claims Database Analysis. Adv Ther 2023; 40:4589-4605. [PMID: 37587305 PMCID: PMC10499678 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-023-02621-y] [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: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurogenic disorder associated with progressive loss of muscle function, respiratory failure, and premature mortality. This study aimed to describe and compare real-world health care resource utilization (HCRU) and costs for US patients with SMA treated with disease-modifying treatments, including onasemnogene abeparvovec, nusinersen, and/or risdiplam. METHODS This study used claims and structured electronic medical record data from the HealthVerity claims database (January 1, 2017-March 31, 2021). Eligible patients were aged ≤ 2 years at index (treatment initiation or switch), diagnosed with SMA, had ≥ 1 pharmacy/medical claim for onasemnogene abeparvovec, nusinersen, and/or risdiplam, and continuous enrollment ≥ 1 month pre- and ≥ 2 months post-index. SMA-related HCRU and costs during the study period (> 12 months post-index) were compared between treatment groups before and after propensity score weighting. Costs were adjusted to 2021 USD. RESULTS Of 74 included patients, 62 (83.8%) received nusinersen and 12 (16.2%) received onasemnogene abeparvovec (monotherapy, n = 9; onasemnogene abeparvovec after nusinersen [switching], n = 3). After weighting, nusinersen-treated patients had greater annual numbers of inpatient (mean 5.3 nusinersen vs. 1.8 onasemnogene abeparvovec) and emergency department (mean 3.0 nusinersen vs. 1.5 onasemnogene abeparvovec; p < 0.05) visits, and greater annual SMA-related medical costs (mean $78,446 nusinersen vs. $29,438 onasemnogene abeparvovec; mean difference $49,007, p < 0.05) than onasemnogene abeparvovec-treated patients. Onasemnogene abeparvovec-treated patients incurred greater SMA-treatment pharmacy costs than nusinersen-treated patients (mean $2,241,875 onasemnogene abeparvovec vs. $693,191 nusinersen; mean difference $1,548,684, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS SMA is associated with substantial economic burden. Patients treated with onasemnogene abeparvovec had greater SMA treatment-related pharmacy costs but lower SMA-related HCRU and medical costs compared with patients receiving nusinersen monotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Toro
- Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc., 2275 Half Day Road, Suite 200, Bannockburn, IL, 60015, USA.
| | - Min Yang
- Analysis Group, Inc., Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Wei Song
- Analysis Group, Inc., Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anish Patel
- Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc., 2275 Half Day Road, Suite 200, Bannockburn, IL, 60015, USA
| | | | | | - Nicole LaMarca
- Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc., 2275 Half Day Road, Suite 200, Bannockburn, IL, 60015, USA
| | - Omar Dabbous
- Novartis Gene Therapies, Inc., 2275 Half Day Road, Suite 200, Bannockburn, IL, 60015, USA
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Fay A. Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A (Now) Treatable Neurodegenerative Disease. Pediatr Clin North Am 2023; 70:963-977. [PMID: 37704354 DOI: 10.1016/j.pcl.2023.06.002] [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] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a progressive disease of the lower motor neurons associated with recessive loss of the SMN1 gene, and which leads to worsening weakness and disability, and is fatal in its most severe forms. Over the past six years, three treatments have emerged, two drugs that modify exon splicing and one gene therapy, which have transformed the management of this disease. When treated pre-symptomatically, many children show normal early motor development, and the benefits extend from the newborn period to adulthood. Similar treatment approaches are now under investigation for rare types of SMA associated with genes beyond SMN1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Fay
- University of California, San Francisco, 1875 4th Street., Suite 5A, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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43
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Nair MA, Niu Z, Madigan NN, Shin AY, Brault JS, Staff NP, Klein CJ. Clinical trials in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorders: a retrospective and preclinical assessment. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1251885. [PMID: 37808507 PMCID: PMC10556688 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1251885] [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: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to evaluate the progression of clinical and preclinical trials in Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disorders. Background CMT has historically been managed symptomatically and with genetic counseling. The evolution of molecular and pathologic understanding holds a therapeutic promise in gene-targeted therapies. Methods ClinicalTrials.gov from December 1999 to June 2022 was data extracted for CMT with preclinical animal gene therapy trials also reviewed by PubMed search. Results The number of active trials was 1 in 1999 and 286 in 2022. Academic settings accounted for 91% and pharmaceutical companies 9%. Of the pharmaceutical and academic trials, 38% and 28%, respectively, were controlled, randomized, and double-blinded. Thirty-two countries participated: the United States accounted for 26% (75/286). In total, 86% of the trials were classified as therapeutic: 50% procedural (21% wrist/elbow surgery; 22% shock wave and hydrodissection therapy), 23% investigational drugs, 15% devices, and 11% physical therapy. Sixty-seven therapeutic trials (49%) were designated phases 1-2 and 51% phases 3-4. The remaining 14% represent non-therapeutic trials: diagnostic testing (3%), functional outcomes (4%), natural history (4%), and standard of care (3%). One-hundred and three (36%) resulted in publications. Phase I human pharmaceutical trials are focusing on the safety of small molecule therapies (n = 8) and AAV and non-viral gene therapy (n = 3). Preclinical animal gene therapy studies include 11 different CMT forms including viral, CRISPR-Cas9, and nanoparticle delivery. Conclusion Current CMT trials are exploring procedural and molecular therapeutic options with substantial participation of the pharmaceutical industry worldwide. Emerging drug therapies directed at molecular pathogenesis are being advanced in human clinical trials; however, the majority remain within animal investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malavika A. Nair
- Department of Graduate Education, Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Zhiyv Niu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Rochester, MN, United States
- Department of Clinical Genomics, Rochester, MN, United States
| | | | - Alexander Y. Shin
- Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Jeffrey S. Brault
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | | | - Christopher J. Klein
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Rochester, MN, United States
- Department of Neurology, Rochester, MN, United States
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Asher D, Dai D, Klimchak AC, Sedita LE, Gooch KL, Rodino-Klapac L. Paving the way for future gene therapies: A case study of scientific spillover from delandistrogene moxeparvovec. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2023; 30:474-483. [PMID: 37674905 PMCID: PMC10477757 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2023.08.002] [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: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Gene therapies have potential to improve outcomes of severe diseases after only a single administration. Novel therapies are continually being developed using knowledge gained from prior successes, a concept known as scientific spillover. Gene therapy advancement requires extensive development at each stage: preclinical work to create and evaluate vehicles for delivery of the therapy, design of clinical development programs, and establishment of a large-scale manufacturing process. Pioneering gene therapies are generating spillover as investigators confront myriad issues specific to this treatment modality. These include frameworks for construct engineering, dose evaluation, patient selection, outcome assessment, and safety monitoring. Consequently, the benefits of these therapies extend beyond offering knowledge for treating any one disease to establishing new platforms and paradigms that will accelerate advancement of future gene therapies. This impact is even more profound in rare diseases, where developing therapies in isolation may not be possible. This review describes some instances of scientific spillover in healthcare, and specifically gene therapy, using delandistrogene moxeparvovec (SRP-9001), a gene therapy recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of ambulatory pediatric patients aged 4-5 years with Duchenne muscular dystrophy with a confirmed mutation in the DMD gene, as a case study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damon Asher
- Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc., 215 First Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Daisy Dai
- Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc., 215 First Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Alexa C. Klimchak
- Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc., 215 First Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Lauren E. Sedita
- Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc., 215 First Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
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Yang YS, Lin C, Ma H, Xie J, Kaplan FS, Gao G, Shim JH. AAV-Mediated Targeting of the Activin A-ACVR1 R206H Signaling in Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1364. [PMID: 37759764 PMCID: PMC10526456 DOI: 10.3390/biom13091364] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is an ultra-rare genetic disorder characterized by progressive disabling heterotopic ossification (HO) at extra-skeletal sites. Here, we developed adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy that suppresses trauma-induced HO in FOP mice harboring a heterozygous allele of human ACVR1R206H (Acvr1R206H/+) while limiting the expression in non-skeletal organs such as the brain, heart, lung, liver, and kidney. AAV gene therapy carrying the combination of codon-optimized human ACVR1 (ACVR1opt) and artificial miRNAs targeting Activin A and its receptor ACVR1R206H ablated the aberrant activation of BMP-Smad1/5 signaling and the osteogenic differentiation of Acvr1R206H/+ skeletal progenitors. The local delivery of AAV gene therapy to HO-causing cells in the skeletal muscle resulted in a significant decrease in endochondral bone formation in Acvr1R206H/+ mice. These mice showed little to no expression in a major AAV-targeted organ, the liver, due to liver-abundant miR-122-mediated repression. Thus, AAV gene therapy is a promising therapeutic strategy to explore in suppressing HO in FOP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeon-Suk Yang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (Y.-S.Y.); (C.L.)
| | - Chujiao Lin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (Y.-S.Y.); (C.L.)
| | - Hong Ma
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (H.M.); (J.X.)
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
- Viral Vector Core, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Jun Xie
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (H.M.); (J.X.)
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
- Viral Vector Core, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Frederick S. Kaplan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
- Department of Medicine, The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- The Center for Research in FOP and Related Disorders, The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (H.M.); (J.X.)
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
- Viral Vector Core, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
| | - Jae-Hyuck Shim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (Y.-S.Y.); (C.L.)
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA; (H.M.); (J.X.)
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
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Lapp HS, Freigang M, Hagenacker T, Weiler M, Wurster CD, Günther R. Biomarkers in 5q-associated spinal muscular atrophy-a narrative review. J Neurol 2023; 270:4157-4178. [PMID: 37289324 PMCID: PMC10421827 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11787-y] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
5q-associated spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic disease caused by mutations in the SMN1 gene, resulting in a loss of functional SMN protein and consecutive degeneration of motor neurons in the ventral horn. The disease is clinically characterized by proximal paralysis and secondary skeletal muscle atrophy. New disease-modifying drugs driving SMN gene expression have been developed in the past decade and have revolutionized SMA treatment. The rise of treatment options led to a concomitant need of biomarkers for therapeutic guidance and an improved disease monitoring. Intensive efforts have been undertaken to develop suitable markers, and numerous candidate biomarkers for diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive values have been identified. The most promising markers include appliance-based measures such as electrophysiological and imaging-based indices as well as molecular markers including SMN-related proteins and markers of neurodegeneration and skeletal muscle integrity. However, none of the proposed biomarkers have been validated for the clinical routine yet. In this narrative review, we discuss the most promising candidate biomarkers for SMA and expand the discussion by addressing the largely unfolded potential of muscle integrity markers, especially in the context of upcoming muscle-targeting therapies. While the discussed candidate biomarkers hold potential as either diagnostic (e.g., SMN-related biomarkers), prognostic (e.g., markers of neurodegeneration, imaging-based markers), predictive (e.g., electrophysiological markers) or response markers (e.g., muscle integrity markers), no single measure seems to be suitable to cover all biomarker categories. Hence, a combination of different biomarkers and clinical assessments appears to be the most expedient solution at the time.
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Affiliation(s)
- H S Lapp
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - M Freigang
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - T Hagenacker
- Department of Neurology and Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Science (C-TNBS), University Medicine Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - M Weiler
- Department of Neurology, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - C D Wurster
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - René Günther
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus at TU Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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Doman JL, Pandey S, Neugebauer ME, An M, Davis JR, Randolph PB, McElroy A, Gao XD, Raguram A, Richter MF, Everette KA, Banskota S, Tian K, Tao YA, Tolar J, Osborn MJ, Liu DR. Phage-assisted evolution and protein engineering yield compact, efficient prime editors. Cell 2023; 186:3983-4002.e26. [PMID: 37657419 PMCID: PMC10482982 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Prime editing enables a wide variety of precise genome edits in living cells. Here we use protein evolution and engineering to generate prime editors with reduced size and improved efficiency. Using phage-assisted evolution, we improved editing efficiencies of compact reverse transcriptases by up to 22-fold and generated prime editors that are 516-810 base pairs smaller than the current-generation editor PEmax. We discovered that different reverse transcriptases specialize in different types of edits and used this insight to generate reverse transcriptases that outperform PEmax and PEmaxΔRNaseH, the truncated editor used in dual-AAV delivery systems. Finally, we generated Cas9 domains that improve prime editing. These resulting editors (PE6a-g) enhance therapeutically relevant editing in patient-derived fibroblasts and primary human T-cells. PE6 variants also enable longer insertions to be installed in vivo following dual-AAV delivery, achieving 40% loxP insertion in the cortex of the murine brain, a 24-fold improvement compared to previous state-of-the-art prime editors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan L Doman
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Smriti Pandey
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Monica E Neugebauer
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Meirui An
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jessie R Davis
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Peyton B Randolph
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amber McElroy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Xin D Gao
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Aditya Raguram
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Michelle F Richter
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kelcee A Everette
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Samagya Banskota
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn Tian
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Y Allen Tao
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jakub Tolar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Mark J Osborn
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - David R Liu
- Merkin Institute of Transformative Technologies in Healthcare, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA; Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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48
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Bitetti I, Lanzara V, Margiotta G, Varone A. Onasemnogene abeparvovec gene replacement therapy for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy: a real-world observational study. Gene Ther 2023; 30:592-597. [PMID: 35606491 PMCID: PMC10457192 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-022-00341-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetically inherited recessive neuromuscular disease that causes muscular atrophy and weakness. Onasemnogene abeparvovec (formerly AVXS-101, Zolgensma®, Novartis) is a targeted therapy approved to treat patients with SMA in >40 countries worldwide. This study describes the clinical efficacy and tolerability of gene replacement therapy with onasemnogene abeparvovec over a 3-month period in 9 SMA type 1 patients aged 1.7-48 months, with 7 patients on stable nusinersen (i.e., had received all four nusinersen loading doses before inclusion in this study). Liver function (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin), troponin I, platelet counts, creatinine levels, and motor function (CHOP-INTEND) were monitored. For the seven patients on stable nusinersen, the median baseline CHOP-INTEND score increased significantly during nusinersen treatment (Wilcoxon signed-rank test p = 0.018) and at 3 months after switching to onasemnogene abeparvovec (Wilcoxon signed-rank test p = 0.0467). We also identified two patients who responded poorly to nusinersen but showed the largest increase in baseline CHOP-INTEND scores at 1 and 3 months after switching, which could suggest that poor responders to nusinersen may respond favorably to onasemnogene abeparvovec. No unknown adverse events occurred. One patient developed moderate/severe thrombocytopenia 1 week after onasemnogene abeparvovec administration that resolved after treatment. Our study suggests the possibility of a change in the dynamic of CHOP-INTEND for patients who respond poorly to nusinersen after switching therapy to onasemnogene abeparvovec. Alternatively, patient age at treatment initiation may impact the response to onasemnogene abeparvovec. Testing in larger patient populations must be undertaken to assess the plausibility of these hypotheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Bitetti
- Pediatric Neurology, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy.
| | - Valentina Lanzara
- Pediatric Neurology, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Margiotta
- Department of Pharmacy, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Varone
- Pediatric Neurology, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy
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49
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Papaioannou I, Owen JS, Yáñez‐Muñoz RJ. Clinical applications of gene therapy for rare diseases: A review. Int J Exp Pathol 2023; 104:154-176. [PMID: 37177842 PMCID: PMC10349259 DOI: 10.1111/iep.12478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Rare diseases collectively exact a high toll on society due to their sheer number and overall prevalence. Their heterogeneity, diversity, and nature pose daunting clinical challenges for both management and treatment. In this review, we discuss recent advances in clinical applications of gene therapy for rare diseases, focusing on a variety of viral and non-viral strategies. The use of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors is discussed in the context of Luxturna, licenced for the treatment of RPE65 deficiency in the retinal epithelium. Imlygic, a herpes virus vector licenced for the treatment of refractory metastatic melanoma, will be an example of oncolytic vectors developed against rare cancers. Yescarta and Kymriah will showcase the use of retrovirus and lentivirus vectors in the autologous ex vivo production of chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T), licenced for the treatment of refractory leukaemias and lymphomas. Similar retroviral and lentiviral technology can be applied to autologous haematopoietic stem cells, exemplified by Strimvelis and Zynteglo, licenced treatments for adenosine deaminase-severe combined immunodeficiency (ADA-SCID) and β-thalassaemia respectively. Antisense oligonucleotide technologies will be highlighted through Onpattro and Tegsedi, RNA interference drugs licenced for familial transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis, and Spinraza, a splice-switching treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). An initial comparison of the effectiveness of AAV and oligonucleotide therapies in SMA is possible with Zolgensma, an AAV serotype 9 vector, and Spinraza. Through these examples of marketed gene therapies and gene cell therapies, we will discuss the expanding applications of such novel technologies to previously intractable rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James S. Owen
- Division of MedicineUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Rafael J. Yáñez‐Muñoz
- AGCTlab.orgCentre of Gene and Cell TherapyCentre for Biomedical SciencesDepartment of Biological SciencesSchool of Life Sciences and the EnvironmentRoyal Holloway University of LondonEghamUK
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50
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Nishio H, Niba ETE, Saito T, Okamoto K, Takeshima Y, Awano H. Spinal Muscular Atrophy: The Past, Present, and Future of Diagnosis and Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11939. [PMID: 37569314 PMCID: PMC10418635 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241511939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a lower motor neuron disease with autosomal recessive inheritance. The first cases of SMA were reported by Werdnig in 1891. Although the phenotypic variation of SMA led to controversy regarding the clinical entity of the disease, the genetic homogeneity of SMA was proved in 1990. Five years later, in 1995, the gene responsible for SMA, SMN1, was identified. Genetic testing of SMN1 has enabled precise epidemiological studies, revealing that SMA occurs in 1 of 10,000 to 20,000 live births and that more than 95% of affected patients are homozygous for SMN1 deletion. In 2016, nusinersen was the first drug approved for treatment of SMA in the United States. Two other drugs were subsequently approved: onasemnogene abeparvovec and risdiplam. Clinical trials with these drugs targeting patients with pre-symptomatic SMA (those who were diagnosed by genetic testing but showed no symptoms) revealed that such patients could achieve the milestones of independent sitting and/or walking. Following the great success of these trials, population-based newborn screening programs for SMA (more precisely, SMN1-deleted SMA) have been increasingly implemented worldwide. Early detection by newborn screening and early treatment with new drugs are expected to soon become the standards in the field of SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisahide Nishio
- Faculty of Rehabilitation, Kobe Gakuin University, 518 Arise, Ikawadani-cho, Nishi-ku, Kobe 651-2180, Japan
| | - Emma Tabe Eko Niba
- Laboratory of Molecular and Biochemical Research, Biomedical Research Core Facilities, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan;
| | - Toshio Saito
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Osaka Toneyama Medical Center, 5-1-1 Toneyama, Toyonaka 560-8552, Japan;
| | - Kentaro Okamoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Ehime Prefectural Imabari Hospital, 4-5-5 Ishi-cho, Imabari 794-0006, Japan;
| | - Yasuhiro Takeshima
- Department of Pediatrics, Hyogo Medical University, 1-1 Mukogawacho, Nishinomiya 663-8501, Japan;
| | - Hiroyuki Awano
- Organization for Research Initiative and Promotion, Research Initiative Center, Tottori University, 86 Nishi-cho, Yonago 683-8503, Japan;
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