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Jericó D, Córdoba KM, Urigo F, Enríquez de Salamanca R, Anderson KE, Deybach JC, Ávila MA, Fontanellas A. Exploring current and emerging therapies for porphyrias. Liver Int 2024. [PMID: 38813953 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15979] [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: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Porphyrias are rare, mostly inherited disorders resulting from altered activity of specific enzymes in the haem synthesis pathway that lead to accumulation of pathway intermediates. Photocutaneous symptoms occur when excess amounts of photoreactive porphyrins circulate in the blood to the skin, whereas increases in potentially neurotoxic porphyrin precursors are associated with neurovisceral symptoms. Current therapies are suboptimal and their mechanisms are not well established. As described here, emerging therapies address underlying disease mechanisms by introducing a gene, RNA or other specific molecule with the potential to cure or slow progression of the disease. Recent progress in nanotechnology and nanoscience, particularly regarding particle design and formulation, is expanding disease targets. More secure and efficient drug delivery systems have extended our toolbox for transferring specific molecules, especially into hepatocytes, and led to proof-of-concept studies in animal models. Repurposing existing drugs as molecular chaperones or haem synthesis inhibitors is also promising. This review summarizes key examples of these emerging therapeutic approaches and their application for hepatic and erythropoietic porphyrias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Jericó
- Solid Tumors Program, Hepatology: Porphyrias & Carcinogenesis Laboratory, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Karol M Córdoba
- Solid Tumors Program, Hepatology: Porphyrias & Carcinogenesis Laboratory, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Francesco Urigo
- Solid Tumors Program, Hepatology: Porphyrias & Carcinogenesis Laboratory, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Rafael Enríquez de Salamanca
- Department of Internal Medicine, Reference Center for Inherited Metabolic Disease-MetabERN, University Hospital 12 de Octubre, UCM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Karl E Anderson
- Porphyria Laboratory and Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Jean-Charles Deybach
- French Porphyria Reference Center (CRMR Porphyries France), Université Paris, Paris, France
| | - Matías A Ávila
- Solid Tumors Program, Hepatology: Porphyrias & Carcinogenesis Laboratory, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Fontanellas
- Solid Tumors Program, Hepatology: Porphyrias & Carcinogenesis Laboratory, CIMA-University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Madigan KE, Rudnick SR, Agnew MA, Urooj N, Bonkovsky HL. Illuminating Dersimelagon: A Novel Agent in the Treatment of Erythropoietic Protoporphyria and X-Linked Protoporphyria. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 17:31. [PMID: 38256864 PMCID: PMC10819203 DOI: 10.3390/ph17010031] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a genetic disorder stemming from reduced ferrochelatase expression, the final enzyme in the pathway of heme biosynthesis. A closely related condition, X-linked protoporphyria (XLP), bears similar clinical features although it arises from the heightened activity of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase 2 (ALAS2), the first and normally rate-controlling enzyme in heme biosynthesis in developing red blood cells. Both of these abnormalities result in the buildup of protoporphyrin IX, leading to excruciating light sensitivity and, in a minority of cases, potentially fatal liver complications. Traditionally, managing EPP and XLP involved sun avoidance. However, the emergence of innovative therapies, such as dersimelagon, is reshaping the therapeutic landscape for these conditions. In this review, we summarize salient features of the properties of dersimelagon, shedding light on its potential role in advancing our understanding of treatment options for EPP and XLP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn E. Madigan
- Section on Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA; (S.R.R.); (H.L.B.)
| | - Sean R. Rudnick
- Section on Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA; (S.R.R.); (H.L.B.)
| | - Matthew A. Agnew
- Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA;
| | - Numra Urooj
- Department of Medicine, Parkview Health, Fort Wayne, IN 46845, USA;
| | - Herbert L. Bonkovsky
- Section on Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA; (S.R.R.); (H.L.B.)
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Hussain Z, Qi Q, Zhu J, Anderson KE, Ma X. Protoporphyrin IX-induced phototoxicity: Mechanisms and therapeutics. Pharmacol Ther 2023; 248:108487. [PMID: 37392940 PMCID: PMC10529234 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108487] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
Protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) is an intermediate in the heme biosynthesis pathway. Abnormal accumulation of PPIX due to certain pathological conditions such as erythropoietic protoporphyria and X-linked protoporphyria causes painful phototoxic reactions of the skin, which can significantly impact daily life. Endothelial cells in the skin have been proposed as the primary target for PPIX-induced phototoxicity through light-triggered generation of reactive oxygen species. Current approaches for the management of PPIX-induced phototoxicity include opaque clothing, sunscreens, phototherapy, blood therapy, antioxidants, bone marrow transplantation, and drugs that increase skin pigmentation. In this review, we discuss the present understanding of PPIX-induced phototoxicity including PPIX production and disposition, conditions that lead to PPIX accumulation, symptoms and individual differences, mechanisms, and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahir Hussain
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Qian Qi
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Junjie Zhu
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Karl E Anderson
- Porphyria Laboratory and Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Xiaochao Ma
- Center for Pharmacogenetics, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
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