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Adang LA, Bonkowsky JL, Boelens JJ, Mallack E, Ahrens-Nicklas R, Bernat JA, Bley A, Burton B, Darling A, Eichler F, Eklund E, Emrick L, Escolar M, Fatemi A, Fraser JL, Gaviglio A, Keller S, Patterson MC, Orchard P, Orthmann-Murphy J, Santoro JD, Schöls L, Sevin C, Srivastava IN, Rajan D, Rubin JP, Van Haren K, Wasserstein M, Zerem A, Fumagalli F, Laugwitz L, Vanderver A. Consensus guidelines for the monitoring and management of metachromatic leukodystrophy in the United States. Cytotherapy 2024:S1465-3249(24)00579-6. [PMID: 38613540 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2024.03.487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a fatal, progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by biallelic pathogenic mutations in the ARSA (Arylsulfatase A) gene. With the advent of presymptomatic diagnosis and the availability of therapies with a narrow window for intervention, it is critical to define a standardized approach to diagnosis, presymptomatic monitoring, and clinical care. To meet the needs of the MLD community, a panel of MLD experts was established to develop disease-specific guidelines based on healthcare resources in the United States. This group developed a consensus opinion for best-practice recommendations, as follows: (i) Diagnosis should include both genetic and biochemical testing; (ii) Early diagnosis and treatment for MLD is associated with improved clinical outcomes; (iii) The panel supported the development of newborn screening to accelerate the time to diagnosis and treatment; (iv) Clinical management of MLD should include specialists familiar with the disease who are able to follow patients longitudinally; (v) In early onset MLD, including late infantile and early juvenile subtypes, ex vivo gene therapy should be considered for presymptomatic patients where available; (vi) In late-onset MLD, including late juvenile and adult subtypes, hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) should be considered for patients with no or minimal disease involvement. This document summarizes current guidance on the presymptomatic monitoring of children affected by MLD as well as the clinical management of symptomatic patients. Future data-driven evidence and evolution of these recommendations will be important to stratify clinical treatment options and improve clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Adang
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
| | | | - Jaap Jan Boelens
- Department of Pediatrics, Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Weill Cornell Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Eric Mallack
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - John A Bernat
- University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Annette Bley
- University Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Burton
- Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | | | | | - Lisa Emrick
- Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Maria Escolar
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Forge Biologics, Grove City, Ohio, USA
| | - Ali Fatemi
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jamie L Fraser
- Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Amy Gaviglio
- Division of Laboratory Services, Newborn Screening and Molecular Biology Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Association of Public Health Laboratories, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Marc C Patterson
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA; Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Paul Orchard
- University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Jonathan D Santoro
- University of Southern California, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Ludger Schöls
- Department of Neurology and Hertie-Institute for Clinical Brain Research German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | | | - Isha N Srivastava
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Deepa Rajan
- University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Keith Van Haren
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Melissa Wasserstein
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Children's Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Ayelet Zerem
- Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Lucia Laugwitz
- Department of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Adeline Vanderver
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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Chang SC, Eichinger CS, Field P. The natural history and burden of illness of metachromatic leukodystrophy: a systematic literature review. Eur J Med Res 2024; 29:181. [PMID: 38494502 PMCID: PMC10946116 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-024-01771-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD; OMIM 250100 and 249900) is a rare lysosomal storage disease caused by deficient arylsulfatase A activity, leading to accumulation of sulfatides in the nervous system. This systematic literature review aimed to explore the effect of MLD on the lives of patients. METHODS The Ovid platform was used to search Embase, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Library for articles related to the natural history, clinical outcomes, and burden of illness of MLD; congress and hand searches were performed using 'metachromatic leukodystrophy' as a keyword. Of the 531 publications identified, 120 were included for data extraction following screening. A subset of findings from studies relating to MLD natural history and burden of illness (n = 108) are presented here. RESULTS The mean age at symptom onset was generally 16-18 months for late-infantile MLD and 6-10 years for juvenile MLD. Age at diagnosis and time to diagnosis varied widely. Typically, patients with late-infantile MLD presented predominantly with motor symptoms and developmental delay; patients with juvenile MLD presented with motor, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms; and patients with adult MLD presented with cognitive symptoms and psychiatric and mood disorders. Patients with late-infantile MLD had more rapid decline of motor function over time and lower survival than patients with juvenile MLD. Commonly reported comorbidities/complications included ataxia, epilepsy, gallbladder abnormalities, incontinence, neuropathy, and seizures. CONCLUSIONS Epidemiology of MLD by geographic regions, quantitative cognitive data, data on the differences between early- and late-juvenile MLD, and humanistic or economic outcomes were limited. Further studies on clinical, humanistic (i.e., quality of life), and economic outcomes are needed to help inform healthcare decisions for patients with MLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun-Chiao Chang
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., 125 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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3
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Schoenmakers DH, Mochel F, Adang LA, Boelens JJ, Calbi V, Eklund EA, Grønborg SW, Fumagalli F, Groeschel S, Lindemans C, Sevin C, Schöls L, Ram D, Zerem A, Graessner H, Wolf NI. Inventory of current practices regarding hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in metachromatic leukodystrophy in Europe and neighboring countries. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2024; 19:46. [PMID: 38326898 PMCID: PMC10848395 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-024-03075-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For decades, early allogeneic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been used to slow neurological decline in metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD). There is lack of consensus regarding who may benefit, and guidelines are lacking. Clinical practice relies on limited literature and expert opinions. The European Reference Network for Rare Neurological Diseases (ERN-RND) and the MLD initiative facilitate expert panels for treatment advice, but some countries are underrepresented. This study explores organizational and clinical HSCT practices for MLD in Europe and neighboring countries to enhance optimization and harmonization of cross-border MLD care. METHODS A web-based EUSurvey was distributed through the ERN-RND and the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Inborn Errors Working Party. Personal invitations were sent to 89 physicians (43 countries) with neurological/metabolic/hematological expertise. The results were analyzed and visualized using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS statistics. RESULTS Of the 30 countries represented by 42 respondents, 23 countries offer HSCT for MLD. The treatment is usually available in 1-3 centers per country (18/23, 78%). Most countries have no or very few MLD patients transplanted during the past 1-5 years. The eligibility criteria regarding MLD subtype, motor function, IQ, and MRI largely differ across countries. CONCLUSION HSCT for MLD is available in most European countries, but uncertainties exist in Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. Applied eligibility criteria and management vary and may not align with the latest scientific insights, indicating physicians' struggle in providing evidence-based care. Interaction between local physicians and international experts is crucial for adequate treatment decision-making and cross-border care in the rapidly changing MLD field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne H Schoenmakers
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma's Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Medicine for Society, Platform at Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Fanny Mochel
- Hôpital La Pitié-Salpêtrière, Assistance-Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Inserm U1127, Paris, France
| | - Laura A Adang
- Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Jaap-Jan Boelens
- Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies Program, Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Valeria Calbi
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), Pediatric Immunohematology Unit and Neurology and Neurophysiology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Pediatric Immunohematology Unit and BMT Program, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Erik A Eklund
- Section for Pediatric Neurology, Skåne University Hospital and Clinical Sciences, Lund, Lund University, 221 84, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sabine W Grønborg
- Center for Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine and Department of Clinical Genetics, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Francesca Fumagalli
- San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-TIGET), Pediatric Immunohematology Unit and Neurology and Neurophysiology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Samuel Groeschel
- Department of Paediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, University Children's Hospital, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Caroline Lindemans
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Lundlaan 6, 3584 EA, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Caroline Sevin
- Reference Center for Leukodystrophies, Pediatric Neurology Department, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Ludger Schöls
- Department of Neurology and Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center of Neurodeenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Dipak Ram
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Ayelet Zerem
- Pediatric Neurology Institute, Dana-Dwek Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Holm Graessner
- Institute for Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, Center for Rare Diseases, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nicole I Wolf
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma's Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Farah MH, Dali CÍ, Groeschel S, Moldovan M, Whiteman DAH, Malanga CJ, Krägeloh‐Mann I, Li J, Barton N, Krarup C. Effects of sulfatide on peripheral nerves in metachromatic leukodystrophy. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2024; 11:328-341. [PMID: 38146590 PMCID: PMC10863914 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the longitudinal correlations between sulfatide/lysosulfatide levels and central and peripheral nervous system function in children with metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) and to explore the impact of intravenous recombinant human arylsulfatase A (rhASA) treatment on myelin turnover. METHODS A Phase 1/2 study of intravenous rhASA investigated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and sural nerve sulfatide levels, 88-item Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) total score, sensory and motor nerve conduction, brain N-acetylaspartate (NAA) levels, and sural nerve histology in 13 children with MLD. Myelinated and unmyelinated nerves from an untreated MLD mouse model were also analyzed. RESULTS CSF sulfatide levels correlated with neither Z-scores for GMFM-88 nor brain NAA levels; however, CSF sulfatide levels correlated negatively with Z-scores of nerve conduction parameters, number of large (≥7 μm) myelinated fibers, and myelin/fiber diameter slope, and positively with nerve g-ratios and cortical latencies of somatosensory-evoked potentials. Quantity of endoneural litter positively correlated with sural nerve sulfatide/lysosulfatide levels. CSF sulfatide levels decreased with continuous high-dose treatment; this change correlated with improved nerve conduction. At 26 weeks after treatment, nerve g-ratio decreased by 2%, and inclusion bodies per Schwann cell unit increased by 55%. In mice, abnormal sulfatide storage was observed in non-myelinating Schwann cells in Remak bundles of sciatic nerves but not in unmyelinated urethral nerves. INTERPRETATION Lower sulfatide levels in the CSF and peripheral nerves correlate with better peripheral nerve function in children with MLD; intravenous rhASA treatment may reduce CSF sulfatide levels and enhance sulfatide/lysosulfatide processing and remyelination in peripheral nerves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed H. Farah
- Department of NeurologyJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMarylandUSA
| | - Christine í Dali
- Department of Clinical GeneticsRigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
- Present address:
Zevra Denmark A/S
| | - Samuel Groeschel
- Department of Pediatric NeurologyUniversity Children's Hospital TübingenTübingenGermany
| | - Mihai Moldovan
- Department of Clinical NeurophysiologyRigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
- Department of NeuroscienceUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | | | - C. J. Malanga
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.LexingtonMassachusettsUSA
| | | | - Jing Li
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.LexingtonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Norman Barton
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.LexingtonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Christian Krarup
- Department of Clinical NeurophysiologyRigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
- Department of NeuroscienceUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
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Jonckheere AI, Kingma SDK, Eyskens F, Bordon V, Jansen AC. Metachromatic leukodystrophy: To screen or not to screen? Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2023; 46:1-7. [PMID: 37354699 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in the gene encoding arylsulfatase A. Disease onset is variable (with late infantile, early and late juvenile, and adult forms) and treatment options depend on age and disease symptoms at onset. In the past, allo-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) has been the best treatment option, following strict selection criteria. The outcome however is variable and morbidity remains high. This paved the way to the development of new treatment options, some of them aiming to be curative. In the light of this changing therapeutic field, newborn screening is becoming a valuable option. This narrative review aims to describe the outcome of allo-HSCT in the different MLD disease forms, and, in addition, reviews new treatment options. Finally, the shift of the field towards newborn screening for MLD is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- An I Jonckheere
- Department of Child Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium; Centre for Metabolic Diseases, University Hospital Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium.
| | - Sandra D K Kingma
- Centre for Metabolic Diseases, University Hospital Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - François Eyskens
- Centre for Metabolic Diseases, University Hospital Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Victoria Bordon
- Department of Child Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anna C Jansen
- Department of Child Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
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Armstrong N, Olaye A, Noake C, Pang F. A systematic review of clinical effectiveness and safety for historical and current treatment options for metachromatic leukodystrophy in children, including atidarsagene autotemcel. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2023; 18:248. [PMID: 37644601 PMCID: PMC10466877 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02814-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To understand the benefit-risk profile for historical and current treatments for MLD. METHODS A systematic review was conducted on the effectiveness, safety, and costs of MLD treatments: allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and atidarsagene autotemcel (arsa-cel) according to best practice. RESULTS A total of 6940 titles and abstracts were retrieved from the literature searches and 26 from other sources. From these, 35 manuscripts reporting on a total of 12 studies were selected for inclusion in the review. There were no controlled multi-armed trials. However, we provide observations comparing two interventional therapies (alloHSCT and arsa-cel) and each of these to standard/supportive care (natural history). There were no benefits for survival, gross motor function and cognitive function for LI patients receiving alloHSCT, as patients experienced disease progression similar to LI natural history. For juvenile patients receiving alloHSCT, no differences in survival were observed versus natural history, however stabilisation of cognitive and motor function were reported for some patients (particularly for pre- or minimally-symptomatic LJ patients), while others experienced disease progression. Furthermore, alloHSCT was associated with severe complications such as treatment-related mortality, graft versus host disease, and re-transplantation in both LI and EJ treated patients. Most LI and EJ patients treated with arsa-cel appeared to have normal development, preservation, or slower progression of gross motor function and cognitive function, in contrast to the rapid decline observed in natural history patients. A survival benefit for arsa-cel versus natural history and versus alloHSCT was observed in LI patients.LI and EJ patients treated with arsa-cel had better gross motor function and cognitive function compared to alloHSCT, which had limited effect on motor and cognitive decline. No data has been reported for arsa-cel treatment of LJ patients. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this systematic review indicates that compared to NHx and HSCT, treatment with arsa-cel results in clinically relevant benefits in LI and EJ MLD patients by preserving cognitive function and motor development in most patients, and increased survival for LI patients. Nevertheless, further research is required to confirm these findings, given they are based on results from non-RCT studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew Olaye
- Orchard Therapeutics, 245 Hammersmith Road, 3rd Floor, London, W6 8PW, UK
| | - Caro Noake
- Kleijnen Systematic Reviews Ltd, York, YO19 6FD, UK
| | - Francis Pang
- Orchard Therapeutics, 245 Hammersmith Road, 3rd Floor, London, W6 8PW, UK
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7
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Gavazzi F, Patel V, Charsar B, Glanzman A, Erler J, Sevagamoorthy A, McKenzie E, Kornafel T, Ballance E, Pierce SR, Teng M, Formanowski B, Woidill S, Shults J, Wassmer E, Tonduti D, Magrinelli F, Bernard G, Van Der Knaap M, Wolf N, Adang L, Vanderver A. Gross Motor Function in Pediatric Onset TUBB4A-Related Leukodystrophy: GMFM-88 Performance and Validation of GMFC-MLD in TUBB4A. J Child Neurol 2023; 38:498-504. [PMID: 37461315 PMCID: PMC10527384 DOI: 10.1177/08830738231188159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
TUBB4A pathogenic variants are associated with a spectrum of neurologic impairments including movement disorders and leukodystrophy. With the development of targeted therapies, there is an urgent unmet need for validated tools to measure mobility impairment. Our aim is to explore gross motor function in a pediatric-onset TUBB4A-related leukodystrophy cohort with existing gross motor outcome tools. Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88), Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS-ER), and Gross Motor Function Classification-Metachromatic Leukodystrophy (GMFC-MLD) were selected through face validity. Subjects with a confirmed clinical and molecular diagnosis of TUBB4A-related leukodystrophy were enrolled. Participants' sex, age, genotype, and age at disease onset were collected, together with GMFM-88 and concurrent GMFCS-ER and GMFC-MLD. Performances on each measure were compared. GMFM-88 floor effect was defined as total score below 20%. A total of 35 subjects participated. Median performance by GMFM-88 was 16.24% (range 0-97.31), with 42.9% (n = 15) of individuals performing above the floor. GMFM-88 Dimension A (Lying and Rolling) was the best-performing dimension in the GMFM-88 (n = 29 above the floor). All levels of the Classification Scales were represented, with the exception of the GMFC-MLD level 0. Evaluation by GMFM-88 was strongly correlated with the Classification Scales (Spearman correlations: GMFCS-ER:GMFM-88 r = 0.90; GMFC-MLD:GMFM-88 r = 0.88; GMFCS-ER:GMFC-MLD: r = 0.92). Despite overall observation of a floor effect, the GMFM-88 is able to accurately capture the performance of individuals with attenuated phenotypes. GMFM-88 Dimension A shows no floor effect. GMFC-MLD shows a strong correlation with GMFCS-ER and GMFM-88, supporting its use as an age-independent functional score in TUBB4A-related leukodystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Gavazzi
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Virali Patel
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Brittany Charsar
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Allan Glanzman
- Department of Physical Therapy, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jacqueline Erler
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Anjana Sevagamoorthy
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Emma McKenzie
- Department of Physical Therapy, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Tracy Kornafel
- Department of Physical Therapy, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Ballance
- Department of Physical Therapy, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Samuel R. Pierce
- Department of Physical Therapy, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michelle Teng
- Synaptixbio Ltd, Fermi Avenue, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX
| | - Brielle Formanowski
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Sarah Woidill
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Justine Shults
- Synaptixbio Ltd, Fermi Avenue, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX
| | - Evangeline Wassmer
- Neurology Department, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Institute of Health and Neurodevelopment, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Davide Tonduti
- Unit of Pediatric Neurology, C.O.A.L.A (Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Leukodystrophies), V. Buzzi Children’s Hospital, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, L. Sacco University Hospital, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Magrinelli
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Geneviève Bernard
- Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Pediatrics and Human Genetics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department Specialized Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Child Health and Human Development Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Marjo Van Der Knaap
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole Wolf
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, and Amsterdam Neuroscience, Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Adang
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adeline Vanderver
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Gómez J, Artigas L, Valls R, Gervas-Arruga J. An in silico approach to identify early damage biomarker candidates in metachromatic leukodystrophy. Mol Genet Metab Rep 2023; 35:100974. [PMID: 37275681 PMCID: PMC10233284 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgmr.2023.100974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a rare, autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease. Deficient activity of arylsulfatase A causes sulfatides to accumulate in cells of different tissues, including those in the central and peripheral nervous systems, leading to progressive demyelination and neurodegeneration. Although there is some association between specific arylsulfatase A alleles and disease severity, genotype-phenotype correlations are not fully understood. We aimed to identify biomarker candidates of early tissue damage in MLD using a modeling approach based on systems biology. A review of the literature was performed in an initial disease characterization step, allowing identification of pathophysiological processes involved in MLD and proteins relating to these processes. Three mathematical models were generated to simulate different stages of MLD at the molecular level: an early pro-inflammatory stage model (including only processes considered to be active in the early stages of disease), a pre-demyelination stage model (including additional processes that are active after some disease progression), and a demyelination stage model (in which all pathophysiological processes are active). The models evaluated 3457 proteins of interest, individually and by pairs through data mining techniques, applying five filters to prioritize biomarkers that could differentiate between the models. Sixteen potential biomarkers were identified, including effectors relating to mitochondrial dysfunction, remyelination, and neurodegeneration. The findings were corroborated in a gene expression data set from T lymphocytes of patients with MLD; all candidates formed combinations that were able to distinguish patients with MLD from controls, and all but one candidate distinguished late-infantile MLD from juvenile MLD as part of a combinatorial biomarker pair. In particular, pro-neuregulin-1 appeared as differential on all comparisons (patients with MLD vs controls and within clinical subtypes); casein kinase II subunit alpha was detected as a potential individual marker within clinical subtypes. These findings provide a panel of biomarker candidates suitable for experimental validation and highlight the utility of mathematical models to identify biomarker candidates of early tissue damage in MLD with a high degree of accuracy and sensitivity.
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9
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Eichler F, Sevin C, Barth M, Pang F, Howie K, Walz M, Wilds A, Calcagni C, Chanson C, Campbell L. Understanding caregiver descriptions of initial signs and symptoms to improve diagnosis of metachromatic leukodystrophy. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2022; 17:370. [PMID: 36195888 PMCID: PMC9531467 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-022-02518-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), a relentlessly progressive and ultimately fatal condition, is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme arylsulfatase A (ARSA). Historically management has been palliative or supportive care. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is poorly effective in early-onset MLD and benefit in late-onset MLD remains controversial. Hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy, Libmeldy (atidarsagene autotemcel), was recently approved by the European Medicines Agency for early-onset MLD. Treatment benefit is mainly observed at an early disease stage, indicating the need for early diagnosis and intervention. This study contributes insights into the caregiver language used to describe initial MLD symptomatology, and thereby aims to improve communication between clinicians and families impacted by this condition and promote a faster path to diagnosis. RESULTS Data was collected through a moderator-assisted online 60-min survey and 30-min semi-structured follow-up telephone interview with 31 MLD caregivers in the United States (n = 10), France (n = 10), the United Kingdom (n = 5), and Germany (n = 6). All respondents were primary caregivers of a person with late infantile (n = 20), juvenile (n = 11) or borderline late infantile/juvenile (n = 1) MLD (one caregiver reported for 2 children leading to a sample of 32 individuals with MLD). Caregivers were asked questions related to their child's initial signs and symptoms, time to diagnosis and interactions with healthcare providers. These results highlight the caregiver language used to describe the most common initial symptoms of MLD and provide added context to help elevate the index of suspicion of disease. Distinctions between caregiver descriptions of late infantile and juvenile MLD in symptom onset and disease course were also identified. CONCLUSIONS This study captures the caregiver description of the physical, behavioral, and cognitive signs of MLD prior to diagnosis. The understanding of the caregiver language at symptom onset sheds light on a critical window of often missed opportunity for earlier diagnosis and therapeutic intervention in MLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Eichler
- Center for Rare Neurological Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caroline Sevin
- Service de Neuropédiatrie, centre de reference des leucodystrophies et leucoencephalopathies genetiques de cause rare, CHU Paris-Sud-Hôpital de Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - M Barth
- Service de Génétique, Hôpital Universitaire d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - F Pang
- Orchard Therapeutics, 245 Hammersmith Road, London, W6 8PW, UK.
| | - K Howie
- Magnolia Innovation, Hoboken, NJ, USA
| | - M Walz
- Magnolia Innovation, Hoboken, NJ, USA
| | - A Wilds
- Magnolia Innovation, Hoboken, NJ, USA
| | | | - C Chanson
- Orchard Therapeutics, 245 Hammersmith Road, London, W6 8PW, UK
| | - L Campbell
- Orchard Therapeutics, 245 Hammersmith Road, London, W6 8PW, UK
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10
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article reviews the most common leukodystrophies and is focused on diagnosis, clinical features, and emerging therapeutic options. RECENT FINDINGS In the past decade, the recognition of leukodystrophies has exponentially increased, and now this class includes more than 30 distinct disorders. Classically recognized as progressive and fatal disorders affecting young children, it is now understood that leukodystrophies are associated with an increasing spectrum of neurologic trajectories and can affect all ages. Next-generation sequencing and newborn screening allow the opportunity for the recognition of presymptomatic and atypical cases. These new testing opportunities, in combination with growing numbers of natural history studies and clinical consensus guidelines, have helped improve diagnosis and clinical care. Additionally, a more granular understanding of disease outcomes informs clinical trial design and has led to several recent therapeutic advances. This review summarizes the current understanding of the clinical manifestations of disease and treatment options for the most common leukodystrophies. SUMMARY As early testing becomes more readily available through next-generation sequencing and newborn screening, neurologists will better understand the true incidence of the leukodystrophies and be able to diagnose children within the therapeutic window. As targeted therapies are developed, it becomes increasingly imperative that this broad spectrum of disorders is recognized and diagnosed. This work summarizes key advances in the leukodystrophy field.
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11
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Cabanillas Stanchi KM, Böhringer J, Strölin M, Groeschel S, Lenglinger K, Treuner C, Kehrer C, Laugwitz L, Bevot A, Kaiser N, Schumm M, Lang P, Handgretinger R, Krägeloh-Mann I, Müller I, Döring M. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with mesenchymal stromal cells in children with metachromatic leukodystrophy. Stem Cells Dev 2022; 31:163-175. [PMID: 35323019 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2021.0352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a lysosomal storage disorder primarily affecting the white matter of the nervous system that results from a deficiency of the arylsulfatase A (ARSA). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are able to secrete ARSA and have shown beneficial effects in MLD patients. In this retrospective analysis, 10 pediatric MLD patients (MSCG) underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and received two applications of 2 x 106 MSCs/kg bodyweight at day +30 and +60 after HSCT between 2007 and 2018. MSC safety, occurrence of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), blood ARSA levels, chimerism, cell regeneration and engraftment, MRI changes, and the gross motor function were assessed within the first year of HSCT. The long-term data included clinical outcomes and safety aspects of MSCs. Data were compared to a control cohort of seven pediatric MLD patients (CG) who underwent HSCT only. The application of MSC in pediatric MLD patients after allogeneic HSCT was safe and well tolerated and long-term potentially MSC-related adverse effects up to 13.5 years after HSCT were not observed. Patients achieved significantly higher ARSA levels (CG: median 1.03 nmol∙10-6, range 0.41-1.73 | MSCG: median 1.58 nmol∙10-6, range 0.44-2.6; p<0.05), as well as significantly higher leukocyte (p<0.05) and thrombocyte (p<0.001) levels within 365 days of MSC application compared to CG patients. Statistically significant effects on acute GvHD, regeneration of immune cells, engraftment, MRI changes, gross motor function, and clinical outcomes were not detected. In conclusion, the application of MSCs in pediatric MLD patients after allogeneic HSCT was safe and well tolerated. The two applications of 2 x 106/kg allogeneic MSCs were followed by improved engraftment and hematopoiesis within the first year after HSCT. Larger, prospective trials are necessary to evaluate the impact of MSC application on engraftment and hematopoietic recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Judith Böhringer
- University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Dpt. III - Neuropediatrics, Germany;
| | - Manuel Strölin
- University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Dpt. III - Neuropediatrics, Germany;
| | - Samuel Groeschel
- University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Dpt. III - Neuropediatrics, Germany;
| | - Katrin Lenglinger
- University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Dpt. I - General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Germany;
| | - Claudia Treuner
- University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Dpt. I - General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Germany;
| | - Christiane Kehrer
- University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Dpt. I - General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Germany;
| | - Lucia Laugwitz
- University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Dpt. III - Neuropediatrics, Germany;
| | - Andrea Bevot
- University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Dpt. III - Neuropediatrics, Germany;
| | - Nadja Kaiser
- University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Dpt. III - Neuropediatrics, Germany;
| | - Michael Schumm
- University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Dpt. I - General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Germany;
| | - Peter Lang
- University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Dpt. I - General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Germany;
| | - Rupert Handgretinger
- Children's University Hospital, Hematology/Oncology, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 1, Tuebingen, Germany, 72076;
| | | | - Ingo Müller
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 37734, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Michaela Döring
- University Children's Hospital Tübingen, Dpt. I - General Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Germany;
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12
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Laugwitz L, Zizmare L, Santhanakumaran V, Cannet C, Böhringer J, Okun JG, Spraul M, Krägeloh‐Mann I, Groeschel S, Trautwein C. Identification of neurodegeneration indicators and disease progression in metachromatic leukodystrophy using quantitative
NMR
‐based urinary metabolomics. JIMD Rep 2022; 63:168-180. [PMID: 35281658 PMCID: PMC8898726 DOI: 10.1002/jmd2.12273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency of the arylsulfatase A (ARSA). ARSA deficiency leads to an accumulation of sulfatides primarily in the nervous system ultimately causing demyelination. With evolving therapeutic options, there is an increasing need for indicators to evaluate disease progression. Here, we report targeted metabolic urine profiling of 56 MLD patients including longitudinal sampling, using 1H (proton) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. 1H‐NMR urine spectra of 119 MLD samples and 323 healthy controls were analyzed by an in vitro diagnostics research (IVDr) tool, covering up to 50 endogenous and 100 disease‐related metabolites on a 600‐MHz IVDr NMR spectrometer. Quantitative data reports were analyzed regarding age of onset, clinical course, and therapeutic intervention. The NMR data reveal metabolome changes consistent with a multiorgan affection in MLD patients in comparison to controls. In the MLD cohort, N‐acetylaspartate (NAA) excretion in urine is elevated. Early onset MLD forms show a different metabolic profile suggesting a metabolic shift toward ketogenesis in comparison to late onset MLD and controls. In samples of juvenile MLD patients who stabilize clinically after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), the macrophage activation marker neopterin is elevated. We were able to identify different metabolic patterns reflecting variable organ disturbances in MLD, including brain and energy metabolism and inflammatory processes. We suggest NAA in urine as a quantitative biomarker for neurodegeneration. Intriguingly, elevated neopterin after HSCT supports the hypothesis that competent donor macrophages are crucial for favorable outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Laugwitz
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics University of Tuebingen Tuebingen Germany
| | - Laimdota Zizmare
- Werner Siemens Imaging Center University of Tuebingen Tuebingen Germany
| | - Vidiyaah Santhanakumaran
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics University of Tuebingen Tuebingen Germany
| | | | - Judith Böhringer
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics University of Tuebingen Tuebingen Germany
| | - Jürgen G. Okun
- Dietmar‐Hopp Metabolic Center Children's Hospital Heidelberg Heidelberg Germany
| | - Manfred Spraul
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics University of Tuebingen Tuebingen Germany
| | - Ingeborg Krägeloh‐Mann
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics University of Tuebingen Tuebingen Germany
| | - Samuel Groeschel
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Developmental Neurology and Social Pediatrics University of Tuebingen Tuebingen Germany
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13
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Kurtzberg
- Marcus Center for Cellular Cures, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27705, USA.
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14
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Wu X, He X, Liu F, Jiang X, Wang P, Zhang J, Jiang J. Development and clinical translation of ex vivo gene therapy. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:2986-3003. [PMID: 35782737 PMCID: PMC9218169 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.06.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Retroviral gene therapy has emerged as a promising therapeutic modality for multiple inherited and acquired human diseases. The capability of delivering curative treatment or mediating therapeutic benefits for a long-term period following a single application fundamentally distinguishes this medical intervention from traditional medicine and various lentiviral/γ-retroviral vector-mediated gene therapy products have been approved for clinical use. Continued advances in retroviral vector engineering, genomic editing, synthetic biology and immunology will broaden the medical applications of gene therapy and improve the efficacy and safety of the treatments based on genetic correction and alteration. This review will summarize the advent and clinical translation of ex vivo gene therapy, with the focus on the milestones during the exploitation of genetically engineered hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) tackling a variety of pathological conditions which led to marketing approval. Finally, current statue and future prospects of gene editing as an alternative therapeutic approach are also discussed.
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15
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Gavazzi F, Adang L, Waldman A, Jan AK, Liu G, Lorch SA, DeMauro SB, Shults J, Pierce SR, Ballance E, Kornafel T, Harrington A, Glanzman AM, Vanderver A. Reliability of the Telemedicine Application of the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 in Patients With Leukodystrophy. Pediatr Neurol 2021; 125:34-39. [PMID: 34624609 PMCID: PMC8629609 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2021.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leukodystrophies are a rare class of disorders characterized by severe neuromotor disability. There is a strong need for research regarding the functional status of people with leukodystrophy which is limited by the need for in-person assessments of mobility. The purpose of this study is to assess the reliability of the Gross Motor Function Measure-88 (GMFM-88) using telemedicine compared with standard in-person assessments in patients with leukodystrophy. METHODS A total of 21 subjects with a diagnosis of leukodystrophy (age range = 1.79-52.82 years) were evaluated by in-person and by telemedicine evaluations with the GMFM-88 by physical therapists. Inter-rater reliability was assessed through evaluation of the same subject by two independent raters within a three-week period (n = 10 encounters), and intrarater reliability was assessed through blinded rescoring of video-recorded assessments after a one-week time interval (n = 6 encounters). RESULTS Remote assessments were performed by caregivers in all 21 subjects using resources found in the home with remote guidance. There was agreement between all paired in-person and remote measurements (Lin's concordance correlation ≥0.995). The Bland-Altman analysis indicated that the paired differences were within ±5%. Intrarater and inter-rater reliability demonstrated an intraclass correlation coefficient of >0.90. CONCLUSIONS These results support that remote application of the GMFM-88 is a feasible and reliable approach to assess individuals with leukodystrophy. Telemedicine application of outcome measures may be of particular value in rare diseases and those with severe neurologic disability that impacts the ability to travel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Gavazzi
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
| | - Laura Adang
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Amy Waldman
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Amanda K. Jan
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Geraldine Liu
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Scott A. Lorch
- Department of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Sara B. DeMauro
- Department of Neonatology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Justine Shults
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA,Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Samuel R. Pierce
- Departmen of Physical Therapy, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Elizabeth Ballance
- Departmen of Physical Therapy, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Tracy Kornafel
- Departmen of Physical Therapy, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Ann Harrington
- Departmen of Physical Therapy, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Allan M. Glanzman
- Departmen of Physical Therapy, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Adeline Vanderver
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA,Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
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16
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Beerepoot S, Heijst H, Roos B, Wamelink MMC, Boelens JJ, Lindemans CA, van Hasselt PM, Jacobs EH, van der Knaap MS, Teunissen CE, Wolf NI. Neurofilament light chain and glial fibrillary acidic protein levels in metachromatic leukodystrophy. Brain 2021; 145:105-118. [PMID: 34398223 PMCID: PMC8967093 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Metachromatic leukodystrophy is a lethal metabolic leukodystrophy, with emerging treatments for early disease stages. Biomarkers to measure disease activity are required for clinical assessment and treatment follow-up. This retrospective study compared neurofilament light chain and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels in CSF (n = 11) and blood (n = 92) samples of 40 patients with metachromatic leukodystrophy (aged 0–42 years) with 38 neurologically healthy children (aged 0–17 years) and 38 healthy adults (aged 18–45 years), and analysed the associations between these levels with clinical phenotype and disease evolution in untreated and transplanted patients. Metachromatic leukodystrophy subtype was determined based on the (expected) age of symptom onset. Disease activity was assessed by measuring gross motor function deterioration and brain MRI. Longitudinal analyses with measurements up to 23 years after diagnosis were performed using linear mixed models. CSF and blood neurofilament light chain and GFAP levels in paediatric controls were negatively associated with age (all P < 0.001). Blood neurofilament light chain level at diagnosis (median, interquartile range; picograms per millilitre) was significantly increased in both presymptomatic (14.7, 10.6–56.7) and symptomatic patients (136, 40.8–445) compared to controls (5.6, 4.5–7.1), and highest among patients with late-infantile (456, 201–854) or early-juvenile metachromatic leukodystrophy (291.0, 104–445) and those ineligible for treatment based on best practice (291, 57.4–472). GFAP level (median, interquartile range; picogram per millilitre) was only increased in symptomatic patients (591, 224–1150) compared to controls (119, 78.2–338) and not significantly associated with treatment eligibility (P = 0.093). Higher blood neurofilament light chain and GFAP levels at diagnosis were associated with rapid disease progression in late-infantile (P = 0.006 and P = 0.051, respectively) and early-juvenile patients (P = 0.048 and P = 0.039, respectively). Finally, blood neurofilament light chain and GFAP levels decreased during follow-up in untreated and transplanted patients but remained elevated compared with controls. Only neurofilament light chain levels were associated with MRI deterioration (P < 0.001). This study indicates that both proteins may be considered as non-invasive biomarkers for clinical phenotype and disease stage at clinical assessment, and that neurofilament light chain might enable neurologists to make better informed treatment decisions. In addition, neurofilament light chain holds promise assessing treatment response. Importantly, both biomarkers require paediatric reference values, given that their levels first decrease before increasing with advancing age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanice Beerepoot
- Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Department of Child Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Nierkens and Lindemans group, Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Heijst
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Birthe Roos
- Metabolic Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Mirjam M C Wamelink
- Metabolic Unit, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam Gastroenterology & Metabolism, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jaap Jan Boelens
- Center for Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapies, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 10065 New York, USA
| | - Caroline A Lindemans
- Nierkens and Lindemans group, Princess Máxima Center for pediatric oncology, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 EA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter M van Hasselt
- Department of Pediatric Metabolic Diseases, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 EA Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Edwin H Jacobs
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marjo S van der Knaap
- Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Department of Child Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte E Teunissen
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Nicole I Wolf
- Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Department of Child Neurology, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam Neuroscience, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Graceffa V. Clinical Development of Cell Therapies to Halt Lysosomal Storage Diseases: Results and Lessons Learned. Curr Gene Ther 2021; 22:191-213. [PMID: 34323185 DOI: 10.2174/1566523221666210728141924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Although cross-correction was discovered more than 50 years ago, and held the promise of drastically improving disease management, still no cure exists for lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs). Cell therapies hold the potential to halt disease progression: either a subset of autologous cells can be ex vivo/ in vivo transfected with the functional gene or allogenic wild type stem cells can be transplanted. However, majority of cell-based attempts have been ineffective, due to the difficulties in reversing neuronal symptomatology, in finding appropriate gene transfection approaches, in inducing immune tolerance, reducing the risk of graft versus host disease (GVHD) when allogenic cells are used and that of immune response when engineered viruses are administered, coupled with a limited secretion and uptake of some enzymes. In the last decade, due to advances in our understanding of lysosomal biology and mechanisms of cross-correction, coupled with progresses in gene therapy, ongoing pre-clinical and clinical investigations have remarkably increased. Even gene editing approaches are currently under clinical experimentation. This review proposes to critically discuss and compare trends and advances in cell-based and gene therapy for LSDs. Systemic gene delivery and transplantation of allogenic stem cells will be initially discussed, whereas proposed brain targeting methods will be then critically outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Graceffa
- Cellular Health and Toxicology Research Group (CHAT), Institute of Technology Sligo, Ash Ln, Bellanode, Sligo, Ireland
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18
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Videbæk C, Stokholm J, Sengeløv H, Fjeldborg LU, Larsen VA, Krarup C, Nielsen JE, Grønborg S. Allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in two siblings with adult metachromatic leukodystrophy and a systematic literature review. JIMD Rep 2021; 60:96-104. [PMID: 34258145 PMCID: PMC8260480 DOI: 10.1002/jmd2.12221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Two siblings were diagnosed with adult metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) and treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). While the older sibling was symptomatic at the time of diagnosis, her younger brother was diagnosed and transplanted at the presymptomatic state. We describe patients' clinical, biochemical, and genetic features, as well as neuropsychological and neurophysiological test results, and brain magnetic resonance imaging from pretransplantation and posttransplantation assessments. Both patients converted to complete donor chimerism and arylsulfatase A levels normalized 3 months posttransplantation. Twelve months posttransplantation, neurological and neuropsychological assessment for both patients showed stabilization, and they remained stable for the 38 months long observation period. To assess the effect of HSCT used as treatment for the rare, adult MLD subtype on survival and stabilization, we performed a systematic literature review and included 7 studies with a total of 26 cases. Of these 26 cases, 6 patients died of HSCT-related complications and 2 patients had graft rejection. Of the remaining 18 patients, 2 patients improved after HSCT, 13 patients stabilized, and 3 patients progressed, suggesting that HSCT potentially benefits adult MLD patients. Larger studies focusing on this subtype are needed and recommendations on criteria for HSCT in adult MLD need to be evolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilie Videbæk
- Neurogenetics Clinic and Research LabDanish Dementia Research Centre, Rigshospitalet, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Centre for Inherited Metabolic DiseaseRigshospitalet, University Hospital CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Department of Clinical GeneticsRigshospitalet, University Hospital CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Jette Stokholm
- Neurogenetics Clinic and Research LabDanish Dementia Research Centre, Rigshospitalet, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Henrik Sengeløv
- Bone Marrow Transplant Unit Copenhagen, Department of HematologyUniversity of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | | | - Vibeke Andrée Larsen
- Department of RadiologyRigshospitalet, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Christian Krarup
- Department of Clinical NeurophysiologyRigshospitalet, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Jørgen E. Nielsen
- Neurogenetics Clinic and Research LabDanish Dementia Research Centre, Rigshospitalet, University of CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Sabine Grønborg
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Centre for Inherited Metabolic DiseaseRigshospitalet, University Hospital CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
- Department of Clinical GeneticsRigshospitalet, University Hospital CopenhagenCopenhagenDenmark
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Beck‐Wödl S, Kehrer C, Harzer K, Haack TB, Bürger F, Haas D, Rieß A, Groeschel S, Krägeloh‐Mann I, Böhringer J. Long-term disease course of two patients with multiple sulfatase deficiency differs from metachromatic leukodystrophy in a broad cohort. JIMD Rep 2021; 58:80-88. [PMID: 33728250 PMCID: PMC7932862 DOI: 10.1002/jmd2.12189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sulfatase deficiency (MSD) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency of formylglycine-generating enzyme due to SUMF1 defects. MSD may be misdiagnosed as metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), as neurological and neuroimaging findings are similar, and arylsulfatase A (ARSA) deficiency and enhanced urinary sulfatide excretion may also occur. While ARSA deficiency seems a cause for neurological symptoms and later neurodegenerative disease course, deficiency of other sulfatases results in clinical features such as dysmorphism, dysostosis, or ichthyosis. We report on a girl and a boy of the same origin presenting with severe ARSA deficiency and neurological and neuroimaging features compatible with MLD. However, exome sequencing revealed not yet described homozygosity of the missense variant c.529G > C, p.Ala177Pro in SUMF1. We asked whether dynamics of disease course differs between MSD and MLD. Comparison to a cohort of 59 MLD patients revealed different disease course concerning onset and disease progression in both MSD patients. The MSD patients showed first gross motor symptoms earlier than most patients with juvenile MLD (<10th percentile of Gross-Motor-Function in MLD [GMFC-MLD] 1). However, subsequent motor decline was more protracted (75th and 90th percentile of GMFC-MLD 2 (loss of independent walking) and 75th percentile of GMFC-MLD 5 (loss of any locomotion)). Language decline started clearly after 50th percentile of juvenile MLD and progressed rapidly. Thus, dynamics of disease course may be a further clue for the characterization of MSD. These data may contribute to knowledge of natural course of ultra-rare MSD and be relevant for counseling and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Beck‐Wödl
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied GenomicsUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
| | - Christiane Kehrer
- Department of NeuropediatricsUniversity Children's HospitalTübingenGermany
| | - Klaus Harzer
- Department of NeuropediatricsUniversity Children's HospitalTübingenGermany
| | - Tobias B. Haack
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied GenomicsUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
| | | | - Dorothea Haas
- Metabolic CentreUniversity Children's HospitalHeidelbergGermany
| | - Angelika Rieß
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied GenomicsUniversity of TübingenTübingenGermany
| | - Samuel Groeschel
- Department of NeuropediatricsUniversity Children's HospitalTübingenGermany
| | | | - Judith Böhringer
- Department of NeuropediatricsUniversity Children's HospitalTübingenGermany
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