Paul Harmatz

A phase II/III clinical study of enzyme replacement therapy with idursulfase in mucopolysaccharidosis II (Hunter syndrome)

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of recombinant human iduronate-2-sulfatase (idursulfase) in the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis II.Methods: Ninety-six mucopolysaccharidosis II patients between 5 and 31 years of age were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Patients were randomized to placebo infusions, weekly idursulfase (0.5 mg/kg) infusions or every-other-week infusions of idursulfase (0.5 mg/kg). Efficacy was evaluated using a composite endpoint consisting of distance walked in 6 minutes and the percentage of predicted forced vital capacity based on the sum of the ranks of change from baseline.Results: Patients in the weekly and every-other-week idursulfase groups exhibited significant improvement in the composite endpoint compared to placebo (P = 0.0049 for weekly and P = 0.0416 for every-other-week) after one year. The weekly dosing group experienced a 37-m increase in the 6-minute-walk distance (P = 0.013), a 2.7% increase in percentage of predicted forced vital capacity (P = 0.065), and a 160 mL increase in absolute forced vital capacity (P = 0.001) compared to placebo group at 53 weeks. Idursulfase was generally well tolerated, but infusion reactions did occur. Idursulfase antibodies were detected in 46.9% of patients during the study.Conclusion: This study supports the use of weekly infusions of idursulfase in the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis II.

Oxidative stress and inflammation in iron‐overloaded patients with β‐thalassaemia or sickle cell disease

Blood transfusion therapy is life‐saving for patients with β‐thalassaemia and sickle cell disease (SCD), but often results in severe iron overload. This pilot study examined whether the biomarkers of tissue injury or inflammation differ in these two diseases. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly increased 1·8‐fold in thalassaemia relative to control patients. In contrast, MDA in SCD was not significantly different from controls. In multivariate analysis, the strongest predictors of elevated MDA were liver iron concentration (P < 0·001) and specific diagnosis (P = 0·019). A significant 2‐fold elevation of non‐transferrin bound iron (NTBI) was observed in thalassaemia relative to SCD. NTBI was not a significant predictor of high MDA in multivariate analysis. SCD patients showed a significant 2·2‐fold elevation of the inflammatory marker interleukin (IL)‐6 relative to controls, and a 3·6‐ and 1·7‐fold increase in IL‐5 and IL‐10 relative to thalassaemia. Although α‐tocopherol was significantly decreased by at least 32% in both thalassaemia and SCD, indicating ongoing oxidant stress and antioxidant consumption, γ‐tocopherol, a nitric oxide‐selective antioxidant, was increased 36% in SCD relative to thalassaemia. These results demonstrate that thalassaemia patients have increased MDA and circulating NTBI relative to SCD patients and lower levels of some cytokines and γ‐tocopherol. This supports the hypothesis that the biology of SCD may show increased inflammation and increased levels of protective antioxidants compared with thalassaemia.

Recognition and Diagnosis of Mucopolysaccharidosis II (Hunter Syndrome)

Mucopolysaccharidosis II, also known as Hunter syndrome, is a rare, X-linked disorder caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme iduronate-2-sulfatase, which catalyzes a step in the catabolism of glycosaminoglycans. In patients with mucopolysaccharidosis II, glycosaminoglycans accumulate within tissues and organs, contributing to the signs and symptoms of the disease. Mucopolysaccharidosis II affects multiple organs and physiologic systems and has a variable age of onset and variable rate of progression. Common presenting features include excess urinary glycosaminoglycan excretion, facial dysmorphism, organomegaly, joint stiffness and contractures, pulmonary dysfunction, myocardial enlargement and valvular dysfunction, and neurologic involvement. In patients with neurologic involvement, intelligence is impaired, and death usually occurs in the second decade of life, whereas those patients with minimal or no neurologic involvement may survive into adulthood with normal intellectual development. Enzyme replacement therapy has emerged as a new treatment for mucopolysaccharidosis disorders, including Hunter syndrome. The purpose of this report is to provide a concise review of mucopolysaccharidosis II for practitioners with the hope that such information will help identify affected boys earlier in the course of their disease.

Management Guidelines for Mucopolysaccharidosis VI

Mucopolysaccharidosis VI (Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome) is a lysosomal storage disease that is characterized by systemic clinical manifestations and significant functional impairment. Diagnosis and management are often challenging because of the considerable variability in symptom presentation and rate of progression. The optimal standard of care should be based on evidence from randomized, controlled trials, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and expert opinion. In support of this goal, comprehensive management guidelines have been drafted by an international group of experts in the management of patients with mucopolysaccharidosis VI. The guidelines provide a detailed outline of disease manifestations by body system, recommendations for regular assessments, and an overview of current treatment options.

Direct Comparison of Measures of Endurance, Mobility, and Joint Function During Enzyme-Replacement Therapy of Mucopolysaccharidosis VI (Maroteaux-Lamy Syndrome): Results After 48 Weeks in a Phase 2 Open-Label Clinical Study of Recombinant Human N-Acetylgalactosamine 4-Sulfatase

Objective. Mucopolysaccharidosis VI (MPS VI; Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency of the enzyme N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfatase (ASB). This enzyme deficiency leads to a progressive disorder with multiple tissue and organ involvement. The disease is rare and is heterogeneous in its clinical presentation and progression. A potential treatment for this disease exists in the form of enzyme-replacement therapy (ERT) with recombinant human ASB (rhASB), and a phase 1/2 randomized, double-blind, 2-dose (0.2 and 1 mg/kg) study in 6 patients showed the treatment at 48 weeks to be well tolerated. Greater biochemical efficacy based on a urine glycosaminoglycan occurred in the high-dose (1 mg/kg) group, and functional improvement seemed greater in patients in the high-dose group with rapidly advancing disease. On the basis of the phase 1/2 results, a phase 2, open-label study in patients with rapidly advancing disease was initiated primarily to evaluate efficacy variables that measure endurance, mobility, and joint function in a larger group of patients. Methods. This was an open-label, multinational study of 10 MPS VI patients who received 48 weekly intravenous treatments with 1.0 mg/kg rhASB and had assessments of biochemical and clinical responses at regular intervals. Results. After 24 weeks of treatment, each patient on average experienced a 155-m (98%) improvement in the 12-minute walk, a 64-m (62%) improvement at the 6-minute time point of the 12-minute walk, and a 48-stair (110%) gain in the 3-minute stair climb versus the baseline mean values. Additional improvements after 48 weeks of treatment were observed, including mean values of 211 m (138%) in the 12-minute walk, 75 m (80%) at the 6-minute time point of the 12-minute walk, and 61-stair (147%) gain in the 3-minute stair climb versus the baseline mean values. Joint Pain and Stiffness Questionnaire scores improved by at least 50% by week 24 and were maintained at week 48, whereas there were only small improvements in active shoulder range of motion (<10°) and in the time taken to stand, walk, and turn starting from a seated position (Expanded Timed Get-Up and Go test). Improvement in pulmonary function based on forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume at 1 minute in the absence of growth was observed in 3 of 6 patients, and the observed gains occurred in the 24- to 48-week treatment interval. A mean decrease of 76% in urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycans indicated that a satisfactory biochemical response was achieved and the ERT was well tolerated. Conclusions. The results suggest that a 12-minute walk extends the dynamic range of the conventional 6-minute walk and, along with the 3-minute stair climb, provide a robust approach to documenting the improvement in endurance in MPS VI patients who undergo ERT with rhASB.

Long-term follow-up of endurance and safety outcomes during enzyme replacement therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis VI: Final results of three clinical studies of recombinant human N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfatase

UNLABELLED The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term clinical benefits and safety of recombinant human arylsulfatase B (rhASB) treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (MPS VI: Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome), a lysosomal storage disease. Fifty-six patients derived from 3 clinical studies were followed in open-label extension studies for a total period of 97-260 Weeks. All patients received weekly infusions of rhASB at 1 mg/kg. Efficacy was evaluated by (1) distance walked in a 12-minute walk test (12MWT) or 6-minute walk test (6MWT), (2) stairs climbed in the 3-minute stair climb (3MSC), and (3) reduction in urinary glycosaminoglycans (GAG). Safety was evaluated by compliance, adverse event (AE) reporting and adherence to treatment. RESULTS A significant reduction in urinary GAG (71-79%) was sustained. For the 12MWT, subjects in Phase 2 showed improvement of 255+/-191 m (mean+/-SD) at Week 144; those in Phase 3 Extension demonstrated improvement from study baseline of 183+/-26 m (mean+/- SE) in the rhASB/rhASB group at Week 96 and from treatment baseline (Week 24) of 117+/-25 m in the placebo/rhASB group. The Phase 1/2 6MWT and the 3MSC from Phase 2 and 3 also showed sustained improvements through the final study measurements. Compliance was 98% overall. Only 560 of 4121 reported AEs (14%) were related to treatment with only 10 of 560 (2%) described as severe. CONCLUSION rhASB treatment up to 5 years results in sustained improvements in endurance and has an acceptable safety profile.

Efficacy of sapropterin dihydrochloride in increasing phenylalanine tolerance in children with phenylketonuria: a phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the ability of sapropterin dihydrochloride (pharmaceutical preparation of tetrahydrobiopterin) to increase phenylalanine (Phe) tolerance while maintaining adequate blood Phe control in 4- to 12-year-old children with phenylketonuria (PKU). STUDY DESIGN This international, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study screened for sapropterin response among 90 enrolled subjects in Part 1. In Part 2, 46 responsive subjects with PKU were randomized (3:1) to sapropterin, 20 mg/kg/d, or placebo for 10 weeks while continuing on a Phe-restricted diet. After 3 weeks, a dietary Phe supplement was added every 2 weeks if Phe control was adequate. RESULTS The mean (+/-SD) Phe supplement tolerated by the sapropterin group had increased significantly from the pretreatment amount (0 mg/kg/d) to 20.9 (+/-15.4) mg/kg/d (P < .001) at the last visit at which subjects had adequate blood Phe control (<360 micromol/L), up to week 10. Over the 10-week period, the placebo group tolerated only an additional 2.9 (+/-4.0) mg/kg/d Phe supplement; the mean difference from the sapropterin group (+/-SE) was 17.7 +/- 4.5 mg/kg/d (P < .001). No severe or serious related adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS Sapropterin is effective in increasing Phe tolerance while maintaining blood Phe control and has an acceptable safety profile in this population of children with PKU.

Long-term, open-labeled extension study of idursulfase in the treatment of Hunter syndrome

Purpose: This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of long-term enzyme replacement therapy with idursulfase (recombinant human iduronate-2-sulfatase) in patients with Hunter syndrome.Methods: All 94 patients who completed a 53-week double-blinded study of idursulfase enrolled in this open-labeled extension study and received intravenous idursulfase at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg weekly for 2 years, and clinical outcomes and safety were assessed.Results: No change in percent predicted forced vital capacity was seen, but absolute forced vital capacity demonstrated sustained improvement and was increased 25.1% at the end of the study. Statistically significant increases in 6-minute walking test distance were observed at most time points. Mean liver and spleen volumes remained reduced throughout the 2-year extension study. Mean joint range of motion improved for the shoulder and remained stable in other joints. Both the parent- and child-assessed Child Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index Score demonstrated significant improvement. Infusion-related adverse events occurred in 53% of patients and peaked at Month 3 of treatment and declined thereafter. Neutralizing IgG antibodies were detected in 23% of patients and seemed to attenuate the improvement in pulmonary function.Conclusions: Weekly infusions of idursulfase result in sustained clinical improvement during 3 years of treatment.

The effect of deferasirox on cardiac iron in thalassemia major: impact of total body iron stores.

We present results from a prospective, multicenter, open-label, single-arm study evaluating response of cardiac and liver iron to deferasirox therapy for 18 months. Twenty-eight patients with abnormal T2* and normal left ventricular ejection fraction were enrolled from 4 US centers. All patients initially received deferasirox doses of 30 to 40 mg/kg per day. Patients were severely iron overloaded: mean liver iron concentration (LIC) 20.3 mg Fe/g dry weight, serum ferritin 4417 ng/mL, and cardiac T2* 8.6 ms. In the intent-to-treat population, 48% reached the primary endpoint (cardiac T2* improvement at 18 months, P = not significant). There were 2 deaths: 1 from congestive heart failure and 1 from sepsis. In the 22 patients completing the trial, LIC and cardiac T2* improvements were 16% (P = .06) and 14% (P = .07), respectively. Cardiac T2* improvement (13 patients) was predicted by initial LIC, final LIC, and percentage LIC change, but not initial cardiac T2*. Cardiac iron improved 24% in patients having LIC in the lower 2 quartiles and worsened 8.7% in patients having LIC in the upper 2 quartiles. Left ventricular ejection fraction was unchanged at all time points. Monotherapy with deferasirox was effective in patients with mild to moderate iron stores but failed to remove cardiac iron in patients with severe hepatic iron burdens. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00447694.

Multidisciplinary management of Hunter syndrome

Hunter syndrome is a rare, X-linked disorder caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme iduronate-2-sulfatase. In the absence of sufficient enzyme activity, glycosaminoglycans accumulate in the lysosomes of many tissues and organs and contribute to the multisystem, progressive pathologies seen in Hunter syndrome. The nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, and musculoskeletal systems can be involved in individuals with Hunter syndrome. Although the management of some clinical problems associated with the disease may seem routine, the management is typically complex and requires the physician to be aware of the special issues surrounding the patient with Hunter syndrome, and a multidisciplinary approach should be taken. Subspecialties such as otorhinolaryngology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, cardiology, anesthesiology, pulmonology, and neurodevelopment will all have a role in management, as will specialty areas such as physiotherapy, audiology, and others. The important management topics are discussed in this review, and the use of enzyme-replacement therapy with recombinant human iduronate-2-sulfatase as a specific treatment for Hunter syndrome is presented.