J Goldblatt1, J Szer, J M Fletcher, J McGill, J A Rowell, M Wilson. 1. Department of Paediatrics, University of Western Australia, Genetic Services of WA, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Western Australia. Jack.Goldblatt@health.wa.gov.au
Abstract
AIM: To study the effectiveness of a specific national programme of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for patients with severe forms of Gaucher disease, a disorder of sphingolipid metabolism resulting from an inherited deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme beta-Glucocerebrosidase. METHODS: Prospective analysis of data submitted at entry and every 6 months on therapy. The responses of haemoglobin (Hb) and platelet (plt) concentrations, liver and spleen volumes were assessed. PATIENTS: Forty-eight patients were treated with ERT for a minimum of 6 months. Forty patients had Type 1 disease and eight had Type 3B. The age range was 1-70 years (median 24 years). Duration of therapy at the time of analysis was 6-114 months. RESULTS: Thirty-six per cent of patients started with a normal Hb increasing to 76% after 6 months. The mean improvement in Hb from baseline to the end of study period was 20 g/L, when the Hb was normal in 85% (41 patients). Thirty per cent of patients had a normal plt count at the start of therapy, with a more gradual increase in the count at 6 monthly intervals of 50, 91, 108 and 142% of starting value. Seventy-five per cent of patients had a normal plt count at the end of study. Spleen volumes reduced by a mean of 56% in 33 evaluable patients, and the liver by 27% in 30 of 38 evaluable patients. Eight patients had an increase in liver volume of 28%. CONCLUSION: Enzyme replacement therapy produced a spectrum of beneficial responses in patients with Gaucher disease, but all had some evidence of reversal of haematological complications and/or reduction in visceromegaly. Future analyses will examine the effect of therapy on bone disease, prepubertal growth and quality of life.
AIM: To study the effectiveness of a specific national programme of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for patients with severe forms of Gaucher disease, a disorder of sphingolipid metabolism resulting from an inherited deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme beta-Glucocerebrosidase. METHODS: Prospective analysis of data submitted at entry and every 6 months on therapy. The responses of haemoglobin (Hb) and platelet (plt) concentrations, liver and spleen volumes were assessed. PATIENTS: Forty-eight patients were treated with ERT for a minimum of 6 months. Forty patients had Type 1 disease and eight had Type 3B. The age range was 1-70 years (median 24 years). Duration of therapy at the time of analysis was 6-114 months. RESULTS: Thirty-six per cent of patients started with a normal Hb increasing to 76% after 6 months. The mean improvement in Hb from baseline to the end of study period was 20 g/L, when the Hb was normal in 85% (41 patients). Thirty per cent of patients had a normal plt count at the start of therapy, with a more gradual increase in the count at 6 monthly intervals of 50, 91, 108 and 142% of starting value. Seventy-five per cent of patients had a normal plt count at the end of study. Spleen volumes reduced by a mean of 56% in 33 evaluable patients, and the liver by 27% in 30 of 38 evaluable patients. Eight patients had an increase in liver volume of 28%. CONCLUSION: Enzyme replacement therapy produced a spectrum of beneficial responses in patients with Gaucher disease, but all had some evidence of reversal of haematological complications and/or reduction in visceromegaly. Future analyses will examine the effect of therapy on bone disease, prepubertal growth and quality of life.
Authors: P Grigorescu Sido; C Drugan; V Cret; C Al-Kzouz; C Denes; C Coldea; A Zimmermann Journal: J Inherit Metab Dis Date: 2007-08-20 Impact factor: 4.982