Browsing by Author "Case, Laura E"

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    ItemOpen Access
    A retrospective longitudinal study and comprehensive review of adult patients with glycogen storage disease type III.
    (Molecular genetics and metabolism reports, 2021-12) Hijazi, Ghada; Paschall, Anna; Young, Sarah P; Smith, Brian; Case, Laura E; Boggs, Tracy; Amarasekara, Sathya; Austin, Stephanie L; Pendyal, Surekha; El-Gharbawy, Areeg; Deak, Kristen L; Muir, Andrew J; Kishnani, Priya S

    Introduction

    A deficiency of glycogen debrancher enzyme in patients with glycogen storage disease type III (GSD III) manifests with hepatic, cardiac, and muscle involvement in the most common subtype (type a), or with only hepatic involvement in patients with GSD IIIb.

    Objective and methods

    To describe longitudinal biochemical, radiological, muscle strength and ambulation, liver histopathological findings, and clinical outcomes in adults (≥18 years) with glycogen storage disease type III, by a retrospective review of medical records.

    Results

    Twenty-one adults with GSD IIIa (14 F & 7 M) and four with GSD IIIb (1 F & 3 M) were included in this natural history study. At the most recent visit, the median (range) age and follow-up time were 36 (19-68) and 16 years (0-41), respectively. For the entire cohort: 40% had documented hypoglycemic episodes in adulthood; hepatomegaly and cirrhosis were the most common radiological findings; and 28% developed decompensated liver disease and portal hypertension, the latter being more prevalent in older patients. In the GSD IIIa group, muscle weakness was a major feature, noted in 89% of the GSD IIIa cohort, a third of whom depended on a wheelchair or an assistive walking device. Older individuals tended to show more severe muscle weakness and mobility limitations, compared with younger adults. Asymptomatic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was the most common cardiac manifestation, present in 43%. Symptomatic cardiomyopathy and reduced ejection fraction was evident in 10%. Finally, a urinary biomarker of glycogen storage (Glc4) was significantly associated with AST, ALT and CK.

    Conclusion

    GSD III is a multisystem disorder in which a multidisciplinary approach with regular clinical, biochemical, radiological and functional (physical therapy assessment) follow-up is required. Despite dietary modification, hepatic and myopathic disease progression is evident in adults, with muscle weakness as the major cause of morbidity. Consequently, definitive therapies that address the underlying cause of the disease to correct both liver and muscle are needed.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Adjunctive albuterol enhances the response to enzyme replacement therapy in late-onset Pompe disease.
    (FASEB J, 2014-05) Koeberl, Dwight D; Austin, Stephanie; Case, Laura E; Smith, Edward C; Buckley, Anne F; Young, Sarah P; Bali, Deeksha; Kishnani, Priya S
    Effective dosages for enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) in Pompe disease are much higher than for other lysosomal storage disorders, which has been attributed to low cation-independent mannose-6-phosphate receptor (CI-MPR) in skeletal muscle. We have previously demonstrated the benefit of increased CI-MPR-mediated uptake of recombinant human acid-α-glucosidase during ERT in mice with Pompe disease following addition of albuterol therapy. Currently we have completed a pilot study of albuterol in patients with late-onset Pompe disease already on ERT for >2 yr, who were not improving further. The 6-min walk test (6MWT) distance increased in all 7 subjects at wk 6 (30±13 m; P=0.002), wk 12 (34±14 m; P=0.004), and wk 24 (42±37 m; P=0.02), in comparison with baseline. Grip strength was improved significantly for both hands at wk 12. Furthermore, individual subjects reported benefits; e.g., a female patient could stand up from sitting on the floor much more easily (time for supine to standing position decreased from 30 to 11 s), and a male patient could readily swing his legs out of his van seat (hip abduction increased from 1 to 2+ on manual muscle testing). Finally, analysis of the quadriceps biopsies suggested increased CI-MPR at wk 12 (P=0.08), compared with baseline. With the exception of 1 patient who succumbed to respiratory complications of Pompe disease in the first week, only mild adverse events have been reported, including tremor, transient difficulty falling asleep, and mild urinary retention (requiring early morning voiding). Therefore, this pilot study revealed initial safety and efficacy in an open label study of adjunctive albuterol therapy in patients with late-onset Pompe disease who had been stable on ERT with no improvements noted over the previous several years.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Alglucosidase alfa enzyme replacement therapy as a therapeutic approach for a patient presenting with a PRKAG2 mutation.
    (Mol Genet Metab, 2017-01) Austin, Stephanie L; Chiou, Andrew; Sun, Baodong; Case, Laura E; Govendrageloo, Kenny; Hansen, Perrin; Kishnani, Priya S
    OBJECTIVE: PRKAG2 syndrome, an autosomal dominant disorder, is characterized by severe infantile hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and heart rhythm disturbances to cases with a later presentation and a spectrum of manifestations including cardiac manifestations, myopathy and seizures. The cardiac features of PRKAG2 resemble the cardiac manifestations of Pompe disease. We present a patient who was initially diagnosed with Pompe disease and treated with alglucosidase-alfa enzyme replacement therapy (ERT); however, he was eventually diagnosed to carrying a PRKAG2 pathogenic gene mutation; he did not have Pompe disease instead he was a carrier for the common adult leaky splice site mutation in the GAA gene. CASE REPORT: At 2.5months, the patient had hypotonia/generalized muscle weakness, a diagnosis of non-classic infantile Pompe disease was made based on low acid alpha-glucosidase activity and the patient started on ERT at 11months. However, 1month later, the patient began to have seizures. As the patient's medical history was somewhat unusual for infantile Pompe disease, further evaluation was initiated and included a glycogen storage disease sequencing panel which showed that the patient had a pathogenic mutation in PRKAG2 which had been reported previously. ERT was discontinued and patient had a progression of motor deficits. ERT was reinitiated by the treating physician, and a clinical benefit was noted. CONCLUSION: This report outlines the benefits of ERT with alglucosidase alfa in a patient with PRKAG2 syndrome, the decline in his condition when the ERT infusions were discontinued, and the significant positive response when ERT was reinitiated.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Bulbar muscle weakness and fatty lingual infiltration in glycogen storage disorder type IIIa.
    (Molecular genetics and metabolism, 2012-11) Horvath, Jeffrey J; Austin, Stephanie L; Jones, Harrison N; Drake, Elizabeth J; Case, Laura E; Soher, Brian J; Bashir, Mustafa R; Kishnani, Priya S
    Glycogen storage disorder type III (GSD III) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder resulting from a deficiency of glycogen debranching enzyme, critical in cytosolic glycogen degradation. GSD IIIa, the most common form of GSD III, primarily affects the liver, cardiac muscle, and skeletal muscle. Although skeletal muscle weakness occurs commonly in GSD IIIa, bulbar muscle involvement has not been previously reported. Here we present three GSD IIIa patients with clinical evidence of bulbar weakness based on instrumental assessment of lingual strength. Dysarthria and/or dysphagia, generally mild in severity, were evident in all three individuals. One patient also underwent correlative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which was remarkable for fatty infiltration at the base of the intrinsic tongue musculature, as well as abnormal expansion of the fibro-fatty lingual septum. Additionally, we provide supportive evidence of diffuse glycogen infiltration of the tongue at necropsy in a naturally occurring canine model of GSD IIIa. While further investigation in a larger group of patients with GSD III is needed to determine the incidence of bulbar muscle involvement in this condition and whether it occurs in GSD IIIb, clinical surveillance of lingual strength is recommended.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Correlation between quantitative whole-body muscle magnetic resonance imaging and clinical muscle weakness in Pompe disease.
    (Muscle & nerve, 2015-05) Horvath, Jeffrey J; Austin, Stephanie L; Case, Laura E; Greene, Karla B; Jones, Harrison N; Soher, Brian J; Kishnani, Priya S; Bashir, Mustafa R

    Introduction

    Previous examination of whole-body muscle involvement in Pompe disease has been limited to physical examination and/or qualitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this study we assess the feasibility of quantitative proton-density fat-fraction (PDFF) whole-body MRI in late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) and compare the results with manual muscle testing.

    Methods

    Seven LOPD patients and 11 disease-free controls underwent whole-body PDFF MRI. Quantitative MR muscle group assessments were compared with physical testing of muscle groups.

    Results

    The 95% upper limits of confidence intervals for muscle groups were 4.9-12.6% in controls and 6.8-76.4% in LOPD patients. LOPD patients showed severe and consistent tongue and axial muscle group involvement, with less marked involvement of peripheral musculature. MRI was more sensitive than physical examination for detection of abnormality in multiple muscle groups.

    Conclusion

    This integrated, quantitative approach to muscle assessment provides more detailed data than physical examination and may have clinical utility for monitoring disease progression and treatment response.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Early clinical phenotype of late onset Pompe disease: Lessons learned from newborn screening.
    (Molecular genetics and metabolism, 2022-03) Huggins, Erin; Holland, Maggie; Case, Laura E; Blount, Janet; Landstrom, Andrew P; Jones, Harrison N; Kishnani, Priya S

    Purpose

    Thoroughly phenotype children with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) diagnosed via newborn screening (NBS) to provide guidance for long-term follow up.

    Methods

    Twenty infants ages 6-21 months with LOPD diagnosed by NBS underwent systematic clinical evaluation at Duke University including cardiac imaging, biomarker testing, physical therapy evaluation, and speech-language pathology evaluation.

    Results

    Of the 20 infants, four were homozygous for the "late-onset" IVS1 splice site variant c.-32-13 T > G, fourteen were compound heterozygous, and two did not have any copies of this variant. None of the patients had evidence of cardiomyopathy or cardiac rhythm disturbances. Biomarker testing showed an increase in CK, AST, and ALT in 8 patients (40%) and increase in Glc4 in two patients (10%). All patients demonstrated postural and kinematic concerns. Three patients (17%) scored below the 10%ile on the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and 15 patients (83%) scored above the 10%ile. Speech-language pathology assessments were normal in all patients and mild feeding/swallowing abnormalities were noted in nine patients (45%).

    Conclusion

    Our data show high variability among children with LOPD diagnosed via NBS. Careful physical therapy evaluation is necessary to monitor for subtle musculoskeletal signs that may reflect early muscle involvement. Patients should be monitored closely for symptom progression.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Early cognitive development in children with infantile Pompe disease.
    (Molecular genetics and metabolism, 2012-03) Spiridigliozzi, Gail A; Heller, James H; Case, Laura E; Jones, Harrison N; Kishnani, Priya S
    This report describes the cognitive development of 17 children with infantile Pompe disease who participated in a 52-week clinical trial of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) via biweekly infusion of Myozyme® (alglucosidase alfa). Subjects were six months of age or younger (adjusted for gestational age) upon initiation of ERT. The Mental Scale of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-Second Edition (BSID-II) was administered to obtain a Mental Development Index (MDI) at baseline and weeks 12, 26, 38, and 52 of ERT to assess cognitive development in this treated cohort. Data regarding motor development were also obtained at the same visits and these were used to determine correlations between cognitive and motor development. Over the course of the study, two subgroups of subjects emerged: high responders who were sitting independently and/or ambulating by week 52 (n=13) and limited responders who showed minimal motor gains throughout the first year of ERT (n=4). In the high responder group, MDI scores on the BSID-II remained stable throughout the study and were within normal limits. Positive correlations between cognitive and motor development were also present. These data suggest that the cognitive function of infants up to 18 months of age with Pompe disease is unaffected by the possible presence of glycogen in the central nervous system. Continued investigation of the cognitive development of older survivors is warranted.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Effect of Autologous Cord Blood Infusion on Motor Function and Brain Connectivity in Young Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
    (Stem cells translational medicine, 2017-12) Sun, Jessica M; Song, Allen W; Case, Laura E; Mikati, Mohamad A; Gustafson, Kathryn E; Simmons, Ryan; Goldstein, Ricki; Petry, Jodi; McLaughlin, Colleen; Waters-Pick, Barbara; Chen, Lyon W; Wease, Stephen; Blackwell, Beth; Worley, Gordon; Troy, Jesse; Kurtzberg, Joanne
    Cerebral palsy (CP) is a condition affecting young children that causes lifelong disabilities. Umbilical cord blood cells improve motor function in experimental systems via paracrine signaling. After demonstrating safety, we conducted a phase II trial of autologous cord blood (ACB) infusion in children with CP to test whether ACB could improve function (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01147653; IND 14360). In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of a single intravenous infusion of 1-5 × 107 total nucleated cells per kilogram of ACB, children ages 1 to 6 years with CP were randomly assigned to receive ACB or placebo at baseline, followed by the alternate infusion 1 year later. Motor function and magnetic resonance imaging brain connectivity studies were performed at baseline, 1, and 2 years post-treatment. The primary endpoint was change in motor function 1 year after baseline infusion. Additional analyses were performed at 2 years. Sixty-three children (median age 2.1 years) were randomized to treatment (n = 32) or placebo (n = 31) at baseline. Although there was no difference in mean change in Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66) scores at 1 year between placebo and treated groups, a dosing effect was identified. In an analysis 1 year post-ACB treatment, those who received doses ≥2 × 107 /kg demonstrated significantly greater increases in GMFM-66 scores above those predicted by age and severity, as well as in Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2 Gross Motor Quotient scores and normalized brain connectivity. Results of this study suggest that appropriately dosed ACB infusion improves brain connectivity and gross motor function in young children with CP. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2017;6:2071-2078.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Effects of respiratory muscle training (RMT) in children with infantile-onset Pompe disease and respiratory muscle weakness.
    (Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicine, 2014-01) Jones, Harrison N; Crisp, Kelly D; Moss, Tronda; Strollo, Katherine; Robey, Randy; Sank, Jeffrey; Canfield, Michelle; Case, Laura E; Mahler, Leslie; Kravitz, Richard M; Kishnani, Priya S

    Purpose

    Respiratory muscle weakness is a primary therapeutic challenge for patients with infantile Pompe disease. We previously described the clinical implementation of a respiratory muscle training (RMT) regimen in two adults with late-onset Pompe disease; both demonstrated marked increases in inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength in response to RMT. However, the use of RMT in pediatric survivors of infantile Pompe disease has not been previously reported.

    Method

    We report the effects of an intensive RMT program on maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) using A-B-A (baseline-treatment-posttest) single subject experimental design in two pediatric survivors of infantile Pompe disease. Both subjects had persistent respiratory muscle weakness despite long-term treatment with alglucosidase alfa.

    Results

    Subject 1 demonstrated negligible to modest increases in MIP/MEP (6% increase in MIP, d=0.25; 19% increase in MEP, d=0.87), while Subject 2 demonstrated very large increases in MIP/MEP (45% increase in MIP, d=2.38; 81% increase in MEP, d=4.31). Following three-month RMT withdrawal, both subjects maintained these strength increases and demonstrated maximal MIP and MEP values at follow-up.

    Conclusion

    Intensive RMT may be a beneficial treatment for respiratory muscle weakness in pediatric survivors of infantile Pompe disease.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Higher dosing of alglucosidase alfa improves outcomes in children with Pompe disease: a clinical study and review of the literature.
    (Genetics in medicine : official journal of the American College of Medical Genetics, 2020-05) Khan, Aleena A; Case, Laura E; Herbert, Mrudu; DeArmey, Stephanie; Jones, Harrison; Crisp, Kelly; Zimmerman, Kanecia; ElMallah, Mai K; Young, Sarah P; Kishnani, Priya S

    Purpose

    Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with recombinant human acid-α glucosidase (rhGAA) at standard dose of 20 mg/kg every other week is insufficient to halt the long-term progression of myopathy in Pompe disease.

    Methods

    We conducted a retrospective study on infantile-onset Pompe disease (IPD) and late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) patients with onset before age 5 years, ≥12 months of treatment with standard dose ERT, and rhGAA immunogenic tolerance prior to dose escalation. Long-term follow-up of up to 18 years was obtained. We obtained physical therapy, lingual strength, biochemical, and pulmonary assessments as dose was escalated.

    Results

    Eleven patients with IPD (n = 7) or LOPD (n = 4) were treated with higher doses of up to 40 mg/kg weekly. There were improvements in gross motor function measure in 9/10 patients, in lingual strength in 6/6 patients, and in pulmonary function in 4/11. Significant reductions in urinary glucose tetrasaccharide, creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were observed at 40 mg/kg weekly compared with lower doses (p < 0.05). No safety or immunogenicity concerns were observed at higher doses.

    Conclusion

    Higher rhGAA doses are safe, improve gross motor outcomes, lingual strength, pulmonary function measures, and biochemical markers in early-onset Pompe disease, and should be considered in patients with clinical and functional decline.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Improved muscle function in a phase I/II clinical trial of albuterol in Pompe disease.
    (Molecular genetics and metabolism, 2020-02) Koeberl, Dwight D; Case, Laura E; Desai, Ankit; Smith, Edward C; Walters, Crista; Han, Sang-Oh; Thurberg, Beth L; Young, Sarah P; Bali, Deeksha; Kishnani, Priya S
    This 24-week, Phase I/II, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study investigated the safety and efficacy of extended-release albuterol in late-onset Pompe disease stably treated with enzyme replacement therapy at the standard dose for 4.9 (1.0-9.4) years and with no contraindications to intake of albuterol. Twelve of 13 participants completed the study. No serious adverse events were related to albuterol, and transient minor drug-related adverse events included muscle spasms and tremors. For the albuterol group, forced vital capacity in the supine position increased by 10% (p < .005), and forced expiratory volume in one second increased by 8% (p < .05); the six-minute walk test increased 25 m (p < .05; excluding one participant unable to complete muscle function testing); the Gross Motor Function Measure increased by 8% (p < .005) with the greatest increases in the Standing (18%; p < .05) and Walking, Running, and Jumping (11%; p < .005) subtests. No significant improvements would be expected in patients with late-onset Pompe disease who were stably treated with enzyme replacement therapy. The placebo group demonstrated no significant increases in performance on any measure. These data support a potential benefit of extended-release albuterol as adjunctive therapy in carefully selected patients with late-onset Pompe disease based on ability to take albuterol on enzyme replacement therapy (NCT01885936).
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    ItemOpen Access
    Motor function and safety after allogeneic cord blood and cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells in cerebral palsy: An open-label, randomized trial.
    (Developmental medicine and child neurology, 2022-07-10) Sun, Jessica M; Case, Laura E; McLaughlin, Colleen; Burgess, Alicia; Skergan, Natalie; Crane, Sydney; Jasien, Joan M; Mikati, Mohamad A; Troy, Jesse; Kurtzberg, Joanne

    Aim

    To evaluate safety and motor function after treatment with allogeneic umbilical cord blood (AlloCB) or umbilical cord tissue-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hCT-MSC) in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

    Method

    Ninety-one children (52 males, 39 females; median age 3 years 7 months [range 2-5 years]) with CP due to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, stroke, or periventricular leukomalacia were randomized to three arms: (1) the AlloCB group received 10 × 107 AlloCB total nucleated cells (TNC) per kilogram at baseline (n = 31); (2) the hCT-MSC group received 2 × 106 hCT-MSC at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months (n = 28); (3) the natural history control group received 10 × 107 AlloCB TNC per kilogram at 12 months (n = 31). Motor function was assessed with the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66) and Peabody Developmental Motor Scale, Second Edition.

    Results

    Infusions (n = 143) were well tolerated, with eight infusion reactions (three in the AlloCB group, five in hCT-MSC) and no other safety concerns. At 12 months, the mean differences (95% confidence intervals [CI]) between actual and expected changes in GMFM-66 score were AlloCB 5.8 points (3.4-8.2), hCT-MSC 4.3 (2.2-6.4), and natural history 3.1 (1.4-5.0). In exploratory, post hoc analysis, the mean GMFM-66 score (95% CI) of the hCT-MSC group was 1.4 points higher than natural history (-1.1 to 4.0; p = 0.27), and the AlloCB group was 3.3 points higher than natural history (0.59-5.93; p = 0.02) after adjustment for baseline Gross Motor Function Classification System level, GMFM-66 score, and etiology.

    Interpretation

    High-dose AlloCB is a potential cell therapy for CP and should be further tested in a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Respiratory muscle training (RMT) in late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD): Effects of training and detraining.
    (Molecular genetics and metabolism, 2016-02) Jones, Harrison N; Crisp, Kelly D; Robey, Randall R; Case, Laura E; Kravitz, Richard M; Kishnani, Priya S

    Background

    Determine the effects of a 12-week respiratory muscle training (RMT) program in late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD).

    Methods

    We investigated the effects of 12-weeks of RMT followed by 3-months detraining using a single-subject A-B-A experimental design replicated across 8 adults with LOPD. To assess maximal volitional respiratory strength, our primary outcomes were maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP). Effect sizes for changes in MIP and MEP were determined using Cohen's d statistic. Exploratory outcomes targeted motor function, and peak cough flow (PCF) was measured in the last 5 subjects.

    Results

    From pretest to posttest, all 8 subjects exhibited increases in MIP, and 7 of 8 showed increases in MEP. Effect size data reveal the magnitude of increases in MIP to be large in 4 (d≥1.0) and very large in 4 (d≥2.0), and effect sizes for increases in MEP were large in 1 (d≥1.0) and very large in 6 (d≥2.0). Across participants, pretest to posttest MIP and MEP increased by a mean of 19.6% (sd=9.9) and 16.1% (sd=17.3), respectively. Respiratory strength increases, particularly for the inspiratory muscles, were generally durable to 3-months detraining.

    Conclusions

    These data suggest our 12-week RMT program results in large to very large increases in inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength in adults with LOPD. Additionally, increases in respiratory strength appeared to be relatively durable following 3-months detraining. Although additional research is needed, RMT appears to offer promise as an adjunctive treatment for respiratory weakness in LOPD.
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    ItemOpen Access
    Sibling umbilical cord blood infusion is safe in young children with cerebral palsy.
    (Stem cells translational medicine, 2021-09) Sun, Jessica M; Case, Laura E; Mikati, Mohamad A; M Jasien, Joan; McLaughlin, Colleen; Waters-Pick, Barbara; Worley, Gordon; Troy, Jesse; Kurtzberg, Joanne
    Preclinical and early phase clinical studies suggest that an appropriately dosed umbilical cord blood (CB) infusion has the potential to help improve motor function in young children with cerebral palsy (CP). As many children with CP do not have their own CB available, use of allogeneic cells would extend access to this potentially beneficial therapy to more children. In this phase I, open-label study, 15 children, aged 1 to 6 years, with moderate to severe spastic CP were treated with a single intravenous infusion of allogeneic human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matched or partially matched sibling CB with a cell dose of ≥2.5 × 107 cells/kg based on the pre-cryopreservation count (median infused cell dose, 3.3 × 107 ; range, 1.8-5.2 × 107 ). There were a total of 49 adverse events (AEs) over a 2-year time period, but there were no AEs related to the CB infusions. Specifically, there were no acute infusion reactions and no antibody formation against platelets, red blood cells, or donor-specific HLA antigens. Donor cells were not detected in peripheral blood 6 months later. Six months after infusion, participants were assessed for response and experienced a mean ± SD increase of 4.7 ± 2.5 points on the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 and 1 ± 2.9 points on the Peabody Gross Motor Quotient. Appropriately dosed, allogeneic partially or fully HLA-matched sibling CB infusion is well tolerated and potentially beneficial in young children with CP.
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    Small-fiber neuropathy in pompe disease: first reported cases and prospective screening of a clinic cohort.
    (Am J Case Rep, 2015-04-03) Hobson-Webb, Lisa D; Austin, Stephanie L; Jain, Sneha; Case, Laura E; Greene, Karla; Kishnani, Priya S
    BACKGROUND: Prior autopsy reports demonstrate glycogen deposition in Schwann cells of the peripheral nerves in patients with infantile and late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD), but little is known about associated clinical features. CASE REPORT: Here, we report the first confirmed cases of small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) in LOPD and present the results of a first attempt at screening for SFN in this patient population. After confirming small-fiber neuropathy in 2 LOPD patients, 44 consecutive Pompe patients (iOPD=7, LOPD n=37) presenting to the Duke University Glycogen Storage Disease Program between September 2013 and November 2014 were asked to complete the 21-item Small-Fiber Neuropathy Screening List (SFNSL), where a score of ≥11 is considered to be a positive screen. Fifty percent of patients had a positive SFN screen (mean score 11.6, 95% CI 9.0-14.2). A modest correlation between the SFNSL score and current age was seen (r=0.38, p=0.01), along with a correlation with duration of ERT (r=0.31, p=0.0495). Trends toward correlation with forced vital capacity and age at diagnosis were also present. Women had a higher mean SFNSL score (14.2) than men (8.2, p=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: SFN may occur in association with Pompe disease and precede the diagnosis. Further studies are needed to determine its true prevalence and impact.
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    The emerging phenotype of late-onset Pompe disease: A systematic literature review.
    (Molecular genetics and metabolism, 2017-03) Chan, Justin; Desai, Ankit K; Kazi, Zoheb B; Corey, Kaitlyn; Austin, Stephanie; Hobson-Webb, Lisa D; Case, Laura E; Jones, Harrison N; Kishnani, Priya S

    Background

    Pompe disease is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by deficiency of the lysosomal glycogen-hydrolyzing enzyme acid α-glucosidase (GAA). The adult-onset form, late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD), has been characterized by glycogen accumulation primarily in skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscles, causing weakness of the proximal limb girdle and respiratory muscles. However, increased scientific study of LOPD continues to enhance understanding of an evolving phenotype.

    Purpose

    To expand our understanding of the evolving phenotype of LOPD since the approval of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with alglucosidase alfa (Myozyme™/Lumizyme™) in 2006.

    Methods

    All articles were included in the review that provided data on the charactertistics of LOPD identified via the PubMed database published since the approval of ERT in 2006. All signs and symptoms of the disease that were reported in the literature were identified and included in the review.

    Results

    We provide a comprehensive review of the evolving phenotype of LOPD. Our findings support and extend the knowledge of the multisystemic nature of the disease.

    Conclusions

    With the advent of ERT and the concurrent increase in the scientific study of LOPD, the condition once primarily conceptualized as a limb-girdle muscle disease with prominent respiratory involvement is increasingly recognized to be a condition that results in signs and symptoms across body systems and structures.
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    The emerging phenotype of long-term survivors with infantile Pompe disease.
    (Genetics in medicine : official journal of the American College of Medical Genetics, 2012-09) Prater, Sean N; Banugaria, Suhrad G; DeArmey, Stephanie M; Botha, Eleanor G; Stege, Erin M; Case, Laura E; Jones, Harrison N; Phornphutkul, Chanika; Wang, Raymond Y; Young, Sarah P; Kishnani, Priya S

    Purpose

    Enzyme replacement therapy with alglucosidase alfa for infantile Pompe disease has improved survival creating new management challenges. We describe an emerging phenotype in a retrospective review of long-term survivors.

    Methods

    Inclusion criteria included ventilator-free status and age ≤6 months at treatment initiation, and survival to age ≥5 years. Clinical outcome measures included invasive ventilator-free survival and parameters for cardiac, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, gross motor, and ambulatory status; growth; speech, hearing, and swallowing; and gastrointestinal and nutritional status.

    Results

    Eleven of 17 patients met study criteria. All were cross-reactive immunologic material-positive, alive, and invasive ventilator-free at most recent assessment, with a median age of 8.0 years (range: 5.4-12.0 years). All had marked improvements in cardiac parameters. Commonly present were gross motor weakness, motor speech deficits, sensorineural and/or conductive hearing loss, osteopenia, gastroesophageal reflux, and dysphagia with aspiration risk. Seven of 11 patients were independently ambulatory and four required the use of assistive ambulatory devices. All long-term survivors had low or undetectable anti-alglucosidase alfa antibody titers.

    Conclusion

    Long-term survivors exhibited sustained improvements in cardiac parameters and gross motor function. Residual muscle weakness, hearing loss, risk for arrhythmias, hypernasal speech, dysphagia with risk for aspiration, and osteopenia were commonly observed findings.
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    Training, detraining, and retraining: Two 12-week respiratory muscle training regimens in a child with infantile-onset Pompe disease.
    (Journal of pediatric rehabilitation medicine, 2020-01) Crisp, Kelly D; Case, Laura E; Kravitz, Richard M; Kishnani, Priya S; Jones, Harrison N

    Background

    Respiratory muscle weakness is a primary cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with Pompe disease. We previously described the effects of our 12-week respiratory muscle training (RMT) regimen in 8 adults with late-onset Pompe disease [1] and 2 children with infantile-onset Pompe disease [2].

    Case report

    Here we describe repeat enrollment by one of the pediatric participants who completed a second 12-week RMT regimen after 7 months of detraining. We investigated the effects of two 12-week RMT regimens (RMT #1, RMT #2) using a single-participant A-B-A experimental design. Primary outcome measures were maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) and maximum expiratory pressure (MEP). Effect sizes for changes in MIP and MEP were determined using Cohen's d statistic. Exploratory outcomes targeted motor function.

    Relevance

    From pretest to posttest, RMT #2 was associated with a 25% increase in MIP and a 22% increase in MEP, corresponding with very large effect sizes (d= 2.92 and d= 2.65, respectively). Following two 12-week RMT regimens over 16 months, MIP increased by 69% and MEP increased by 97%, corresponding with very large effect sizes (d= 3.57 and d= 5.10, respectively). MIP and MEP were largely stable over 7 months of detraining between regimens. Magnitude of change was greater for RMT #1 relative to RMT #2.