ABSTRACT

Hong Kong Med J 2011;17:317-24 | Number 4, August 2011
MEDICAL PRACTICE
Enzyme replacement therapy for mucopolysaccharidosis VI (Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome): experience in Hong Kong
WM But, MY Wong, Jasmine CK Chow, Winnie KY Chan, WT Ko, SP Wu, ML Wong, TY Miu, WY Tse, Winnie WY Hung, TW Fan, CC Shek
Department of Paediatrics, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30 Gascoigne Road, Hong Kong
 
 
Mucopolysaccharidosis VI (Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome) is a very rare inherited lysosomal storage disease. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of weekly infusions of recombinant human arylsulfatase B as enzyme replacement therapy for two patients in whom this condition was advanced. The primary outcome variables were the distance walked in a 6-minute walk test, forced vital capacity, and ejection fraction. The secondary outcome variables were the number of stairs climbed in a 3-minute stair climbing test, joint mobility, urinary glycosaminoglycan excretion, auto-continuous positive airway pressure study and liver size. After 24 weeks of treatment, patient A walked 40 m (36%) and patient B walked 66 m (58%) more in the walk test than at baseline. After 48 weeks, in patient A the corresponding improvements were 142 m (129%) in the walk test and 33 stairs (60%) in the 3-minute stair climbing test, and in patient B the respective improvements were 198 m (174%) and 77 stairs (140%). There was a significant decline in urinary glycosaminoglycan excretion and improvement in range of motion of joints in both patients. The auto-continuous positive airway pressure study revealed improvements in patient A, while other efficacy variables remained static. There were no drug-related adverse events or allergic reactions reported during and after the infusions of recombinant human arylsulfatase B. Recombinant human arylsulfatase B significantly improves endurance and reduces urinary glycosaminoglycan excretion. The drug is generally safe and well tolerated.
 
Key words: Enzyme replacement therapy; Mucopolysaccharidosis VI; N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase; Recombinant proteins; Walking
 
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