Safety and efficacy of recombinant acid alpha-glucosidase (rhGAA) in patients with classical infantile Pompe disease: results of a phase II clinical trial

Neuromuscul Disord. 2005 Jan;15(1):24-31. doi: 10.1016/j.nmd.2004.10.009. Epub 2004 Nov 26.

Abstract

Pompe disease is an autosomal recessive muscle-wasting disorder caused by the deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase. Due to virtual absence of acid alpha-glucosidase, patients with classical infantile Pompe disease develop progressive cardiomyopathy, skeletal muscle weakness and respiratory insufficiency leading to death in early infancy. We report on the results of a phase II clinical trial including two patients with classical infantile Pompe disease receiving enzyme replacement therapy over a period of 48 weeks by weekly infusions. Recombinant acid alpha-glucosidase was derived from the milk of transgenic rabbits. Safety was evaluated by recording adverse events while clinical efficacy was evaluated by ventilator-free survival, left ventricular mass index, motor development as well as histologic and biochemical analysis of muscle biopsies. This therapy was in general well-tolerated. There was an overall improvement in left ventricular mass, cardiac function, skeletal muscle function and histological appearance of skeletal muscle.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Clinical Trial, Phase II
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Evaluation
  • Electrocardiography / methods
  • Female
  • Glycogen / metabolism
  • Glycogen Storage Disease Type II / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Motor Activity / drug effects
  • Muscles / metabolism
  • Muscles / pathology
  • Myocardium / metabolism
  • Myocardium / pathology
  • Recombinant Proteins / adverse effects
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • alpha-Glucosidases / adverse effects
  • alpha-Glucosidases / metabolism
  • alpha-Glucosidases / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Glycogen
  • alpha-Glucosidases