Orphan or Rare Diseases

Busting barriers for rare disease-A successful model of breaking barriers with payors for patient access to novel NMOSD therapeutics

Fri, 2024-07-12 06:00

Mult Scler Relat Disord. 2024 Aug;88:105739. doi: 10.1016/j.msard.2024.105739. Epub 2024 Jun 22.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:38996711 | DOI:10.1016/j.msard.2024.105739

Categories: Literature Watch

Quantifying the insurance value for rare diseases: Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Fri, 2024-07-12 06:00

Am J Manag Care. 2024 Jul 1;30(7):e217-e222. doi: 10.37765/ajmc.2024.89584.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the magnitude of an ISPOR novel value element, insurance value, as applied to new treatments for a rare, severe disease with pediatric onset: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective survey of individuals planning to have children in the future.

METHODS: A survey was administered to US adults (aged ≥ 21 years) planning to have a child in the future to elicit willingness to pay (WTP) for insurance coverage for a new hypothetical DMD treatment that improved mortality and morbidity relative to the current standard of care. To identify an indifference point between status quo insurance and insurance with additional cost that would cover the treatment if respondents had a child with DMD, a multiple random staircase design was used. Insurance value-the value individuals receive from a reduction in future health risks-was calculated as the difference between respondent's WTP and what a risk-neutral individual would pay. The risk-neutral value was the product of the (1) probability of having a child with DMD (decision weighted), (2) quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained from the new treatment, and (3) WTP per QALY.

RESULTS: Among 207 respondents, 80.2% (n = 166) were aged 25 to 44 years, and 59.9% (n = 124) were women. WTP for insurance coverage of the hypothetical treatment was $973 annually, whereas the decision-weighted risk-neutral value was $452 per year. Thus, insurance value constituted 53.5% ($520) of value for new DMD treatments.

CONCLUSIONS: Individuals planning to have children in the future are willing to pay more for insurance coverage of novel DMD treatments than is assumed under risk-neutral, QALY-based frameworks.

PMID:38995826 | DOI:10.37765/ajmc.2024.89584

Categories: Literature Watch

De novo variants in the RNU4-2 snRNA cause a frequent neurodevelopmental syndrome

Thu, 2024-07-11 06:00

Nature. 2024 Jul 11. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07773-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Around 60% of individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) remain undiagnosed after comprehensive genetic testing, primarily of protein-coding genes1. Large genome-sequenced cohorts are improving our ability to discover new diagnoses in the non-coding genome. Here, we identify the non-coding RNA RNU4-2 as a syndromic NDD gene. RNU4-2 encodes the U4 small nuclear RNA (snRNA), which is a critical component of the U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP complex of the major spliceosome2. We identify an 18 bp region of RNU4-2 mapping to two structural elements in the U4/U6 snRNA duplex (the T-loop and Stem III) that is severely depleted of variation in the general population, but in which we identify heterozygous variants in 115 individuals with NDD. Most individuals (77.4%) have the same highly recurrent single base insertion (n.64_65insT). In 54 individuals where it could be determined, the de novo variants were all on the maternal allele. We demonstrate that RNU4-2 is highly expressed in the developing human brain, in contrast to RNU4-1 and other U4 homologs. Using RNA-sequencing, we show how 5' splice site usage is systematically disrupted in individuals with RNU4-2 variants, consistent with the known role of this region during spliceosome activation. Finally, we estimate that variants in this 18 bp region explain 0.4% of individuals with NDD. This work underscores the importance of non-coding genes in rare disorders and will provide a diagnosis to thousands of individuals with NDD worldwide.

PMID:38991538 | DOI:10.1038/s41586-024-07773-7

Categories: Literature Watch

A rare partnership: patient community and industry collaboration to shape the impact of real-world evidence on the rare disease ecosystem

Wed, 2024-07-10 06:00

Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2024 Jul 10;19(1):262. doi: 10.1186/s13023-024-03262-2.

ABSTRACT

People with rare lysosomal storage diseases face challenges in their care that arise from disease complexity and heterogeneity, compounded by many healthcare professionals being unfamiliar with these diseases. These challenges can result in long diagnostic journeys and inadequate care. Over 30 years ago, the Rare Disease Registries for Gaucher, Fabry, Mucopolysaccharidosis type I and Pompe diseases were established to address knowledge gaps in disease natural history, clinical manifestations of disease and treatment outcomes. Evidence generated from the real-world data collected in these registries supports multiple stakeholders, including patients, healthcare providers, drug developers, researchers and regulators. To maximise the impact of real-world evidence from these registries, engagement and collaboration with the patient communities is essential. To this end, the Rare Disease Registries Patient Council was established in 2019 as a partnership between the Rare Disease Registries and global and local patient advocacy groups to share perspectives on how registry data are used and disseminated. The Patient Council has resulted in a number of patient initiatives including patient representation at Rare Disease Registries advisory boards; development of plain language summaries of registry publications to increase availability of real-world evidence to patient communities; and implementation of digital innovations such as electronic patient-reported outcomes, and patient-facing registry reports and electronic consent (in development), all to enhance patient engagement. The Patient Council is building on the foundations of industry-patient advocacy group collaboration to fully integrate patient communities in decision-making and co-create solutions for the rare disease community.

PMID:38987844 | DOI:10.1186/s13023-024-03262-2

Categories: Literature Watch

Health Care Costs After Genome-Wide Sequencing for Children With Rare Diseases in England and Canada

Wed, 2024-07-10 06:00

JAMA Netw Open. 2024 Jul 1;7(7):e2420842. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.20842.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Etiologic diagnoses for rare diseases can involve a diagnostic odyssey, with repeated health care interactions and inconclusive diagnostics. Prior studies reported cost savings associated with genome-wide sequencing (GWS) compared with cytogenetic or molecular testing through rapid genetic diagnosis, but there is limited evidence on whether diagnosis from GWS is associated with reduced health care costs.

OBJECTIVE: To measure changes in health care costs after diagnosis from GWS for Canadian and English children with suspected rare diseases.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cohort study was a quasiexperimental retrospective analysis across 3 distinct English and Canadian cohorts, completed in 2023. Mixed-effects generalized linear regression was used to estimate associations between GWS and costs in the 2 years before and after GWS. Difference-in-differences regression was used to estimate associations of genetic diagnosis and costs. Costs are in 2019 US dollars. GWS was conducted in a research setting (Genomics England 100 000 Genomes Project [100KGP] and Clinical Assessment of the Utility of Sequencing and Evaluation as a Service [CAUSES] Research Clinic) or clinical outpatient setting (publicly reimbursed GWS in British Columbia [BC], Canada). Participants were children with developmental disorders, seizure disorders, or both undergoing GWS between 2014 and 2019. Data were analyzed from April 2021 to September 2023.

EXPOSURES: GWS and genetic diagnosis.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Annual health care costs and diagnostic costs per child.

RESULTS: Study cohorts included 7775 patients in 100KGP, among whom 788 children had epilepsy (mean [SD] age at GWS, 11.6 [11.1] years; 400 female [50.8%]) and 6987 children had an intellectual disability (mean [SD] age at GWS, 8.2 [8.4] years; 2750 female [39.4%]); 77 patients in CAUSES (mean [SD] age at GWS, 8.5 [4.4] years; 33 female [42.9%]); and 118 publicly reimbursed GWS recipients from BC (mean [SD] age at GWS, 5.5 [5.2] years; 58 female [49.2%]). GWS diagnostic yield was 143 children (18.1%) for those with epilepsy and 1323 children (18.9%) for those with an intellectual disability in 100KGP, 47 children (39.8%) in the BC publicly reimbursed setting, and 42 children (54.5%) in CAUSES. Mean annual per-patient spending over the study period was $5283 (95% CI, $5121-$5427) for epilepsy and $3373 (95% CI, $3322-$3424) for intellectual disability in the 100KGP, $724 (95% CI, $563-$886) in CAUSES, and $1573 (95% CI, $1372-$1773) in the BC reimbursed setting. Receiving a genetic diagnosis from GWS was not associated with changed costs in any cohort.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this study, receiving a genetic diagnosis was not associated with cost savings. This finding suggests that patient benefit and cost-effectiveness should instead drive GWS implementation.

PMID:38985473 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.20842

Categories: Literature Watch

Translating multiscale research in rare disease

Wed, 2024-07-10 06:00

Dis Model Mech. 2024 Jun 1;17(6):dmm052009. doi: 10.1242/dmm.052009. Epub 2024 Jul 10.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:38982973 | DOI:10.1242/dmm.052009

Categories: Literature Watch

Increasing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Rare Disease Clinical Trials

Mon, 2024-07-08 06:00

Pharmaceut Med. 2024 Jul;38(4):261-276. doi: 10.1007/s40290-024-00529-8. Epub 2024 Jul 9.

ABSTRACT

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) are foundational principles for clinical trials and medical research. In rare diseases clinical research, where numbers of participants are already challenged by rarity itself, maximizing inclusion is of particular importance to clinical trial success, as well as ensuring the generalizability and relevance of the trial results to the people affected by these diseases. In this article, we review the medical and gray literature and cite case examples to provide insights into how DEIA can be proactively integrated into rare diseases clinical research. Here, we particularly focus on genetic diversity. While the rare diseases DEIA literature is nascent, it is accelerating as many patient advocacy groups, professional societies, training and educational organizations, researcher groups, and funders are setting intentional strategies to attain DEIA goals moving forward, and to establish metrics to ensure continued improvement. Successful examples in underserved and underrepresented populations are available that can serve as case studies upon which rare diseases clinical research programs can be built. Rare diseases have historically been innovation drivers in basic, translational, and clinical research, and ultimately, all populations benefit from data diversity in rare diseases populations that deliver novel insights and approaches to how clinical research can be performed.

PMID:38977611 | DOI:10.1007/s40290-024-00529-8

Categories: Literature Watch

Four Decades of Orphan Drugs and Priorities for the Future

Mon, 2024-07-08 06:00

N Engl J Med. 2024 Jul 11;391(2):100-102. doi: 10.1056/NEJMp2401487. Epub 2024 Jul 6.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:38973724 | DOI:10.1056/NEJMp2401487

Categories: Literature Watch

High Prevalence of Movement Disorder in Treated CLN2-Batten Disease: Rare Disease Therapy Development Must Not Stop With Approved Treatment

Mon, 2024-07-08 06:00

Neurology. 2024 Aug 13;103(3):e209729. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000209729. Epub 2024 Jul 8.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:38976806 | DOI:10.1212/WNL.0000000000209729

Categories: Literature Watch

HBS1L deficiency causes retinal dystrophy in a child and a mouse model associated with defective development of photoreceptor cells

Fri, 2024-07-05 06:00

Dis Model Mech. 2024 Jul 5:dmm.050557. doi: 10.1242/dmm.050557. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Inherited retinal diseases encompass a genetically diverse group of conditions caused by mutations in genes critical to retinal function, including handful of ribosome-associated genes. This study focuses on HBS1L gene which encodes for HBS1-like translational GTPase crucial for ribosomal rescue. We have reported a female child carrying biallelic HBS1L variants, manifesting with poor growth and neurodevelopmental delay. Here we describe the ophthalmologic findings in the patient and Hbs1ltm1a/tm1a hypomorph mice and describe the associated microscopic and molecular perturbations. The patient has impaired visual function, showing dampened amplitudes of a- and b-waves in both rod- and cone-mediated responses. Hbs1ltm1a/tm1a mice exhibited profound thinning of the entire retina, specifically of the outer photoreceptor layer, due to extensive photoreceptor cell apoptosis. Loss of HBS1L resulted in comprehensive proteomic alterations on mass spectrometry analysis, with 169 proteins increased and 480 decreased including rhodopsin and peripherin 2. GO biological process and GSEA analyses reveal that the downregulated proteins are primarily involved in phototransduction, cilium assembly, and photoreceptor cell development. These findings underscore the importance of ribosomal rescue proteins in maintaining retinal health, particularly in photoreceptor cells.

PMID:38966981 | DOI:10.1242/dmm.050557

Categories: Literature Watch

Mining the diagnosis of rare disease with limited resources

Thu, 2024-07-04 06:00

Nat Genet. 2024 Jul;56(7):1323. doi: 10.1038/s41588-024-01818-3.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:38965416 | DOI:10.1038/s41588-024-01818-3

Categories: Literature Watch

Connect-ROD - development and qualitative evaluation of a community-based group intervention to support well-being in patients with a rare or orphan disease

Thu, 2024-07-04 06:00

Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2024 Jul 5;19(1):254. doi: 10.1186/s13023-024-03252-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patients living with various rare or orphan diseases (ROD) experience common psychosocial difficulties. Those need emerge from a combination of factors, such as the large variety of patients and the rarity of resources, as well as concentrated efforts on physical health needs that yielded increases in life expectancy and quality in patients. A gap is therefore rising in the consideration of psychosocial needs of patients, such as coping with the impacts of physical limitations, reducing social isolation and distress. To contribute to address this gap, we developed, pilot-tested and evaluated the acceptability, feasibility, implementation, and short-term effects of Connect-ROD, an online group intervention to support adult patients with a ROD (AP-ROD), which aims to improve coping mechanisms, reinforce sense of control, and support personal goals of AP-ROD. A qualitative study comprising of in-depth pretests, post-test interviews and standardized questionnaires, was conducted with 14 participants in two consecutive intervention groups.

RESULTS: The Connect-ROD intervention is strongly anchored in acceptance and commitment therapy as well as community psychology approaches. A pilot test allowed us to improve on the initial structure and to produce a manualized 10-week program delivered online, made up of 2-h sessions comprising formal activities, exchanges and homework. The evaluation showed satisfactory acceptability and accessibility, compliant delivery by facilitators, and promising short-term effects on personal objectives, sense of control, coping mechanisms, symptom management, acceptance of the emotions associated with the disease, distress, self-efficacy, social support and connectedness. The program did not show short-term effects on overall quality of life.

CONCLUSION: It is recommended that Connect-ROD is evaluated on a larger scale. It seems promising to support various AP-ROD who live with the complex psychosocial consequences of their disease.

PMID:38965557 | DOI:10.1186/s13023-024-03252-4

Categories: Literature Watch

Infertility and pregnancy outcomes among adults with primary ciliary dyskinesia

Thu, 2024-07-04 06:00

Hum Reprod Open. 2024 Jun 18;2024(3):hoae039. doi: 10.1093/hropen/hoae039. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

STUDY QUESTION: What is the prevalence of infertility and ectopic pregnancies among individuals with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD)?

SUMMARY ANSWER: We found that 39 of 50 men (78%) and 72 of 118 women (61%) with PCD were infertile and that women with PCD had an increased risk of ectopic pregnancies (7.6 per 100 pregnancies, 95% CI 4.7-12.2).

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: PCD is a heterogeneous multiorgan disease caused by mutations in genes required for the function and structure of motile cilia. Previous studies identified a link between PCD and infertility, but original data on prevalence of infertility and risk of ectopic pregnancies, the use and efficacy of medically assisted reproduction (MAR), and the association of fertility with PCD genotype are extremely limited.

STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION: We performed a cross-sectional survey about fertility within the Living with PCD study (formerly COVID-PCD). Living with PCD is an international, online, participatory study that collects information directly from people with PCD. People with PCD of any age from anywhere in the world can participate in the study. At the time of the survey, 482 adults with PCD were registered within the Living with PCD study.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS: We sent a questionnaire on fertility on 12 July 2022, to all participants older than 18 years enrolled in the Living with PCD study. Responses were collected until 8 March 2023. The fertility questionnaire covered topics related to pregnancy attempts, use of MAR, and pregnancy outcomes. Data were collected via the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) platform. We defined infertility as failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or use of MAR for at least one pregnancy.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: In total, 265 of 482 adult participants (55%) completed the fertility questionnaire. Among 168 adults who had tried to conceive, 39 of 50 men (78%) and 72 of 118 women (61%) were infertile. Of the infertile men, 28 had tried MAR, and 17 of them (61%) fathered a child with the help of MAR. Among infertile women, 59 had used MAR, and 41 of them (69%) became pregnant with the help of MAR. In our population, women with PCD showed a relatively high risk of ectopic pregnancies: 1 in 10 women who became pregnant had at least one ectopic pregnancy and 7.6% of pregnancies were ectopic (95% CI 4.7-12.2). We evaluated the association between fertility and affected PCD genes in 46 individuals (11 men, 35 women) with available genetic and fertility information, and found differences between genotypes, e.g. all five women with a mutation in CCDC40 were infertile and all five with DNAH11 were fertile.

LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION: The study has limitations, including potential selection bias as people experiencing problems with fertility might be more likely to fill in the questionnaire, which may have influenced our prevalence estimates. We were unable to validate clinical data obtained from participant self-reports owing to the anonymous study design, which is likely to lead to recall bias.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The study underlines the need for addressing infertility in routine PCD care, with a focus on informing individuals with PCD about their increased risk. It emphasizes the utility and efficacy of MAR in PCD-related infertility. Additionally, women attempting conception should be made aware of the increased risk of ectopic pregnancies and seek systematic early consultation to confirm an intrauterine pregnancy. Fertility, efficacy of MAR, and risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes differ between people with PCD-depending on genotypes-and close monitoring and support might be needed from fertility specialists to increase chances of successful conception.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: Our research was funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, Switzerland (SNSF 320030B_192804), the Swiss Lung Association, Switzerland (2021-08_Pedersen), and we also received support from the PCD Foundation, USA; the Verein Kartagener Syndrom und Primäre Ciliäre Dyskinesie, Germany; the PCD Support UK, UK; and PCD Australia, Australia. M. Goutaki received funding from the Swiss National Science Foundation, Switzerland (PZ00P3_185923). B. Maitre participates in the RaDiCo-DCP funded by INSERM France. The study authors participate in the BEAT-PCD Clinical Research Collaboration supported by the European Respiratory Society. All authors declare no conflict of interest.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT04602481.

PMID:38962571 | PMC:PMC11219480 | DOI:10.1093/hropen/hoae039

Categories: Literature Watch

Streamlined collaboration can boost CRISPR gene therapies for rare diseases

Tue, 2024-07-02 06:00

Nature. 2024 Jul;631(8019):28. doi: 10.1038/d41586-024-02132-y.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:38956334 | DOI:10.1038/d41586-024-02132-y

Categories: Literature Watch

Impact of mental health in persons living with rare disease: Findings from the AMCP Market Insights Program

Tue, 2024-07-02 06:00

J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2024 Jul;30(7-b Suppl):S1-S11. doi: 10.18553/jmcp.2024.30.7-b.s1.

ABSTRACT

Within the framework of its Market Insights Program, AMCP convened a panel of experts representing diverse stakeholders to identify alterations to plan design and/or coverage options geared toward improving the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions among persons living with rare diseases (PLWRD). PLWRD face unique mental health challenges because of the misunderstood nature of their conditions, potential misdiagnosis, and limited treatment options. Economic burdens arise from increased medical needs, reliance on caregivers, and work disruptions. The interplay of these factors, along with health insurance coverage, creates a distinctive mental health landscape for PLWRD and a need to prioritize mental health support for this patient population. This article aims to (1) summarize expert perspectives on health care system challenges and areas of agreement concerning the management of mental health conditions and (2) advance payers' understanding of their role in supporting mental health care for patients with rare diseases. Addressing mental health needs of PLWRD presents multifaceted challenges. Managed care organizations play a pivotal role in supporting mental health care for PLWRD through their quality improvement initiatives and policies for coverage and reimbursement, which can impact both the rare disease treatment and mental health services PLWRD receive.

PMID:38953469 | DOI:10.18553/jmcp.2024.30.7-b.s1

Categories: Literature Watch

Why are rare diseases underdiagnosed? A clinical management study on detection of primary biliary cholangitis in primary care

Mon, 2024-07-01 06:00

Ann Ig. 2024 Sep-Oct;36(5):614-618. doi: 10.7416/ai.2024.2629.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There are about 7,000 rare diseases that affect 10% of the world population. Primary biliary cholangitis, an autoimmune chronic liver disease of the interlobular bile ducts, is one of the most common causes of chronic cholestasis. However, it is a rare, often underdiagnosed and undertreated, disease which can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. We aimed to assess the proportion of undetected primary biliary cholangitis patients in primary care through a clinical management process.

METHODS: We made two extractions of the clinical data concerning liver diseases, risk factors and laboratory tests from the databases of a sample of general practitioners, with a check and correction of mistakes. The clinical data of the patients without liver disease and major risk factors, and with serum Alkaline Phosphatase above the laboratory reference values, were re-evaluated by each general practitioner with an expert gastroenterologist. The patients with elevated Alkaline Phosphatase values and without evidence of intrahepatic or extrahepatic causes of cholestasis were considered suspected for primary biliary cholangitis and assessed for antimitochondrial antibodies test and specialist' s evaluation, according to present guidelines.

RESULTS: A total of 20,480 adults attending 14 general practitioners in the province of Brescia, Northern Italy, were included in the study. Nine patients had a prior primary biliary cholangitis diagnosis, with a prevalence of 43.9/100000. After excluding 2094 (10.2%) patient with liver diseases or other causes of cholestasis, 121 subjects with Alkaline Phosphatase above the reference values were re-evaluated by the general practitioners and gastroenterologist, and 27 patients without symptoms or signs of cholestasis were considered suspected for primary biliary cholangitis: 9 of them were tested for antimitochondrial antibodies, and three new primary biliary cholangitis cases were detected (+33%).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that there is a not negligible burden of undetected cases of adult rare diseases that can be diagnosed in primary care, through a disease management procedure, without modifying the routine clinical practice.

PMID:38946477 | DOI:10.7416/ai.2024.2629

Categories: Literature Watch

Online, home-based dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa registry

Sat, 2024-06-29 06:00

Pediatr Dermatol. 2024 Jun 28. doi: 10.1111/pde.15682. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Genetic testing is the gold standard for diagnosing different epidermolysis bullosa (EB) subtypes; however, testing rates are low. We conducted a pilot study to test feasibility of a novel, home-based registry that involved patients with EB submitting self-reported clinical symptoms using secure, online surveys (REDCap) and submitting buccal swabs for exome sequencing of EB-related genes (GeneDx). In total, 50 EB participants were enrolled, with an average age of 17 years and an average distance of 198 miles from EB specialty centers. All buccal swabs (N = 24) provided sufficient DNA for sequencing without causing mucosal trauma and 80% of participants were found to have pathogenic variants in COL7A1, the gene mutated in DEB. Participants with recessive dystrophic EB (RDEB) reported a higher prevalence of esophageal dilations (65.7% vs. 0%, p = .009) and mitten deformities of the feet (57.1% vs. 0%, p = .047) compared to non-RDEB participants.

PMID:38943317 | DOI:10.1111/pde.15682

Categories: Literature Watch

Drug repurposing for rare diseases

Fri, 2024-06-28 06:00

Prog Mol Biol Transl Sci. 2024;207:231-247. doi: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2024.03.034. Epub 2024 May 17.

ABSTRACT

Repurposing drugs for rare diseases is a creative and cost-efficient method for creating new treatment options for certain conditions. This technique entails repurposing existing pharmaceuticals for new uses by utilizing established information regarding pharmacological characteristics, modes of operation, safety profiles, and interactions with biological systems. Creating new treatments for uncommon diseases is frequently difficult because of factors including small patient groups, disease intricacy, and insufficient knowledge of disease pathobiology. Drug repurposing is a more efficient and cost-effective approach compared to developing new drugs from scratch. It typically requires collaboration among academia, pharmaceutical firms, and patient advocacy groups.

PMID:38942540 | DOI:10.1016/bs.pmbts.2024.03.034

Categories: Literature Watch

Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia in Canada: An Observational Study

Fri, 2024-06-28 06:00

JACC Adv. 2023 Apr 26;2(3):100309. doi: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2023.100309. eCollection 2023 May.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is a rare genetic disease characterized by very high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Untreated patients present with extensive xanthomas and premature atherosclerosis. Lipid-lowering therapy is highly efficacious and has dramatically increased life expectancy of patients with HoFH.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to obtain a comprehensive registry of HoFH in Canada, known to have several founder effect regions, and describe the clinical characteristics and cardiovascular outcomes of this population over time.

METHODS: Clinical and genetic data on patients with HoFH were collected via a standardized questionnaire sent to academic sites participating in the Familial Hypercholesterolemia Canada network.

RESULTS: A total of 48 patients with HoFH were enrolled. The median age at diagnosis was 12 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 5-24) and untreated LDL-C levels were 15.0 mmol/L (IQR: 10.5-18.6 mmol/L; 580 mg/dL IQR: 404-717 mg/dL). At last follow-up visit, median age was 40 years (IQR: 26-54 years). Treated LDL-C levels were 6.75 mmol/L (IQR: 4.73-9.51 mmol/L; 261 mg/dL IQR: 183-368 mg/dL) with 95.5% of patients on statins, 88.6% on ezetimibe, 34.1% on proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors, 27.3% on lomitapide, 13.6% on evinacumab, and 56.8% were treated with low-density lipoprotein apheresis or plasmapheresis. Deaths were reported in 7 (14.5%) and major adverse cardiovascular events were observed in 14.6% of patients with the average onset at 30 years (IQR: 20-36 years). Aortic stenosis was reported in one-half the patients (47.9%) and 10 (20.8%) underwent aortic valve replacement.

CONCLUSIONS: This HoFH patient registry in Canada will provide important new health-related knowledge about the phenotypic manifestations and determinants of cardiovascular risk in this population, allowing for closer examination of quality of life and burden to the health care system.

PMID:38939573 | PMC:PMC11198203 | DOI:10.1016/j.jacadv.2023.100309

Categories: Literature Watch

Pages