Andrea Lobo, PhD,  science writer—

Andrea Lobo holds a PhD in cell biology/neurosciences from the University of Coimbra-Portugal, where she studied stroke biology. As a research scientist for 19 years, Andrea participated in academic projects in multiple research fields, from stroke, gene regulation, cancer, and rare diseases. She has authored multiple research papers in peer-reviewed journals.

Articles by Andrea Lobo

Protocol enables ERT after Pompe disease treatment reaction

A desensitization protocol allowed doctors to successfully treat an infant with classic infantile-onset Pompe disease (IOPD) who developed an allergic reaction to Myozyme (alglucosidase alfa), according to a report. The protocol, which was also used when the patient switched to Nexviadyme (avalglucosidase alfa), involved delivering the Pompe…

Case study describes woman’s late-onset Pompe diagnosis

A woman in Canada with atypical and slowly progressive onset of muscle weakness affecting her eyelids, face, and throat muscles had shown symptoms for decades before being diagnosed with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD), according to a study describing her case. Doctors considered several neuromuscular diseases before arriving at the…

Study IDs amino acid supplement as potential LOPD therapy

Several cellular processes, particularly those related to lysosome function and autophagy, are altered in the muscles of people with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD), and supplementation with an amino acid as a regulator could be a “promising therapeutic approach,” according to a study. Levels of L-arginine, an amino acid that…

Symptom-based tool may help ID missed LOPD diagnoses

Combining a symptom-based scoring tool with healthcare provider education may help identify patients who have an increased risk of having a missed diagnosis of late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD), a study in the U.S. shows. A LOPD diagnosis should be considered in patients with progressive muscle weakness and at least…

Phase 1b trial of ABX1100 with late-onset Pompe disease OK’d

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared Aro Biotherapeutics to conduct a Phase 1 clinical trial to test ABX1100, its experimental substrate reduction therapy, in people with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD). The clearance of Aro’s investigational new drug (IND) application comes as the company is…

Late-onset Pompe patients should be watched for symptoms: Study

Young patients with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) who do not yet show disease symptoms should be regularly monitored for timely identification of symptoms so that treatment can be started early, a study suggested. Current diagnostic procedures enable early diagnosis of LOPD even in pre-symptomatic stages, said the researchers, who…

Top 10 Pompe disease news stories of 2024

Last year, the team at Pompe Disease News brought our readers news on the most recent scientific advances, treatment progresses, and clinical trials for Pompe disease. Here are the 10 most read stories we published on Pompe disease during 2024. No. 10 – Switch from Lumizyme to Nexviazyme…

FORCE platform delivers ERT directly to muscles, nervous system

Dyne Therapeutics has unveiled promising preclinical data for its enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) FORCE-GAA — part of the company’s propriety FORCE platform — designed to treat Pompe disease. The novel therapy has demonstrated the potential to deliver the treatment directly to skeletal and heart muscles, as well…

Pompe children rate life quality better than parents: Study

Health-related quality of life for children with Pompe disease in the Netherlands is generally similar to healthy peers when self-reported, but worse when rated by their parents, a study found. Results also showed that children with classic infantile Pompe had greater fatigue and more limitations than those with non-classic…