Lindsey Shapiro, PhD, science writer —

Astellas Gene Therapies has obtained the rights to develop medication that could help reduce preexisting immune responses against the viral carrier used in ATA845, its investigational gene therapy for adults with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD). Called IdeXork, or Xork, the investigational medication was developed by Selecta Biosciences,…

In 2022, Pompe Disease News brought you weekly coverage of the latest scientific research, clinical trial updates, and treatment advances related to Pompe disease. We look forward to continuing to be a resource for our valued readers in 2023. Here is a list of the 10 most-read Pompe news…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation to MZE001, Maze Therapeutics‘ investigational oral treatment for Pompe disease. “Pompe disease is a serious and often fatal disorder, and MZE001 has the potential to offer patients an oral, disease-modifying option that improves clinical outcomes and…

A woman was diagnosed with advanced late-onset Pompe disease after three decades of being misdiagnosed, according to a recent case report. After diagnosis, the woman began treatment with Myozyme (alglucosidase alfa), which led to marked improvements that enabled her to live independently. The findings underscore a need for…

Certain protein modifications may enhance the ability of a therapeutically-delivered acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA) enzyme to be secreted and taken up by neighboring cells in models of Pompe disease, a study suggested. Such approaches could offer ways to improve the effectiveness of gene therapies for Pompe, although more work is…

A small study in the U.K. is evaluating a noninvasive MRI-based tool that could potentially detect late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) without the need for invasive muscle biopsies. This specialized muscle MRI also would monitor glycogen buildup — a hallmark of the condition — in muscles over time. The…

Administrating a stem cell gene therapy before beginning enzyme-replacement therapy (ERT) prevented the development of antibodies against the acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA) enzyme, improved survival, and enhanced therapeutic benefits in a mouse model of Pompe disease, a recent study found. “Together, this study indicates that [stem cell] gene therapy induces…

Lower urinary tract symptoms, including a loss of bladder control and unusual urine flow, are prevalent among children with classic infantile-onset Pompe disease (IOPD) who begin treatment early with enzyme-replacement therapy (ERT), according to a small study. Findings suggest that “pediatricians should actively seek to recognize children with IOPD…

The six-minute walk distance (6MWD) test is a reliable measure of declines in motor abilities in people with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD), a two-year study that evaluated a series of such tests reported. Other common measures of motor function and muscle strength failed to reliably detect such changes in…

Macroglossia, or an abnormally enlarged tongue, caused difficulty swallowing, speech abnormalities, and reduced breathing during sleep for five people with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD), according to a recent French study. Treatment with enzyme-replacement therapy (ERT), a standard of care for Pompe patients, did not alleviate the debilitating symptoms,…