News

Stem Cell Gene Therapy Blocks Anti-GAA Immune Response in Mice

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…

Urinary Tract Problems May Be Common With IOPD, Despite ERT

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…

Organizations Rally to Help Ukrainian Rare Disease Patients

A Russian military plane crash near Tetiana Zamorska’s home in Kyiv, Ukraine, was a sign that it was time for her and her family to leave. The treacherous, 34-hour pilgrimage that ultimately brought the group of eight by car to temporary accommodations in neighboring Poland last month was physically and emotionally difficult,…

Europe Awaits Proposed New Framework for Sharing Health Data

The European Commission is expected to propose a new governing framework for health data next month, called the European Health Data Space (EHDS), with the aim of connecting national health systems to facilitate secure and efficient transfer of data across systems in different European nations. The move is expected to…

Enlarged Tongue Leads to Severe Symptoms in Elderly LOPD Patients

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,…