News

Dysfunction of the phrenic nerve, which is important for controlling breathing, was observed in a small study of late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) patients who had ongoing respiratory dysfunction despite enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). “Our study provide new insights regarding respiratory mechanisms in LOPD,” the researchers wrote. Should their…

While the activity of the acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA) enzyme and glycogen buildup are hallmarks of Pompe disease, the lack of standardized assessments to quantify both parameters hampers evaluations of disease severity and treatment efficacy, according to a review study. All current methods, however, do confirm…

For most adults with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD), a fairly significant improvement in walking ability is needed to be noticeable, but for patients who are already experiencing difficulty walking, a slowing of decline can be meaningful, a new study reports. “Patients with severe baseline conditions should not be expected…

Switching to Nexviadyme (avalglucosidase alfa) from Myozyme (alglucosidase alfa) can help to halt the worsening of motor function in adults with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD), according to a recent study in France. However, no significant differences in lung function were reported after patients switched these enzyme…

Most people with classic infantile-onset Pompe disease (IOPD) develop brain abnormalities despite treatment with Myozyme (alglucosidase alfa), and these abnormalities are associated with poorer results on cognitive tests. That’s according to a study, “Long term survival in patients with classic infantile Pompe disease reveals a…

Early treatment with at least two cycles of bortezomib may help lower the levels of antibodies that can make enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) less effective, according to a report of two young children with infantile-onset Pompe disease. The cases add to earlier reports that bortezomib, an injectable medication…

A powerful imaging technique called high-resolution intravital microscopy, or IVM, may be a useful tool for visualizing and quantifying the effectiveness of investigational treatments in mouse models of Pompe disease, according to recent research. The approach allows for cellular changes in muscles to be visualized in live animals. Using…

Sanofi’s Nexviazyme (avalglucosidase alfa), an enzyme replacement therapy approved for Pompe disease, doesn’t appear to be linked to new or worsening diabetes, a concern raised by the presence of dextrose, a simple sugar, in the solution for infusion. In a study funded by Sanofi, researchers also…

A gene therapy designed to travel into muscles resulted in widespread production of the enzyme that’s missing or faulty in Pompe disease, according to a study that also describes a new rat model of the infantile-onset form of the disease. Researchers also observed that rats given a single…

Using self-reported outcomes by adults with Pompe disease, researchers were able to estimate the minimal clinically important difference or MCID — the smallest outcome change that a patient perceives as important following treatment — after one year of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT). The differences reported by patients as clinically…