anti-GAA antibodies

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…

Antibodies to ERT Use Common in Children, Not Likely to Limit Efficacy

Most children with Pompe disease in a small study developed antibodies against the enzyme replacement therapy Myozyme (alglucosidase alfa) — marketed in the U.S. as Lumizyme — but their presence did not limit treatment efficacy, its researchers reported. Children with the highest levels of antibodies also experienced most of…

Immunomodulatory Regimen Provides Long-term Tolerance to ERT in Children With Pompe, Study Shows

Adding a preventive short-course immunomodulatory regimen — rituximab, methotrexate, and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) — to enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) safely provides long-term protection from antibodies that can block ERT’s effectiveness in children with classic infantile Pompe disease, a study found. These findings highlight that the benefits…