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…

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,…

Muscle Function Improves With Resistance Exercise Program: Study

A program of supervised resistance exercise can improve muscle function — including in muscles needed to breathe — for adults with late onset Pompe disease (LOPD), a small study suggests. “Our findings encourage use of supervised exercise and inspiratory muscle training for improving physical function and health to improve…

Long-term ERT Use Can Help Older Adults With LOPD, Study Finds

Long-term treatment with Myozyme (alglucosidase alfa) — marketed in the U.S. as Lumizyme — results in variable but satisfactory motor and respiratory outcomes among older adults recently diagnosed with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD), a study from Germany reported. According to its researchers, these findings were…