Safety and efficacy of idursulfase in the treatment of mucopolysaccharidosis II (Hunter syndrome): a post-marketing study in Japan

Real world long-term outcomes in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II: A retrospective cohort study

We investigated the decline of activities of daily living with symptomatic progression in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II) and investigated the associated factors. Clinical data were retrospectively collected from the medical records of 28 patients with MPS II who visited our hospital between October 2007 and August 2019. Activities of daily living were assessed over time using a 5-point scale (from stage 1, indicating independent, to stage 5, indicating total assistance + medical care); the relationships of the interval years from stage 2 (mild symptoms) to stage 4 (total assistance) with therapeutic intervention, anti-drug antibodies (ADA), urinary glycosaminoglycans (uGAG), and genotypes were analyzed. Eight are attenuated types, and 20 are severe types. Further, 20 underwent enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) alone, 5 underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) alone, and 3 underwent both therapy. The mean interval years (standard deviation) from stage 2 to 4 was 3.5 (0.7) and 7.3 (3.3) in patients who started undergoing ERT (n = 6) and HSCT (n = 3) at stage 2, respectively, whereas it was 3.1 (1.5) in patients who received no treatment until they reached stage 4 (n = 8). The study findings revealed the process of changes in the activities of daily living over a long duration in patients with MPS II undergoing different treatments. In severe type, the activity deteriorated regardless of the stage at which ERT was initiated. The activity declined slower in patients who received HSCT at an early stage.

Therapeutic Options for Mucopolysaccharidosis II (Hunter Disease)

BACKGROUND

Mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter syndrome, or MPS II) is an X-linked lysosomal disorder caused by the deficiency of iduronate-2-sulfatase, which leads to the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in a variety of tissues, resulting in a multisystemic disease that can also impair the central nervous system (CNS).

OBJECTIVE

This review focuses on providing the latest information and expert opinion about the therapies available and under development for MPS II.

METHODS

We have comprehensively revised the latest studies about hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), enzyme replacement therapy (ERT - intravenous, intrathecal, intracerebroventricular, and intravenous with fusion proteins), small molecules, gene therapy/genome editing, and supportive management.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Intravenous ERT is a well-established specific therapy, which ameliorates the somatic features but not the CNS manifestations. Intrathecal or intracerebroventricular ERT and intravenous ERT with fusion proteins, presently under development, seem to be able to reduce the levels of GAGs in the CNS and have the potential of reducing the impact of the neurological burden of the disease. Gene therapy and/or genome editing have shown promising results in preclinical studies, bringing hope for a "one-time therapy" soon. Results with HSCT in MPS II are controversial, and small molecules could potentially address some disease manifestations. In addition to the specific therapeutic options, supportive care plays a major role in the management of these patients.

CONCLUSION

At this time, the treatment of individuals with MPS II is mainly based on intravenous ERT, whereas HSCT can be a potential alternative in specific cases. In the coming years, several new therapy options that target the neurological phenotype of MPS II should be available.