• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2015

Recent research trends of human growth hormone (hGH) are divided into improved first-generation products, long-acting second-generation products, and biosimilar products. Among the improved first-generation products studies, studies of injection devices are being actively conducted. The long-acting second-generation products are focused on extending the half-life of hGH, and depending on the results of the clinical trials, the candidates are expected to lead the future hGH market. Finally, biosimilar has had less impact on the hGH market before now; however, expectations of low-cost products still remainas an opportunity.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.15-18
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• 2015

Biopharmaceuticals, with their ability to treat many unmet needs, are seen as promising medications in diabetes mellitus, growth hormone deficiency, chronic renal failure, cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis. However, almost all biopharmaceuticals should be administrated by injection; IV, IM, and SC. In addition, these treatments are long term, and patients should receive frequent injections for many years. Patient compliance is therefore of critical importance to ensure treatment benefits. Therefore, the goal of drug product development should be focused on improving patient compliance by reducing injection-associated pain as well as stable formulation development. This review will suggest the kinds of factors that should be considered to minimize injection pain with regard to formulation, device, and injection procedures focused on SC injections.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2016

Mucolipidosis type II (MLII; MIM#252500) and type III alpha/beta (MLIIIA; MIM#252600) very rare lysosomal storage disease cause by reduced enzyme activity of GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase. ML II is caused by a total or near total loss of GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase activity whether enzymatic activity in patient with ML IIIA is reduced. While ML II and ML III share similar clinical features, including skeletal abnormalities, ML II is the more severe in terms of phenotype. ML III is a much milder disorder, being characterized by latter onset of clinical symptoms and slower progressive course. GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase is encoded by two genes, GNPTAB and GNPTG, mutations in GNPTAB give rise to ML II or ML IIIA. To date, more than 100 different GNPTAB mutations have been reported, causing either ML II or ML IIIA. Despite development of new diagnostic approach and understanding of disease mechanism, there is no specific treatment available for patients with ML II and ML IIIA yet, only supportive and symptomatic treatment is indicated.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.28-30
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• 2015

Biologics present a challenge to both the manufacturer and end user. They must usually be formulated as parenterals. However, they are often unstable in liquid form, due to their complex structure and composition. In that case, they must be manufactured using highly specialized processes, such as lyophilization (freeze-drying). Lyophilization nearly eliminates stability issues. Reducing a compound's sensitivity to temperature prolongs its shelf life. However, reconstitution can be cumbersome, involving multiple steps that increase the potential for error. Dual-chamber technology provides an effective alternative, combining a lyophilized drug and diluent in a closed system and enabling reconstitution in a few simple steps.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.46-49
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• 2016

Achondroplasia is autosomal dominant genetic disease and fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) is currently known to be the only gene that causes achondroplasia. Gain-of function mutation in fibroblast-growth-factor-receptor 3 (FGFR3) causes the disease and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) antagonizes FGFR3 downstream signaling by inhibiting the pathway of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). As FGFR3-related skeletal dysplasias are caused by growth attenuation of the cartilage, chondrocytes appear to be unique in their response to FGFR3 activation. However, the full spectrum of molecular events by which FGFR3 mediates its signaling is just beginning to emerge. This article summaries the mechanisms of FGFR3 function in skeletal dysplasias, the extraordinary cellular manifestations of FGFR3 signaling in chondrocytes, and finally, the progress toward therapy for ACH.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.38-40
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• 2016

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder often caused by a deletion of the chromosome 15q11-q13 region inherited from the father or by maternal disomy 15. Growth hormone deficiency with short stature, hypogonadism, cognitive and behavioral problems, analgesia, decreased gastric motility and decreased ability to vomit with hyperphagia are common in PWS leading to severe obesity in early childhood, if not controlled. The goal of this study is to investigate the effects of recombinant human GH (rhGH, henceforth designated GH) on the gene expression related to cognitive function in the brain of PWS mouse model (Snord116del). GH restored the mRNA expression level of several genes in the cerebellum. These data suggest the effect of GH on the expression of cognitive function related genes in cerebellum may provide a mechanism for the GH-induced brain function in PWS patients.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.39-41
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• 2021

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder of hyperphagia leading to severe obesity, intellectual deficits, compulsivity, and other behavioral problems. PWS is caused by the inactivation of contiguous genes on chromosome 15q11-q13, which complicates the development of targeted, effective therapeutics. Various preclinical studies have been conducted by developing mouse models that exhibit phenotypes similar to PWS. Oxytocin deficiency in PWS is associated with hyperphagia with impaired satiety and, food-seeking and behavior disorders. Here, we summarize the oxytocin study of ingestion behavior tested in the PWS mouse model and published data from clinical trials that have evaluated treatment effectiveness on ingestion behavior and social dysfunction in patients with PWS.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.8-11
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• 2021

Glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1; OMIM #231670) is a rare autosomal recessive-inherited neurometabolic disorder caused by the deficiency of glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase (GCDH), which is encoded by the GCDH gene. It results in the accumulation of glutaric acid (GA), 3-hydroxyglutaric acid (3-OH-GA), glutaconic acid, and glutarylcarnitine (C5DC). These metabolites are considered to damage the striatum through an excitotoxic mechanism. The treatments of GA1 known to date are metabolic maintenance treatment based on a low-lysine diet and emergency treatment during acute illness. However, treatment after the onset of neurological symptoms has limited effectiveness and is associated with poor outcomes, and the effect of treatment and disease course after treatment are not good. After the implementation of newborn screening, the incidence of acute encephalopathic crisis fell to 10%-20% with early diagnosis, preventative dietary management, and aggressive medical intervention during acute episodes. Recently, several cohort studies have been published on the natural course and treatment of GA1 patients. This mini review will cover the clinical symptoms, natural history, and treatment of GA1 through a literature review.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.34-38
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• 2021

Prader-Willi syndrome is a complicated genetic disorder caused by a mutation on chromosome 15q11-13. The disease results in morbid obesity due to hyperphagia, growth disturbance, multiple endocrine problems from hypopituitarism, developmental delay, and cognitive or behavioral problems. Recombinant human growth hormone has been used to improve body composition and muscle mass, which plays a main role in treating patients with Prader-Willi syndrome. We describe previous studies showing the efficacy and safety of growth hormone treatment in children with Prader-Willi syndrome and provide treatment guidelines. Growth hormone therapy could be beneficial for children with Prader-Willi syndrome and improve their quality of life.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.26-36
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• 2018

Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIA is a heritable neurodegenerative disorder resulting from the dysfunction of the lysosomal hydrolase sulphamidase. This leads to the primary accumulation of the complex carbohydrate heparan sulphate in a wide range of tissues and CNS degeneration. Characterization of animal model is the beginning point of the therapeutic clinical trial. Mouse model has a limitation in that it is not a human and does not have all of the disease phenotypes. Therefore, delineate of the phenotypic characteristics of MPS IIIA mouse model prerequisite for the enzyme replace treatment for the diseases. We designed 6-month duration of phenotypic characterization of MPS IIIA mouse biochemically, behaviorally and histologically. We compared height and weight of MPS IIIA mouse with wild type from 4 weeks to 6 months in both male and female. At 6 months, we measured GAG storage in urine kidney, heart, liver, lung and spleen. The brain GAG storage is presented with Alcian blue staining, immunohistochemistry, and electron-microscopy. The neurologic phenotype is evaluated by brain MRI and behavioral study including open field test, fear conditioning, T-maze test and Y-maze test. Especially behavioral tests were done serially at 4month and 6month. This study will show the result of the MPS IIIA mouse model phenotypic characterization. The MPS IIIA mouse provides an excellent model for evaluating pathogenic mechanisms of disease and for testing treatment strategies, including enzyme or cell replacement and gene therapy.