• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.44-48
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• 2015

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IIIA is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by abnormalities of the enzyme Heparan N-sulfatase that is required for degradation of heparan sulfate. The patient in this study was a 5 year-old boy who presented with macrocephaly and developmental delay. Urinary excretion of glycosaminoglycan was increased (26 g/moL creatinine, reference range: <7 g/moL creatinine) and a distinct band of heparan sulfate was shown in electrophoresis. Heparan N-sulfatase activity was significantly decreased in skin fibroblasts (0.2 pmoL/min/mg protein, reference range: 9-64 pmoL/min/mg protein). PCR and direct sequencing analysis of the SGSH gene showed compound heterozygous mutations: c.1040C>T (p.S347F) and c.703G>A (p.D235N). This is the first report for a Korean patient with MPS IIIA who was confirmed by biochemical investigation and molecular genetic analyses.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.5-14
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• 2015

This paper addresses the state of arts of microneedles for the transdermal drug delivery applications. Microneedles can be classified based on materials and shapes. For the materials, microneedles could be made of ceramics, metals and polymers. The shape of the microneedles can be classified into solid and hollow microneedles. Methods of transdermal drug delivery based on microneedle patch are discussed, and various fabrication methods of microneedle patches are introduced.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.27-27
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• 2016

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.17-18
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• 2016

Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) is a well-established means of treating lysosomal storage disease (LSD). However, classical IV infusion based ERT method produces less than ideal results, especially, CNS defects and quality of life in patients. To improve these main problems of parental IV formulation for LSDs, we investigate modified ERT method and evaluated the efficacy in animal model.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) type III, or Sanfilippo syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder. It is caused by a deficiency of one of four enzymes involved in the degradation of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) heparan sulfate. The resultant cellular accumulation of heparan sulfate causes various clinical manifestations. MPS III is divided into four subtypes depending on the deficient enzyme: MPS IIIA, MPS IIIB, MPS IIIC and MPS IIID. All the subtypes show similar clinical features and are characterized by progressive degeneration of the central nervous system (CNS). Main purpose of the treatment for MPS III is to prevent neurologic deterioration. However, conventional enzyme replacement therapy has a limitation due to inability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Several experimental treatment options for MPS III are being developed.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2017

Tandem mass spectrometry and other new technologies for the multiplex and quantitative analysis of dried blood spots have emerged as powerful techniques for the early screening and assessment of newborns for lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs). Screening newborns for these diseases is important, since treatment options, including enzyme replacement therapy or hematopoietic transplantation, are available for some LSDs, such as infant-onset Pompe disease, Fabry disease, some types of mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs), and Krabbe disease. For these diseases, early initiation of treatment, before symptoms worsen, often leads to better clinical outcomes. Several problems, however, are associated with newborn screening for LSDs, including the development of accurate test methods to reduce low false-positive rates and treatment guidelines for late-onset or mild disease variants, the high costs associated with multiplex assays, and ethical issues. In this review, we discuss the history, current status, and ethical problems associated with the newborn screening for LSDs, including MPSs.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.49-53
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• 2015

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex multisystem genetic disorder characterized by hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction. Many features of PWS indicate a deficiency in growth hormone (GH) production, and these findings provide a rationale for GH therapy in PWS. It is possible that rhGH therapy could have beneficial effects in adults with PWS, similar to those in adults with GH deficiency (GHD) of non-syndromic cause. However, there is a paucity of data on the use of GH in adults with PWS. Here, the previous studies about efficacy and safety of rhGH therapy in PWS adults are summarized. Briefly, rhGH therapy in PWS adults may improve body composition, leading to increased lean body mass and decreased fat mass, as well as decreased subcutaneous and visceral adiposity without overall changes in body mass index. There may be at least transient deterioration in glucose homoeostasis in some PWS patients on rhGH therapy, which requires further study. In addition, clinical care guidelines for rhGH therapy in adults with PWS were suggested.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.40-43
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• 2015

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), a complex genetic disorder, arises from suppressed expression of paternally inherited imprinted genes on chromosome 15q11-q13. Characteristics include short stature, intellectual disability, behavioral problems, hypogonadism, obesity, and reduced bone and muscle. The life expectancy of persons with PWS has increased in recent years. Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, dermatological, and orthopedic problems are common physical complaints in older people with PWS. Behavioral problems are major concerns in adults with PWS into old age. And aging is also associated with significant social and economic changes. Age-related physical morbidity, physical appearance, behavioral and psychiatric problems, functional decline and economic problems can be combined in older PWS. The care for older people with PWS requires a life span approach that recognizes the presence, progression, and consequences of specific morbidity.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2018

Lysosomal storage disorders are a group of rare inherited metabolic disorders with protean manifestations and variable severity ranging from attenuated forms to severe ones. It is necessary to diagnose and manage these disorders timely before irreversible damage occurs. Prior to the era of enzyme replacement therapy and newer therapeutics, only treatment option available was palliative care. Over the past two decades, extensive research in the lysosomal storage disorders has led to substantial expansion of our understanding about them. This mini review focusses on the spectrum, challenges faced in the diagnosis and therapy and remedial actions taken so far in lysosomal storage disorders in resource constrained country like India.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.11-13
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• 2018

In Malaysia, diagnosis and treatment of patients with mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) is mainly localized at Hospital Kuala Lumpur, which is the national referral center for rare diseases. To date there are 83 patients diagnosed with MPS in our center, with MPS II being the commonest. The Malaysian National Medicines Policy second edition has a specific section on the orphan drugs which includes recombinant human enzyme for enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) in MPS. So far, National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency Malaysia has approved recombinant human enzyme for MPS types I (Loranidase), II (idursulfase), IVA (elosulfase alfa), and VI (Galsufase). Access to Idursulfase beta (another recombinant human enzyme for MPS II) and vestronidase alfa-vjbk (MPS VII) required special authorization on named patient basic. Currently there are 25 patients receiving ERT, 70% of the funding are from Ministry of Health (MOH), the remaining 30% are from various charitable funds and humanitarian programs. Thirteen newly diagnosed patients have to queue for an additional fund. Four patients have been treated with Hematopoietic stem cell transplant. MOH has also published guidelines regarding the patient selection criteria for ERT and treatment monitoring schedule.