Objective: to analyze the safety and evaluate the effectiveness of therapy with onasemnogene abeparvovec in patients with spinal muscular atrophy in real clinical practice based on the experience of using the drug in the neuromuscular center of Research Clinical Pediatric Institute of Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University.Materials and methods. Patients with spinal muscular atrophy received therapy with onasemnogene abeparvovec based on the prescription of the drug according to vital indications by a council of physicians of Federal institutions (the availability of the drug was carried out within the framework of the MAP Program (global program of managed access MAP to AVXS-101 for eligible patients in countries, where it is not approved by regulatory authorities (NCT03955679), through funding from the charitable foundations, as well as through funding from the state fund “Circle of Kindness”. The drug tolerance was assessed and the analysis of side effects after drug administration was based on the criteria for adverse events (General criteria Adverse Event Terminology (CTCAE) v. 5.0) Patient motor function was assessed prior to treatment initiation and every 3–6 months after therapy using the Philadelphia Pediatric Hospital’s CHOP INTEND scale, total motor development based on Hammersmith Hospital Neurological Assessment Scale in Young Children, Part 2 (HINE-2), and the acquisition of new motor skills.Results. 41 children aged 5 to 47 months (weighing no more than 21 kg) received therapy with onasemnogene abeparvovec in the period from April 2020 to December 2021. Adverse events (hyperthermia, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting) were registered in all patients with different degree of severity. Elevated levels of transaminases greater than 2 times the upper limit of the normal range were observed in 32 patients (78 %), thrombocytopenia in 9 patients (22 %). 15 patients (36 %) required a dose adjustment of corticosteroids.17 patients underwent assessment of motor scales after 6 months, 10 children were assessed after a year. The average improvement on the HINE-2 scale was 3.3 / 4.4 points, respectively. The average improvement on the CHOP INTEND Scale was 7.1 / 9.4 points after 6 / 12 months of therapy.Conclusion. The efficacy and safety of onasemnogene abeparvovec have been demonstrated in real clinical practice in the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy for children in different age groups with a body weight of no more than 21 kg.
Introduction. Spinal muscular atrophy is a severe neuromuscular disease characterized by rapid progression of muscle weakness and early death. Pathogenetic therapy with nusinersen can significantly change the course of the disease and enable the patient to acquire new skills. The study of the efficacy and safety of nusinersen therapy in patients with type 1 spinal muscular atrophy should be continued. The aim of the study was to assess the safety and efficacy of nusinersen therapy in patients with type 1 spinal muscular atrophy for 6 months as part of an expanded access program at federal and regional healthcare facilities. Materials and methods. Patients with type 1 spinal muscular atrophy received nusinersen therapy under the expanded access program (NCT02865109). Patients were evaluated before starting treatment and 6 months after starting treatment. Overall motor development and motor function was assessed using the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Status Scale Part 2 and the Philadelphia Pediatric Hospital Neonatal Motor Scale. Results. 41 children aged 6 to 38 months received nusinersen therapy between July 2019 and March 2020. At the time of analysis, all patients were alive and continued treatment. The average improvement on the Hammersmith Hospital Neurological Status Scale was 3.7 points after 6 months of therapy compared to baseline (n = 39, p 0.001). The mean improvement on the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Scale for the Diagnosis of Motor Function in Newborns was 9.8 after 6 months of therapy from baseline (n = 30, p 0.001). Conclusion. The efficacy and safety of nusinersen have been demonstrated in real clinical practice in Russia in the treatment of early-onset spinal muscular atrophy.
Spinal muscular atrophy 5q (SMA) is one of the most common inherited neuromuscular diseases in children with an autosomal recessive type of inheritance. Homozygous deletion of exons 7 or 7–8 of the SMN1 gene encoding the motor neuron survival protein is responsible for 95 % of cases. SMA is characterized by a steadily progressive course with the development of paresis, muscle atrophy, loss of previously acquired motor skills, respiratory failure and skeletal deformities. The introduction of pathogenetic therapy in recent years has significantly changed the trajectory of SMA – patients survive, restore previously lost motor skills and acquire new ones. The clinical classification, which includes 5 types of SMA, is currently not a reliable reflection of the functional state of the child in dynamics. In 2005, a functional classification was recommended based on the patient’s current status: non-sitters (lying), sitters, and walkers. The article provides a summary of historical concepts regarding functional classification in SMA patients, as well as the criteria used in clinical trials and observations. We proposed criteria for categorizing SMA patients into a specific functional class by analyzing the available literature and making recommendations on using the classification in real clinical practice.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is one of the most common forms of childhood muscular dystrophies. Its incidence is 1 in 3.5–6 thousand newborn boys according to various sources. The disease is caused by the mutation in the DMD gene coding the dystrophin protein, it leads to the dystrophin absence or malfunction. The disease is characterized by proximal muscle weakness and gastrocnemius muscles pseudohypertrophy. In average, patients lose the ability to walk by themselves by the age of 11 and become nonambulatory. The authors have present modern epidemiological data and etiopathogenesis features of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and have described clinical signs of different disease stages. The algorithm and key points of differential diagnosis are indicated. Special attention was given to the patients’ management: pathogenetic treatment and rehabilitation of pediatric patients.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal neuromuscular disease due to a mutation in the gene encoding dystrophin synthesis. In patients, muscle damage and atrophy progresses, the ability to move independently decreases as well as respiratory and cardiac functions. At various stages of the disease, different methods of care and treatment of patients with DMD are used. The clinical effect of new methods of DMD target therapy may depend on the stage of development of the disease (ambulatory or non‑ambulatory). To date, there are no unified criteria for assessing the status of a patient in terms ambulatory. In clinical trials and real clinical practice, different approaches are used to assess the patient’s status. However, the conclusion about the functional capabilities is critical for patients with DMD as approaches in management of patients in ambulatory and non‑ambulatory stages differ significantly. This necessitates expert consensus to achieve consistency and avoid any of discrepancies on that issue.The paper reviews the available published data on the concepts of “ambulatory” and “non‑ambulatory” used in clinical trials, real clinical practice, international standards and recommendations. As a conclusion of this analysis, it is proposed in real clinical practice to interpret “ambulation” in DMD patients as ability to walk without the use of assistive devices and without specifying the distance and time, and “non‑ambulation” as condition in which the patient is forced to constantly use a wheelchair both indoors and outdoors.
15 June 2020 in Pediatria. Journal named after G.N. Speransky