| 1. |
- Adams, D., et al.
(author)
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Patisiran, an RNAi Therapeutic, for Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis
- 2018
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In: New England Journal of Medicine. - : Massachusetts Medical Society. - 0028-4793 .- 1533-4406. ; 379:1, s. 11-21
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Patisiran, an investigational RNA interference therapeutic agent, specifically inhibits hepatic synthesis of transthyretin.METHODS: In this phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned patients with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with polyneuropathy, in a 2:1 ratio, to receive intravenous patisiran (0.3 mg per kilogram of body weight) or placebo once every 3 weeks. The primary end point was the change from baseline in the modified Neuropathy Impairment Score+7 (mNIS+7; range, 0 to 304, with higher scores indicating more impairment) at 18 months. Other assessments included the Norfolk Quality of Life-Diabetic Neuropathy (Norfolk QOL-DN) questionnaire (range, -4 to 136, with higher scores indicating worse quality of life), 10-m walk test (with gait speed measured in meters per second), and modified body-mass index (modified BMI, defined as [weight in kilograms divided by square of height in meters] x albumin level in grams per liter; lower values indicated worse nutritional status).RESULTS: A total of 225 patients underwent randomization (148 to the patisiran group and 77 to the placebo group). The mean (+/- SD) mNIS+7 at baseline was 80.9 +/- 41.5 in the patisiran group and 74.6 +/- 37.0 in the placebo group; the least-squares mean (+/- SE) change from baseline was -6.0 +/- 1.7 versus 28.0 +/- 2.6 (difference, -34.0 points; P<0.001) at 18 months. The mean (+/- SD) baseline Norfolk QOL-DN score was 59.6 +/- 28.2 in the patisiran group and 55.5 +/- 24.3 in the placebo group; the least-squares mean (+/- SE) change from baseline was -6.7 +/- 1.8 versus 14.4 +/- 2.7 (difference, -21.1 points; P<0.001) at 18 months. Patisiran also showed an effect on gait speed and modified BMI. At 18 months, the least-squares mean change from baseline in gait speed was 0.08 +/- 0.02 m per second with patisiran versus -0.24 +/- 0.04 m per second with placebo (difference, 0.31 m per second; P<0.001), and the least-squares mean change from baseline in the modified BMI was -3.7 +/- 9.6 versus -119.4 +/- 14.5 (difference, 115.7; P<0.001). Approximately 20% of the patients who received patisiran and 10% of those who received placebo had mild or moderate infusion-related reactions; the overall incidence and types of adverse events were similar in the two groups.CONCLUSIONS: In this trial, patisiran improved multiple clinical manifestations of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis.
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| 2. |
- Berk, John L., et al.
(author)
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Repurposing Diflunisal for Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy : A Randomized Clinical Trial
- 2013
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In: Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). - : American Medical Association (AMA). - 0098-7484 .- 1538-3598. ; 310:24, s. 2658-2667
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- IMPORTANCE Familial amyloid polyneuropathy, a lethal genetic disease caused by aggregation of variant transthyretin, induces progressive peripheral nerve deficits and disability. Diflunisal, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, stabilizes transthyretin tetramers and prevents amyloid fibril formation in vitro. OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of diflunisal on polyneuropathy progression in patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS International randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted among 130 patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy exhibiting clinically detectable peripheral or autonomic neuropathy at amyloid centers in Sweden (Umea), Italy (Pavia), Japan (Matsumoto and Kumamoto), England (London), and the United States (Boston, Massachusetts; New York, New York; and Rochester, Minnesota) from 2006 through 2012. INTERVENTION Participants were randomly assigned to receive diflunisal, 250 mg (n=64), or placebo (n=66) twice daily for 2 years. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary end point, the difference in polyneuropathy progression between treatments, was measured by the Neuropathy Impairment Score plus 7 nerve tests (NIS+7) which ranges from 0 (no neurological deficits) to 270 points (no detectable peripheral nerve function). Secondary outcomes included a quality-of-life questionnaire (36-Item Short-Form Health Survey [SF-36]) and modified body mass index. Because of attrition, we used likelihood-based modeling and multiple imputation analysis of baseline to 2-year data. RESULTS By multiple imputation, the NIS+7 score increased by 25.0 (95% CI, 18.4-31.6) points in the placebo group and by 8.7 (95% CI, 3.3-14.1) points in the diflunisal group, a difference of 16.3 points (95% CI, 8.1-24.5 points; P < .001). Mean SF-36 physical scores decreased by 4.9 (95% CI, -7.6 to -2.2) points in the placebo group and increased by 1.5 (95% CI, -0.8 to 3.7) points in the diflunisal group (P < .001). Mean SF-36 mental scores declined by 1.1 (95% CI, -4.3 to 2.0) points in the placebo group while increasing by 3.7 (95% CI, 1.0-6.4) points in the diflunisal group (P = .02). By responder analysis, 29.7% of the diflunisal group and 9.4% of the placebo group exhibited neurological stability at 2 years (<2-point increase in NIS+7 score; P = .007). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Among patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy, the use of diflunisal compared with placebo for 2 years reduced the rate of progression of neurological impairment and preserved quality of life. Although longer-term follow-up studies are needed, these findings suggest benefit of this treatment for familial amyloid polyneuropathy.
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| 3. |
- Berk, John L, et al.
(author)
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The diflunisal trial : study accrual and drug tolerance
- 2012
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In: Amyloid. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1350-6129 .- 1744-2818. ; 19:S1, s. 37-38
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) is a protein folding disorder that induces neuropathy and cardiomyopathy, leading to death within 7-15 years after onset of clinical disease. In vitro, small ligands binding the thyroid hormone docking site stabilize tetrameric transthyretin, inhibiting amyloid fibril formation. We undertook a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to determine whether diflunisal, a well-known non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) alters neurologic disease progression in FAP. We enrolled 130 subjects with wide age and FAP mutation representation. To date, few recognized complications of NSAIDs have occurred in the study cohort. Data collection will be completed by November 2012.
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| 4. |
- Berk, J.L., et al.
(author)
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The diflunisal trial : update on study drug tolerance and disease progression
- 2011
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In: Amyloid : the international journal of experimental and clinical investigation : the official journal of the International Society of Amyloidosis. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1744-2818. ; 18:Suppl. 1, s. 191-192
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Abstract: Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) is a lethal genetic disorder that affects the peripheral and autonomic nervous systems, heart, gastro-intestinal (GI) tract, and soft tissues. Disease progression is increasingly reported following liver transplantation, the only proven treatment for FAP. Small molecule thyroxine mimetics stabilize transthyretin, inhibiting FAP amyloid fibril formation under stringent in vitro conditions. We report on the progress of an international, randomized placebo-controlled study designed to determine the effect of diflunisal, a thyroxine mimetic, on neurologic disease progression in patients with active FAP. Our experience to date indicates diflunisal is well tolerated by this study cohort and that neurologic disease advances more rapidly in FAP than it does in diabetes mellitus.Background: Transthyretin-related familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) is a lethal autosomal dominant genetic disorder that predominantly affects the peripheral nervous system. FAP amyloid fibrils result from the misfolding of transthyretin, a transport protein predominantly produced by the liver. Although liver transplantation effectively treats patients with certain FAP mutations and limited disease, reports increasingly document progressive amyloid deposition following transplantation [1,2]. Alternative treatments are needed. In vitro investigations and a phase I clinical trial have demonstrated that thyroxine and small molecule mimetics, e.g. diflunisal, inhibit tetrameric transthyretin dissociation and suppress amyloid fibril formation [3,4].Methods: To examine the effect of diflunisal on disease progression in FAP, we designed a randomized, placebo controlled, double blind, multicenter international study employing the validated diabetic (DM) polyneuropathy metric, Neurologic Impairment Score + 7 attributes (NIS+7®), as the primary endpoint. A two-point change in NIS+7 correlates with clinically detectable progression of peripheral neuropathy among diabetics [5]. Entry criteria include proven FAP genotype, biopsy-proven amyloid deposits, and peripheral or autonomic neuropathy. Patients with alternate causes of neuropathy, other NSAID use, severe heart or kidney dysfunction, or previous liver transplantion are excluded. Study evaluations occur at entry, 6, 12, and 24 months. Adverse are collected by monthly telephone interviews, diary entries, and study site visit interactions. Relatedness of adverse events to study drug is assigned according to documentation in the investigational brochure, the protocol, the informed consent form; or at the investigator's discretion.Results: To date, 90 subjects have enrolled – 62 men and 28 women with median age 63 years (range 27–76 years). Adverse events tabulated by affected organ systems predominantly involved gastrointestinal events, more often attributed to disease complications than study drug side effects (Table 1). Although rare events, congestive heart failure in two subjects and GI bleeding in another prompted study drug discontinuation. Two disease-related deaths have occurred, both off study drug. Aggregate data from all study subjects (placebo and active drug arms) followed for at least 12 months identified a 3.2 point increase in median NIS+7 summated scores. In contrast, Dyck et al. [6] reported an annual 0.85 point increase in NIS+7 median scores in a large cohort of diabetics with polyneuropathy. Taken together, NIS+7 detected neurologic disease progression in this FAP cohort after 12 months observation. Additionally, NIS+7 measured disease advanced 3.5 times faster in our aggregate FAP study population than previously reported in DM.Conclusions: Diflunisal is well tolerated in FAP patients participating in the study. NIS+7, a composite scoring system, appears to be an effective study instrument for ATTR neuropathy, detecting significant change over 12 months observation. Neurologic disease progresses more rapidly in FAP than DM cohorts. The exact rate of disease progression in untreated FAP subjects detected by NIS+7 awaits unblinding of the data. These data will provide basis for future study design in FAP patients.
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| 5. |
- Ihse, E, et al.
(author)
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Amyloid fibril composition is related to the phenotype of hereditary transthyretin V30M amyloidosis
- 2008
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In: Journal of Pathology. - : Wiley. - 0022-3417 .- 1096-9896. ; 216:2, s. 253-61
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Swedish familial systemic amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (FAP) depends on a mutation leading to a methionine-for-valine substitution in transthyretin. The disease appears with different clinical manifestations, including age of onset and involvement of the heart. Liver transplantation is currently the only curative treatment, but progressive cardiomyopathy may occur post-transplant. Two amyloid deposition patterns have previously been described in the heart. In one, the amyloid consists partially of transthyretin fragments and is weakly stainable by Congo red, while in the other, only full-length molecules are found and the fibrils have a strong affinity for Congo red. The present study aimed to see whether these morphological and biochemical variations have clinical implications. Subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies were taken from 33 patients with Val30Met FAP and examined by microscopy, electrophoresis and western blot. Clinical data included age, sex, duration of disease and echocardiographic determination of the interventricular septum (IVS) thickness. It was found that fibrils composed of only full-length transthyretin were associated with early age of onset (44.8 +/- 12.9 years), no clinical cardiac involvement and a strong affinity for Congo red. In contrast, presence of transthyretin fragments in the amyloid was associated with late age of onset (67.3 +/- 7.0 years), signs of cardiac involvement and weak Congo red staining. For each individual, the same molecular type of amyloid was found in different organs. This is the first report showing that variations in clinical appearance of familial ATTR amyloidosis are associated with specific structural differences in the amyloid fibrils, and therefore may have a molecular cause. The molecular type of amyloid can be determined from a subcutaneous fat tissue biopsy.
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| 6. |
- Obici, Laura, et al.
(author)
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Recommendations for presymptomatic genetic testing and management of individuals at risk for hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis
- 2016
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In: Current Opinion in Neurology. - 1350-7540 .- 1473-6551. ; 29, s. S27-S35
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose of review These recommendations highlight recent experience in genetic counselling for the severe autosomal-dominant, late-onset transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP) disease, and present a structured approach towards identification and monitoring of asymptomatic carriers of the mutated gene. Recent findings The effectiveness of current treatment options is still limited in patients with TTR-FAP beyond stage I. Diagnosis in the early stages of TTR-FAP is essential to prevent or delay the progression of disease. Existing legal and cultural issues differ among countries within Europe. Experts of the European Network for TTRFAP (ATTReuNET) concluded that genetic counselling for diagnosed individuals and at-risk family members is mostly beneficial and should be carried out with care by trained professionals. Systematic and regular monitoring of an asymptomatic carrier is necessary to detect early signs of TTR-FAP and maximize the effectiveness of treatment. This includes five areas of assessment: history/clinical examination, sensorimotor function, autonomic dysfunction, cardiac function, and renal function. At least two related symptoms and positive biopsy findings are required to confirm diagnosis of TTR-FAP. Summary Early detection of TTR-FAP is essential to improve the prognosis of TTR-FAP. ATTReuNET recommends genetic counselling and routine monitoring for asymptomatic carriers of TTR-FAP.
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| 7. |
- Okamoto, Sadahisa, et al.
(author)
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Prognostic value of pre-transplant cardiomyopathy in Swedish liver transplanted patients for familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy
- 2011
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In: Amyloid : the international journal of experimental and clinical investigation : the official journal of the International Society of Amyloidosis. - Pearl River : Parthenon. - 1744-2818. ; 18 Suppl 1, s. 166-8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Liver transplantation (LTx) for familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) is a recognized treatment for halting disease progression. Since cardiac complications are the main cause of postoperative death in FAP patients, we studied the potential relationship between pre-LTx amyloid heart disease and post-LTx mortality. Seventy-five Swedish patients who underwent LTx (72 Val30Met and 3 non-Val30Met patients) were available for the study. An intra-ventricular septal (IVS) thickness more than 15 mm at the pre-LTx evaluation was defined as cardiomyopathy. Nine patients out of 75 patients died, all were males and all belonged to the late onset group (age at onset ≥50 years). Four had cardiomyopathy at the pre-LTx evaluation. Survival rate was significantly higher in patients without cardiomyopathy at LTx compared to those with cardiomyopathy. Our results suggest that cardiomyopathy at LTx has an impact on the outcome of LTx for FAP.Read More: http://informahealthcare.com/doi/full/10.3109/13506129.2011.574354064
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| 8. |
- Rydh, Anders, et al.
(author)
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Serum amyloid P component scintigraphy in familial amyloid polyneuropathy : regression of visceral amyloid following liver transplantation.
- 1998
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In: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine. - 0340-6997 .- 1432-105X. ; 25:7, s. 709-713
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) associated with transthyretin (TTR) mutations is the commonest type of hereditary amyloidosis. Plasma TTR is produced almost exclusively in the liver and orthotopic liver transplantation is the only available treatment, although the clinical outcome varies. Serum amyloid P component (SAP) scintigraphy is a method for identifying and quantitatively monitoring amyloid deposits in vivo, but it has not previously been used to study the outcome of visceral amyloid deposits in FAP following liver transplantation. Whole body scintigraphy following injection of iodine-123 labelled SAP was performed in 17 patients with FAP associated with TTR Met30 and in five asymptomatic gene carriers. Follow-up studies were performed in ten patients, eight of whom had undergone orthotopic liver transplantation 1-5 years beforehand. There was abnormal uptake of 123I-SAP in all FAP patients, including the kidneys in each case, the spleen in five cases and the adrenal glands in three cases. Renal amyloid deposits were also present in three of the asymptomatic carriers. Follow-up studies 1-5 years after liver transplantation showed that there had been substantial regression of the visceral amyloid deposits in two patients and modest improvement in three cases. The amyloid deposits were unchanged in two patients. In conclusion, 123I-SAP scintigraphy identified unsuspected visceral amyloid in each patient with FAP due to TTR Met30. The universal presence of renal amyloid probably underlies the high frequency of renal failure that occurs in FAP following liver transplantation. The variable capacity of patients to mobilise amyloid deposits following liver transplantation may contribute to their long-term clinical outcome.
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| 9. |
- Suhr, Ole B, et al.
(author)
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Early liver transplantation improves familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy patients' survival
- 2005
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In: Amyloid. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1350-6129 .- 1744-2818. ; 12:4, s. 233-8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Since the first liver transplantation for familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy was performed in 1990, it has become an accepted treatment for this systemic amyloid disorder. Liver transplantation halts the production of the mutated amyloidogenic transthyretin, and thereby amyloid formation, and also progression of the majority of symptoms. Improvement in survival from onset of disease in transplanted patients compared to non-transplanted subjects has of yet not been demonstrated, partly because of the natural relatively slow progression of the disease with an expected median survival of 13 years.In this retrospective study we compared the early initial series (n=34) of transplantations, where severely malnourished patients were accepted, with a later series (n=27) of transplants, as well as a control group (n=19) consisting of non-transplanted patients.For transplanted patients with an modified body mass index (mBMI) above 600 an improved survival was noted compared with that of non-transplanted historical controls. So far no difference in survival between the early and late series has been found.Our previous recommendation of selection of patients primarily according to their nutritional status appears to be well justified, since it is now possible to demonstrate an increased survival for the transplanted group of patients with a preserved nutritional status (mBMI > 600) compared to the control group of non-transplanted patients.
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
- Yamamoto, Shinji, et al.
(author)
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Liver transplantation for familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) : a single-center experience over 16 years
- 2007
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In: American Journal of Transplantation. - : Elsevier BV. - 1600-6135 .- 1600-6143. ; 7:11, s. 2597-2604
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Orthotopic liver transplantation (LTx) is currently the only available treatment that has been proven to halt the progress of familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP). The aim of this study was to assess mortality and symptomatic response to LTx for FAP. All 86 FAP patients transplanted at our hospital between April 1990 and November 2005 were included in the study. Five patients underwent retransplantation. The 1-, 3- and 5-year patient survival rates in patients transplanted during 1996-2005 were 94.6%, 92.3% and 92.3%, respectively, a significant difference from the rates of 76.7%, 66.7% and 66.7%, respectively, during 1990-1995 (p = 0.0003). Multivariate analysis revealed that the age at the time of LTx (>or=40 years), duration of the disease (>or=7 years) and modified body mass index (mBMI) (<600) were independent prognostic factors for patient survival. A halt in the progress of symptoms was noted in most patients, but only a minority experienced an improvement after LTx. To optimize the posttransplant prognosis, LTx should be performed in the early stages of the disease, and close post-LTx monitoring of heart function by echocardiography and of heart arrhythmia by Holter ECG is mandatory.
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| 13. |
- Adams, David, et al.
(author)
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Expert consensus recommendations to improve diagnosis of ATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy
- 2021
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In: Journal of Neurology. - : Springer Berlin/Heidelberg. - 0340-5354 .- 1432-1459. ; 268:6, s. 2109-2122
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Amyloid transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (PN) is a progressive, debilitating, systemic disease wherein transthyretin protein misfolds to form amyloid, which is deposited in the endoneurium. ATTR amyloidosis with PN is the most serious hereditary polyneuropathy of adult onset. It arises from a hereditary mutation in theTTRgene and may involve the heart as well as other organs. It is critical to identify and diagnose the disease earlier because treatments are available to help slow the progression of neuropathy. Early diagnosis is complicated, however, because presentation may vary and family history is not always known. Symptoms may be mistakenly attributed to other diseases such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy, lumbar spinal stenosis, and, more rarely, diabetic neuropathy and AL amyloidosis. In endemic countries (e.g., Portugal, Japan, Sweden, Brazil), ATTR amyloidosis with PN should be suspected in any patient who has length-dependent small-fiber PN with autonomic dysfunction and a family history of ATTR amyloidosis, unexplained weight loss, heart rhythm disorders, vitreous opacities, or renal abnormalities. In nonendemic countries, the disease may present as idiopathic rapidly progressive sensory motor axonal neuropathy or atypical CIDP with any of the above symptoms or with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, gait disorders, or cardiac hypertrophy. Diagnosis should include DNA testing, biopsy, and amyloid typing. Patients should be followed up every 6-12 months, depending on the severity of the disease and response to therapy. This review outlines detailed recommendations to improve the diagnosis of ATTR amyloidosis with PN.
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| 14. |
- Adams, David, et al.
(author)
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First European consensus for diagnosis, management, and treatment of transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy
- 2016
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In: Current Opinion in Neurology. - : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 1350-7540 .- 1473-6551. ; 29, s. S14-S26
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose of review Early and accurate diagnosis of transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP) represents one of the major challenges faced by physicians when caring for patients with idiopathic progressive neuropathy. There is little consensus in diagnostic and management approaches across Europe. Recent findings The low prevalence of TTR-FAP across Europe and the high variation in both genotype and phenotypic expression of the disease means that recognizing symptoms can be difficult outside of a specialized diagnostic environment. The resulting delay in diagnosis and the possibility of misdiagnosis can misguide clinical decision-making and negatively impact subsequent treatment approaches and outcomes. Summary This review summarizes the findings from two meetings of the European Network for TTR-FAP (ATTReuNET). This is an emerging group comprising representatives from 10 European countries with expertise in the diagnosis and management of TTR-FAP, including nine National Reference Centres. The current review presents management strategies and a consensus on the gold standard for diagnosis of TTR-FAP as well as a structured approach to ongoing multidisciplinary care for the patient. Greater communication, not just between members of an individual patient's treatment team, but also between regional and national centres of expertise, is the key to the effective management of TTR-FAP.
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- Adams, David, et al.
(author)
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Phase 2 open-label extention (OLE) study of patisiran, an investigational siRNA agent for familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP)
- 2015
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In: Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1750-1172. ; 10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) is a progressive and fatal, autosomal dominant disease caused by deposition of mutant and wild-type transthyretin (TTR). Patisiran is an investigational, systemically administered lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation of a small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting wild-type and mutant TTR. This formulation delivers the siRNA predominantly to the liver, thereby inhibiting synthesis of TTR at the primary site of production. A recently completed multi-center, multi-dose Phase 2 trial of patisiran in FAP patients (N=29) showed >80% sustained mean knockdown of serum TTR when administered at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg every 3 weeks with a generally favorable safety profile (Suhr O, ISA 2014).Methods: A Phase 2 open-label extension (OLE) study of patisiran in patients with FAP who participated in the aforementioned trial, was initiated in October 2013. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of 0.3 mg/kg patisiran administered intravenously once every 3 weeks for up to 2 years. Secondary objectives include assessment of patisiran's effect on serum TTR levels, as well as evaluation every 6 months of its impact on clinical measures, including the mNIS+7 composite neurologic impairment score and quality of life (QOL).Results: Twenty-seven patients were enrolled; median age 64 years (range: 29-77 years). Chronic dosing with patisiran has been generally well tolerated. Three patients experienced serious adverse events unrelated to study drug. Flushing and infusion-related reactions were observed in 22.2% and 18.5% of the patients, respectively; these were mild in severity, and did not result in any discontinuations. Sustained mean serum TTR lowering of approximately 80% was achieved, with further mean nadir of up to 88% between doses for approximately 16 months. Stabilization of quality of life (QOL) measures was observed. Among the 20 evaluable patients at the time of data cutoff, neuropathy impairment scores were stable through 12 months with a mean change in mNIS+7 and NIS of -2.5 and 0.4 points, respectively; this compares favorably to the 10-18 point increase in neurologic impairment scores estimated at 12 months from prior FAP studies in a patient population with similar baseline NIS.Conclusion: Data from this Phase 2 OLE study demonstrate that 12-months of patisiran administration was well-tolerated, resulted in sustained mean serum TTR lowering, and has the potential to halt neuropathy progression. As of March 2015, dosing continues for all patients; 18-month results will be presented.
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
- Alaish, Ram, et al.
(author)
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Safety of azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine in patients with inflammatory bowel disease naive to thiopurine treatment
- 2017
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In: International journal of clinical pharmacology and therapeutics. - : DUSTRI-VERLAG DR KARL FEISTLE. - 0946-1965. ; 55:7, s. 594-600
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: To determine if 6-mercaptopurine (MP) is better tolerated than azathioprine (AZA) as the initial thiopurine treatment in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Switching patients with IBD from AZA to MP is advocated in patients intolerant to AZA. However, no study has determined if MP is more suited than AZA as a first-line treatment for patients who are naive to thiopurine treatment. Study: The tolerance of AZA and MP treatments in clinical practice was retrospectively evaluated from start to 12 months after initiating treatment in 113 patients with IBD who were all naive to thiopurines (82 patients treated with AZA and 31 patients with MP). Results: 65% of the patients treated with AZA and 61% of the patients treated with MP tolerated their treatment during 12 months (i.e., no group difference, p = 0.742). No difference in reported side effects between the two treatments was observed. The mean equivalent initial dose (0.92 vs. 0.61 mg/kg; p < 0.001) and the mean equivalent dose at 12 months (1.98 vs. 1.65 mg/kg; p = 0.014) was significantly higher in the MP group vs. the AZA group. The proportion of patients with.MCV = 7 at 12 months was numerically higher in the MP group than in the AZA group (53% vs. 31%; p = 0.090). Conclusions: In this retrospective observational study, no differences in tolerance or adherence between AZA and MP were observed in patients naive to thiopurines. However, MP treatment was at a higher equivalent thiopurine dose than AZA treatment, which tended to be associated with better treatment response.
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Anan, Intissar, et al.
(author)
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Amyloid fibril composition type is consistent over time in patients with Val30Met (p. Val50Met) transthyretin amyloidosis
- 2022
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In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science. - 1932-6203. ; 17:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: We have previously shown that transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis patients have amyloid fibrils of either of two compositions; type A fibrils consisting of large amounts of C-terminal TTR fragments in addition to full-length TTR, or type B fibrils consisting of only full-length TTR. Since type A fibrils are associated with an older age in ATTRVal30Met (p.Val50Met) amyloidosis patients, it has been discussed if the TTR fragments are derived from degradation of the amyloid deposits as the patients are aging. The present study aimed to investigate if the fibril composition type changes over time, especially if type B fibrils can shift to type A fibrils as the disease progresses.Material and methods: Abdominal adipose tissue biopsies from 29 Swedish ATTRVal30Met amyloidosis patients were investigated. The fibril type in the patients initial biopsy taken for diagnostic purposes was compared to a biopsy taken several years later (ranging between 2 and 13 years). The fibril composition type was determined by western blot.Results: All 29 patients had the same fibril composition type in both the initial and the follow-up biopsy (8 type A and 21 type B). Even patients with a disease duration of more than 12 years and an age over 75 years at the time of the follow-up biopsy had type B fibrils in both biopsies.Discussion: The result clearly shows that the amyloid fibril composition containing large amounts of C-terminal fragments (fibril type A) is a consequence of other factors than a slow degradation process occurring over time.
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| 22. |
- Anan, Intissar, et al.
(author)
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Colonic endocrine cells in patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy.
- 1999
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In: Journal of Internal Medicine. - 0954-6820 .- 1365-2796. ; 245:5, s. 469-73
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To establish whether the endocrine cell number is affected in the colon in Japanese FAP patients.SETTING: Department of Medicine, Umeå University Hospital and Department of Internal Medicine and Pathology, University Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan.SUBJECTS: Autopsy colon tissue specimens from 11 FAP patients and nine controls as well as 12 control biopsy specimens were included in the study.MEASUREMENTS: Endocrine cells in the colon were detected by immunohistochemistry and quantified by computerized image analysis.RESULTS: The autopsy material showed a slight autolysis. Neither enteroglucagon nor pancreatic polypeptide positive cells could be detected in the autopsy material, but were present in biopsy material. There was no statistical difference between autopsy and biopsy specimens regarding the number of peptide YY (PYY), somatostatin and serotonin cells. No significant differences were noted in PYY, somatostatin and serotonin immunoreactive cells in FAP patients compared to autopsy controls, though PYY cells tended to be decreased and serotonin and somatostatin cells tended to be increased in FAP patients.CONCLUSION: The difference between the Swedish and Japanese patients in the endocrine cell content points to the possibility of involvement of other factors than the endocrine cell depletion of the colon might be involved in the pathogenesis of gastro-intestinal dysfunction in FAP. The tendency of PYY to decrease in Japanese FAP might contribute to the development of diarrhoea in these patients.
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| 23. |
- Anan, Intissar, et al.
(author)
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Colonic enteric nervous system in patients with familial amyloidotic neuropathy.
- 1999
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In: Acta Neuropathologica. - 0001-6322 .- 1432-0533. ; 98:1, s. 48-54
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The colonic enteric nervous system was investigated in autopsy specimens from 12 patients with familial amyloidotic neuropathy (FAP) and 9 controls. The infiltration of amyloid deposits in the enteric nervous system was studied by double staining for amyloid and nerve elements. The myenteric plexus was immunostained for protein gene product (PGP) 9.5, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), substance P and nitric oxide synthase (NOS). The immunostained nerve elements were quantified by computerised image analysis. Double staining revealed that there was no amyloid infiltration in the ganglia, or in the nerve fibres in the colonic enteric nervous system of FAP patients. The relative volume density of PGP 9.5-immunoreactive nerve fibres in both the circular and the longitudinal muscle layers in FAP patients did not differ significantly from that of controls. The relative volume density of VIP-immunoreactive nerve fibres in the circular muscle layer was significantly decreased in FAP patients compared with controls, but not in the longitudinal layer. The number of VIP-immunoreactive neurons/mm2 myenteric ganglia was significantly decreased in FAP patients. There were no statistical differences in the relative volume density for substance P- and NOS-immunoreactive nerve fibres between FAP patients and controls, nor was there any difference between FAP patients and controls regarding the number of NOS- and substance P-immunoreactive neurons/mm2 myenteric ganglia. It is concluded that the colonic enteric nervous system as a whole is intact and is not damaged by amyloid infiltration. The present observation of a reduction of VIP-immunoreactive nerve fibres and neurons in myenteric plexus of FAP patients might be one of the factors that contribute to the motility disorders seen in FAP patients.
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| 24. |
- Anan, Intissar, et al.
(author)
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Comparison of amyloid deposits and infiltration of enteric nervous system in the upper with those in the lower gastrointestinal tract in patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy.
- 2001
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In: Acta Neuropathologica. - 0001-6322 .- 1432-0533. ; 102:3, s. 227-32
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Gastrointestinal (GI) complications in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) are invariably present during the course of the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate amyloid deposits in the myenteric plexus of the stomach and small intestine in FAP patients and compare the results with those of the colon. Six FAP patients were included in the study. The myenteric plexus and the number of macrophages (CD68) and blood vessels were immunostained and quantified by computerised image analysis. Double staining for amyloid and nerve elements was used to detect amyloid infiltration in the myenteric plexus. Amyloid was found predominantly in the walls of blood vessels, and was detected in the nerves of five FAP patients and in 18% of the examined ganglia of the myenteric plexus of the stomach. In the small intestine, 6% of examined ganglia showed amyloid deposits. In contrast, no deposits were found in the myenteric plexus of the colon. CD68-positive cells showed no difference in three parts of the GI tract. Most amyloid deposits were noted in the stomach, followed by the small intestine. There are significantly more blood vessels in the stomach and small intestine compared with the colon, and the amount of amyloid correlated with the number of blood vessels, and not with the amount of nerves and ganglia. The enteric nerve system is not a targeted organ for amyloid deposition in FAP.
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| 25. |
- Anan, Intissar, et al.
(author)
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Liver transplantation restores endocrine cells in patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy.
- 2000
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In: Transplantation. - 0041-1337 .- 1534-6080. ; 70:5, s. 794-9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, Portuguese type patients' endocrine cell content in the stomach and duodenum before and after liver transplantation, and to relate the findings to the patients' gastrointestinal disturbances.METHODS: Ten liver-transplanted familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy, Portuguese type patients and 10 healthy controls were seen. Endocrine cells were identified by immunohistochemistry and quantified with computerized image analysis. The activity of the cells was appraised by measurements of the cell secretory index and nuclear area. Clinical symptoms were obtained from the patients' medical records.RESULTS: After transplantation, a significant increase of several endocrine cell types were noted, and the pretransplant depletion of several types of endocrine cells disappeared. For no type of endocrine cell was any difference compared with controls noted after transplantation. There was no significant decrease of the amount of amyloid in the biopsies after liver transplantation. The patients' symptoms remained generally unchanged after transplantation, although a substantial time lapse between pretransplant evaluation and transplantation was present.CONCLUSIONS: Liver transplantation restores the endocrine cells in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. The restoration was not correlated with an improvement of the patients' symptoms. No decrease of the amyloid deposits was noted.
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