Treatment adherence in tyrosinemia type 1 patients

Background: While therapeutic advances have signifcantly improved the prognosis of patients with hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT1), adherence to dietary and pharmacological treatments is essential for an optimal clinical outcome. Poor treatment adherence is well documented among patients with chronic diseases, but data from HT1 patients are scarce. This study evaluated pharmacological and dietary adherence in HT1 patients both directly, by quantifying blood levels nitisinone (NTBC) levels and metabolic biomarkers of HT1 [tyrosine (Tyr), phenylalanine (Phe), and succinylacetone]; and indirectly, by analyzing NTBC prescriptions from hospital pharmacies and via clinical inter views including the Haynes-Sackett (or self-compliance) test and the adapted Battle test of patient knowledge of the disease. Results: This observational study analyzed data collected over 4 years from 69 HT1 patients (7 adults and 62 children; age range, 7months-35 years) who were treated with NTBC and a low-Tyr, low-Phe diet. Adherence to both pharmacological and, in particular, dietary treatment was poor. Annual data showed that NTBC levels were lower than recommended in more than one third of patients, and that initial Tyr levels were high (>400µM) in 54.2-64.4% of patients and exceeded 750µM in 25.8% of them. Remarkably, annual normalization of NTBC levels was observed in 29.4-57.9% of patients for whom serial NTBC determinations were performed. Poor adherence to dietary treatment was more refractory to positive reinforcement: 36.2% of patients in the group who underwent multiple analyses per year maintained high Tyr levels during the entire study period, and, when considering each of the years individually this percentage ranged from 75 to 100% of them. Indirect methods revealed percentages of non-adherent patients of 7.3 and 15.9% (adapted Battle and Haynes tests, respectively). Conclusions: Despite initially poor adherence to pharmacological and especially dietary treatment among HT1 patients, positive reinforcement at medical consultations resulted in a marked improvement in NTBC levels, indicating the importance of systematic positive reinforcement at medical visits.Funding. NTBC determination was funded by SOBI. Acknowledgements. The authors thank all participating centers, as well as the patients and their families

Evolution of tyrosinemia type 1 disease in patients treated with nitisinone in Spain

Nephrocalcinosis; Phenotype; Severe liver dysfunctionNefrocalcinosis; Fenotipo; Disfunción hepática graveNefrocalcinosi; Fenotip; Disfunció hepàtica greuTreatment with nitisinone (NTBC) has brought about a drastic improvement in the treatment and prognosis of hereditary tyrosinemia type I (HT1). We conducted a retrospective observational multicentric study in Spanish HT1 patients treated with NTBC to assess clinical and biochemical long-term evolution.We evaluated 52 patients, 7 adults and 45 children, treated with NTBC considering: age at diagnosis, diagnosis by clinical symptoms, or by newborn screening (NBS); phenotype (acute/subacute/chronic), mutational analysis; symptoms at diagnosis and clinical course; biochemical markers; doses of NTBC; treatment adherence; anthropometric evolution; and neurocognitive outcome.The average follow-up period was 6.1 ± 4.9 and 10.6 ± 5.4 years in patients with early and late diagnosis respectively. All patients received NTBC from diagnosis with an average dose of 0.82 mg/kg/d. All NBS-patients (n = 8) were asymptomatic at diagnosis except 1 case with acute liver failure, and all remain free of liver and renal disease in follow-up. Liver and renal affectation was markedly more frequent at diagnosis in patients with late diagnosis (P T.After NTBC treatment a reduction in tyrosine and alpha-fetoprotein levels was observed in all the study groups, significant for alpha-fetoprotein in no NBS-group (P = .03), especially in subacute/chronic forms (P = .018).This series confirms that NTBC treatment had clearly improved the prognosis and quality of life of HT1 patients, but it also shows frequent cognitive dysfunctions and learning difficulties in medium-term follow-up, and, in a novel way, a high percentage of overweight/obesity

Molecular and functional profiling identifies therapeutically targetable vulnerabilities in plasmablastic lymphoma

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) represents a rare and aggressive lymphoma subtype frequently associated with immunosuppression. Clinically, patients with PBL are characterized by poor outcome. The current understanding of the molecular pathogenesis is limited. A hallmark of PBL represents its plasmacytic differentiation with loss of B-cell markers and, in 60% of cases, its association with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Roughly 50% of PBLs harbor a MYC translocation. Here, we provide a comprehensive integrated genomic analysis using whole exome sequencing (WES) and genome-wide copy number determination in a large cohort of 96 primary PBL samples. We identify alterations activating the RAS-RAF, JAK-STAT, and NOTCH pathways as well as frequent high-level amplifications in MCL1 and IRF4. The functional impact of these alterations is assessed using an unbiased shRNA screen in a PBL model. These analyses identify the IRF4 and JAK-STAT pathways as promising molecular targets to improve outcome of PBL patients

Micronutrient in hyperphenylalaninemia

The data presented here are the biochemical parameters of 156 patients with hyperphenylalaninemia. PKU patients, who, in order to maintain optimal serum Phe concentrations, receive dietary treatment consisting of a diet low in natural protein supplemented with special low protein foods and a Phe-free amino acid mixture, vitamins and minerals. The obtained data reflects a high percentage of patients with prealbumin and selenium deficiencies, as well as an increased level of folic acid. This data article is related to the research article entitled, “Vitamin and mineral status in patients with hyperphenylalaninemia”, by Crujeiras et al. [1]

Supplementation for Performance and Health in Patients with Phenylketonuria: An Exercise-Based Approach to Improving Dietary Adherence

Supplementation is crucial for improving performance and health in phenylketonuria (PKU) patients, who face dietary challenges. Proteins are vital for athletes, supporting muscle growth, minimizing catabolism, and aiding muscle repair and glycogen replenishment post-exercise. However, PKU individuals must limit phenylalanine (Phe) intake, requiring supplementation with Phe-free amino acids or glycomacropeptides. Tailored to meet nutritional needs, these substitutes lack Phe but fulfill protein requirements. Due to limited supplement availability, athletes with PKU may need higher protein intake. Various factors affect tolerated Phe levels, including supplement quantity and age. Adhering to supplement regimens optimizes performance and addresses PKU challenges. Strategically-timed protein substitutes can safely enhance muscle synthesis and sports performance. Individualized intake is essential for optimal outcomes, recognizing proteins’ multifaceted role. Here, we explore protein substitute supplementation in PKU patients within the context of physical activity, considering limited evidence

Carbohydrate status in patients with phenylketonuria

Abstract Background In patients with phenylketonuria (PKU), a low-phenylalanine (Phe) diet supplemented with low-protein foods and a Phe-free amino acid mixture favors a dietary intake rich in carbohydrates, but little is known about how these molecules are metabolized in this setting. The objective of the present study was to analyze carbohydrate metabolism in patients with hyperphenylalaninemia. Methods We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study to investigate biochemical markers of basal and postprandial carbohydrate metabolism in PKU patients according to age, Phe tolerance, waist circumference and body mass index (BMI), diet, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) supplementation, and adherence to treatment. Basal biomarkers and anthropometric parameters were also evaluated in patients with mild hyperphenylalaninemia (MHPA) and in healthy controls. Results A total of 83 patients aged 4–52 years were studied; 68.7% had PKU and 31.3% had MHPA. 68 healthy controls of similar sex and age were also evaluated Metabolic control was adequate in 71.9% of PKU patients. Fasting glucose levels (mean 80.77 ± 8.06 mg/dL) were high in just one patient, but fasting insulin levels, with a mean of 12.74 ± 8.4 mIU/L, were altered in 15 PKU patients (26.3%) and markedly higher than in patients with MPHA (p = 0.035). Fasting insulin levels and Homeostasis Model Assessment Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) were significantly higher than in healthy controls and correlated with body mass index, waist circumference, age, and also showed statistically significant differences according to diagnosis and Phe tolerance (p < 0.05). Patients under BH4 therapy had lower insulin levels and HOMA-IR. A higher mean carbohydrate intake from AA mixtures was observed in classic PKU patients. The caloric intake in the form of carbohydrates was also higher in PKU than MHPA patients (p = 0.038) and it was correlated with basal insulin (rho = 0.468, p = 0.006), HOMA-IR (rho = 0.423, p = 0.02), BMI (rho 0.533, p = 0.002), and waist circumference (rho 0.584, p = 0.0007). Conclusions This study shows that PKU patients are at risk of carbohydrate intolerance and insulin resistance, more evident in adults and overweight patients, probably related to their higher caloric intake in form carbohydrate content. A higher dependency of AA mixtures was demonstrated in PKU patients

Additional file 1: of Lipid profile status and other related factors in patients with Hyperphenylalaninaemia

Characteristics of Hyperphenylalaninaemia patients with altered values of the biochemical parameters studied. (DOCX 85 kb

Evolution of tyrosinemia type 1 disease in patients treated with nitisinone in Spain.

Treatment with nitisinone (NTBC) has brought about a drastic improvement in the treatment and prognosis of hereditary tyrosinemia type I (HT1). We conducted a retrospective observational multicentric study in Spanish HT1 patients treated with NTBC to assess clinical and biochemical long-term evolution.We evaluated 52 patients, 7 adults and 45 children, treated with NTBC considering: age at diagnosis, diagnosis by clinical symptoms, or by newborn screening (NBS); phenotype (acute/subacute/chronic), mutational analysis; symptoms at diagnosis and clinical course; biochemical markers; doses of NTBC; treatment adherence; anthropometric evolution; and neurocognitive outcome.The average follow-up period was 6.1 ± 4.9 and 10.6 ± 5.4 years in patients with early and late diagnosis respectively. All patients received NTBC from diagnosis with an average dose of 0.82 mg/kg/d. All NBS-patients (n = 8) were asymptomatic at diagnosis except 1 case with acute liver failure, and all remain free of liver and renal disease in follow-up. Liver and renal affectation was markedly more frequent at diagnosis in patients with late diagnosis (P T.After NTBC treatment a reduction in tyrosine and alpha-fetoprotein levels was observed in all the study groups, significant for alpha-fetoprotein in no NBS-group (P = .03), especially in subacute/chronic forms (P = .018).This series confirms that NTBC treatment had clearly improved the prognosis and quality of life of HT1 patients, but it also shows frequent cognitive dysfunctions and learning difficulties in medium-term follow-up, and, in a novel way, a high percentage of overweight/obesity

Additional file 1: of Carbohydrate status in patients with phenylketonuria

Clinical and basal biochemical characteristics of each patient with hyperphenylalaninemia. (DOCX 48 kb