[SOD1 gene therapy delays ALS disease progression]

Lakartidningen. 2024 Apr 26:121:24044.
[Article in Swedish]

Abstract

We present a patient with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis caused by an aggressive A4S mutation in the SOD1 gene. In 2020, the patient was enrolled in the VALOR SOD1 gene therapy phase-3 trial. At screening, the ALSFRS-R score was 41 (48 is normal) and the level of CSF-neurofilament L (an indicator of ongoing neuronal damage) was 11 000 ng/L (ref <650 ng/L). In the four years following enrollment, the patient received monthly intrathecal treatment with tofersen, an antisense oligonucleotide compound that inhibits SOD1 protein expression and hence lowers the synthesis of toxic SOD1 protein species. Side effects have been minimal and mostly attributed to the spinal taps. The patient remains ambulatory with an active social lifestyle. The ALSFRS-R score has in the past 18 months stabilized around 35-37, CSF-NfL is 1 290 ng/L and plasma-NfL is 12 (reference <13). This is the first documented arresting intervention in a patient with ALS in Sweden.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis* / drug therapy
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis* / genetics
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis* / therapy
  • Disease Progression*
  • Genetic Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation
  • Oligonucleotides / administration & dosage
  • Oligonucleotides / therapeutic use
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense / administration & dosage
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense / therapeutic use
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1* / genetics

Substances

  • Superoxide Dismutase-1
  • SOD1 protein, human
  • Oligonucleotides, Antisense
  • Oligonucleotides