Long-term bone mineral density response to enzyme replacement therapy in a retrospective pediatric cohort of Gaucher patients

J Inherit Metab Dis. 2012 Nov;35(6):1101-6. doi: 10.1007/s10545-012-9476-z. Epub 2012 Mar 23.

Abstract

Osteopenia is described as a relevant sign of bone involvement in Gaucher disease (GD) both in pediatric and adult patients. Furthermore, abnormal bone metabolism is considered to play a role in growth and pubertal delay. To analyze the long-term effect of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) on bone mineral density (BMD), a retrospective observational study was conducted in a cohort of 18 GD pediatric patients (13 males, 5 females; median age 9.2 years). They received biweekly infusions of 20-60 IU/kg of alglucerase/imiglucerase. Clinical, laboratory and imaging parameters were evaluated every 2 years. According to the International Society of Clinical Densitometry guidelines, a Z-score ≤ -2.0 was considered pathological. Nine patients (group P0) began ERT during infancy and nine (group P1) during puberty. At baseline, in three patients (16.6 %; 1P0, 2P1) Z-score was ≤ -2.0 (range -2.47 to -2.25). In patient P0 it normalized after 2 years, while in the 2P1 patients (splenectomized siblings) it persisted abnormal. The remaining 15 patients (83.4 %) always presented a normal value. In group P0, Z-score improved in infancy but showed a significant decrease during puberty, on the contrary it constantly improved in group P1. Furthermore, at baseline group P0 showed a higher median Z-score than group P1: 0.79 (0.38; 1.50) and -1.61 (-2.25; -1.56) respectively. The use of correct BMD standards to interpret bone loss during pediatric age suggests a limited significance of bone loss in these patients. Moreover, the persistence of residual disease activity may affect normal bone growth during puberty in GD populations.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bone Density / drug effects*
  • Bone Diseases, Metabolic / drug therapy
  • Bone Diseases, Metabolic / etiology
  • Bone Diseases, Metabolic / metabolism
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Enzyme Replacement Therapy*
  • Female
  • Gaucher Disease / complications
  • Gaucher Disease / drug therapy*
  • Gaucher Disease / metabolism*
  • Glucosylceramidase / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • alglucerase
  • Glucosylceramidase
  • imiglucerase