Enzyme replacement therapies (ERTs) approved for Fabry disease require infusions every 2 weeks (E2W). Pegunigalsidase alfa, a PEGylated ERT with a prolonged half-life vs. other ERTs, may allow extension of the dosing interval to every 4 weeks (E4W). BRIGHT F51 (NCT03614234) is an ongoing phase III, open-label extension study evaluating long-term efficacy and safety of pegunigalsidase alfa 2 mg/kg E4W in adults with Fabry disease previously treated with agalsidase alfa or beta E2W for ≥ 3 years who completed one year of pegunigalsidase alfa treatment in the BRIGHT study. This interim analysis reports results following 3–5 years of treatment (cutoff date December 31, 2022). Twenty-nine patients were enrolled. Median (interquartile range [IQR]) annualized eGFR slope during treatment was ‒2.2 (‒2.9; ‒1.1) mL/min/1.73 m2/year (males: ‒2.4 [‒2.9; ‒1.0, n = 23]; females: ‒1.8 [‒2.4; ‒1.3, n = 6]; anti-drug antibody [ADA]-positive: ‒2.6 [‒4.0; ‒1.7, n = 9 all male]; ADA-negative: ‒1.8 [‒2.7; ‒0.6, n = 20]). Median (IQR) change in plasma lyso-Gb3 from baseline to Week 208 was 3.2 (‒3.9; 8.5, n = 17) nM in males; concentrations remained low and stable in females. Overall, 51/477 treatment-emergent adverse events in 13 patients (45

Background Pegunigalsidase alfa is a PEGylated α-galactosidase A enzyme replacement therapy. BALANCE (NCT02795676) assessed non-inferiority of pegunigalsidase alfa versus agalsidase beta in adults with Fabry disease with an annualised estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope more negative than −2 mL/min/1.73 m2/year who had received agalsidase beta for ≥1 year. Methods Patients were randomly assigned 2:1 to receive 1 mg/kg pegunigalsidase alfa or agalsidase beta every 2 weeks for 2 years. The primary efficacy analysis assessed non-inferiority based on median annualised eGFR slope differences between treatment arms. Results Seventy-seven patients received either pegunigalsidase alfa (n=52) or agalsidase beta (n=25). At baseline, mean (range) age was 44 (18–60) years, 47 (61%) patients were male, median eGFR was 74.5 mL/min/1.73 m2 and median (range) eGFR slope was −7.3 (−30.5, 6.3) mL/min/1.73 m2/year. At 2 years, the difference between median eGFR slopes was −0.36 mL/min/1.73 m2/year, meeting the prespecified non-inferiority margin. Minimal changes were observed in lyso-Gb3 concentrations in both treatment arms at 2 years. Proportions of patients experiencing treatment-related adverse events and mild or moderate infusion-related reactions were similar in both groups, yet exposure-adjusted rates were 3.6-fold and 7.8-fold higher, respectively, with agalsidase beta than pegunigalsidase alfa. At the end of the study, neutralising antibodies were detected in 7 out of 47 (15%) pegunigalsidase alfa-treated patients and 6 out of 23 (26%) agalsidase beta-treated patients. There were no deaths. Conclusions Based on rate of eGFR decline over 2 years, pegunigalsidase alfa was non-inferior to agalsidase beta. Pegunigalsidase alfa had lower rates of treatment-emergent adverse events and mild or moderate infusion-related reactions. Trial registration number NCT02795676.

Pegunigalsidase alfa, a PEGylated α-galactosidase A enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for Fabry disease, has a longer plasma half-life than other ERTs administered intravenously every 2 weeks (E2W). BRIGHT (NCT03180840) was a phase III, open-label study in adults with Fabry disease, previously treated with agalsidase alfa or beta E2W for ≥3 years, who switched to 2 mg/kg pegunigalsidase alfa every 4 weeks (E4W) for 52 weeks. Primary objective assessed safety, including number of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Thirty patients were enrolled (24 males); 23 previously received agalsidase beta. Pegunigalsidase alfa plasma concentrations remained above the lower limit of quantification throughout the 4-week dosing interval. Thirty-three of 182 TEAEs (in 9 patients) were considered treatment-related; all were mild/moderate. No patients developed de novo anti-drug antibodies (ADAs). In the efficacy analysis (n = 29), median (inter-quartile range) eGFR change from baseline over 52 weeks was -1.9 (-5.9; 1.8) mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 28; males [n = 22]: -2.4 [-5.2; 3.2]; females [n = 6]: -0.7 [-9.2; 2.0]). Overall, median eGFR slope was -1.9 (-8.3; 1.9) mL/min/1.73 m2/year (ADA-negative [n = 20]: -1.2 [-6.4; 2.6]; ADA-positive [n = 9]: -8.4 [-11.6; -1.0]). Lyso-Gb3 concentrations were low and stable in females, with a slight increase in males (9/24 ADA-positive). The BRIGHT study results suggest that 2 mg/kg pegunigalsidase alfa E4W is tolerated well in stable adult patients with Fabry disease. Due to the low number of patients in this study, more research is needed to demonstrate the effects of pegunigalsidase alfa given E4W. Further evidence, outside of this clinical trial, should be factored in for physicians to prolong the biweekly ERT intervals to E4W. TAKE-HOME MESSAGE: Treatment with 2 mg/kg pegunigalsidase alfa every 4 weeks could offer a new treatment option for patients with Fabry disease.

The specific features of the microstructure of multicomponent solid solutions, based on relaxor ferroelectrics both unmodified and modified by barium, were observed. A reduction of tetragonal distortion in the unit cell in ceramics containing Ba, as well as an increase in the size of its crystallites (which is a consequence of this reduction), facilitates domain reorientation owing to an increase in their mobility. This is the main reason for the sharp increase in the relative permittivity εT33/ε0 of the poled samples of modified ceramics, and the variations of some parameters that characterize the piezoelectric response.

Fabry disease stems from a deficiency of alpha-galactosidase and results in the accumulation of globotriaosylceramide (Gb3). However, the production of its deacylated form globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb3) is also observed and its plasma levels have closer association with disease severity. Studies have shown that lyso-Gb3 directly affects podocytes and causes sensitisation of peripheral nociceptive neurons. However, little is understood of the mechanisms of this cytotoxicity. To study the effect on neuronal cells, we incubated SH-Sy5y cells with lyso-Gb3 at low (20 ng/mL) and high (200 ng/mL) levels, to mimic mild and classical FD serum levels. We used glucosylsphingosine as a positive control to determine specific effects of lyso-Gb3. Proteomic analyses revealed that cellular systems affected by lyso-Gb3 included cell signalling particularly protein ubiquitination and protein translation. To confirm ER/proteasome perturbations, we performed an immune enrichment of ubiquitinated proteins and demonstrated specific increased protein ubiquitination at both doses. The most ubiquitinated proteins observed included the chaperone/heat shock proteins, cytoskeletal proteins and synthesis/translation proteins. To detect proteins that interact directly with lyso-Gb3, we immobilised lyso-lipids, then incubated them with neuronal cellular extracts and identified bound proteins using mass spectrometry. Proteins that specifically bound were chaperones and included HSP90, HSP60 and the TRiC complex. In conclusion, lyso-Gb3 exposure affects pathways involved in protein translation and folding. This response is observed as increased ubiquitination and changes in signalling proteins which may explain the multiple biological processes, particularly cellular remodelling, often associated with FD.

Purpose: Racial disparities in heart failure morbidity and mortality are well established.We set out to examine whether these disparities are modified by age or not.We assessed age specific heart failure related mortality rates among persons in the age groups 65-74 and 75-84 years.Methods: We queried the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's WideÀRanging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (1999-2020) for all deaths with heart failure (ICD10 code I50) listed among multiple cause of death.Race specific age adjusted mortality rates for Non-Hispanic Whites and Non-Hispanic Blacks were obtained.Trends are shown on graph and mortality rates compared using likelihood ratio test with p values <0.05 considered statistically significant.All analysis was done using STATA V17.Results: In persons less than 75 years, African Americans (AA) consistently had higher age specific mortality rates compared to Whites, p<0.001.For persons 75-84years, mortality rate was comparable for both whites and AA from 1999 through 2012, followed by separation with AA bearing higher mortality rates compared to their white counterparts.Conclusion: African Americans, with highest AAMR, die significantly at younger ages compared to NH Whites.This represents a double burden as NH Blacks not only have higher AAMR but also die at significantly younger ages than their NH Whites counterparts.We recommend heightened efforts aimed at curbing this gap.

Rationale & Objective: Little information exists on the incidence of and risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in contemporary US co-horts and whether risk factors differ by race, sex, or region in the United States.Study Design: Observational cohort study.Setting & Participants: 4,198 Black and 7,799 White participants aged at least 45 years, recruited from 2003 through 2007 across the continental United States, with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and eGFR assessed again approximately 9 years later.Exposures: Age, sex, race (Black or White), re-gion ("stroke belt" or other), education, income, systolic blood pressure, body mass index, dia-betes, coronary heart disease, hyperlipidemia, smoking, and albuminuria.Outcomes: (1) eGFR change and (2) incident CKD defined as eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 and & GE;40% decrease from baseline or kidney failure.Analytical Approach: Linear regression and modified Poisson regression were used to determine the association of risk factors with eGFR change and incident CKD overall and stratified by race, sex, and region.Results: Mean age of participants was 63 & PLUSMN; 8 (SD) years, 54% were female, and 35% were Black. After 9.4 & PLUSMN; 1.0 years of follow-up, CKD developed in 9%. In an age-, sex-, and race-adjusted model, Black race ([3 = -0.13; P < 0.001) was associated with higher risk of eGFR change, but this was attenuated in the fully adjusted model ([3 = 0.02; P = 0.5). Stroke belt residence was independently associated with eGFR change ([3 = -0.10; P < 0.001) and incident CKD (relative risk, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.01-1.30]). Albuminuria was more strongly associated with eGFR change ([3 of -0.26 vs -0.17; P = 0.01 for interaction) in Black compared with White participants. Results were similar for incident CKD.Limitations: Persons of Hispanic ethnicity were excluded; unknown duration and/or severity of risk factors.Conclusions: Established CKD risk factors accounted for higher risk of incident CKD in Black versus White individuals. Albuminuria was a stronger risk factor for eGFR decrease and inci-dent CKD in Black compared with White in-dividuals. Living in the US stroke belt is a novel risk factor for CKD.

Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T)-cell, an adaptive immune therapy is approved for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Its use and subsequent toxicities are expected to rise in the coming years. The main toxicities are cytokine release syndrome, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and immune effector cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome. Cytokine release syndrome is observed in up to 40% of patients. Almost 20% of patient suffer from acute kidney injury after CAR-T cell infusion. Associated factors are high-grade cytokine release syndrome, a prior autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation andrequirement of intensive care unit. Several mechanisms may contribute to the occurrence of acute kidney injury after CAR-T infusion: hypoperfusion during cytokine release syndrome, cytokine injury, T cell infiltration, tumor lysis syndrome and sepsis-induced injury. Kidney injury is associated with substantial increase in morbi-mortality.

Background Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disease caused by mutations in the α-galactosidase A gene ( GLA ) leading to deficiency of α-galactosidase A and ultimately in progressive glycosphingolipid accumulation, especially globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) and its deacylated derivative globotriaosylsphingosine (Lyso-Gb3). The aim of the study was to assess plasma Lyso-Gb3 levels as a possible factor associated with adverse outcomes in FD. Methods In a cohort of 66 patients with genetically confirmed FD (26 males and 40 females), we analysed serum Lyso-Gb3 as a factor associated with adverse clinical outcomes in a long-term study. The main outcome was a composite endpoint of incident kidney replacement therapy, atrial fibrillation, pacemaker and/or implantable cardioverter defibrillator, cerebrovascular events or death, whichever occurred first. Results During the median follow-up time of 68 (40–80) months, events occurred in 19 (29%) of the patients. In a Cox multivariate regression analysis, Lyso-Gb3 levels (HR 4.62 (1.55 to 13.81); p=0.006) and the pretreatment exposure to Lyso-Gb3 (HR 3.41 (1.11 to 10.49); p=0.03) (both per SD increase) were significantly associated with adverse outcomes. If pretreatment Lyso-Gb3 exposure was added to multivariable logistic regression models containing age, sex, phenotype and enzyme replacement therapy as other covariates with the composite outcome as dependent variable, the area under the curve for the composite outcome significantly improved from 0.72 to 0.86 (p comparison=0.04). Conclusion Lyso-Gb3 is a significant risk factor associated with important clinical events. Whether treatment-related amelioration of Lyso-Gb3 levels will be associated with improved long-term outcome needs to be established in prospective intervention trials.

The use of available treatments for Fabry disease (FD) (including enzyme replacement therapy [ERT]) may be restricted by their limited symptom improvement and mode of administration. Lucerastat is currently being investigated in the MODIFY study as oral substrate reduction therapy for the treatment of FD. By reducing the net globotriaosylceramide (Gb3) load in tissues, lucerastat has disease-modifying potential to improve symptoms and delay disease progression. MODIFY is a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group Phase 3 study (ClinicalTrial.gov: NCT03425539); here we present the rationale and design of this study. Eligible adults with a genetically confirmed diagnosis of FD and FD-specific neuropathic pain entered screening. Patients were randomized (2:1) to receive either oral lucerastat twice daily or placebo for 6 months; treatment allocation was stratified according to sex and ERT treatment status. The main objectives of MODIFY are to assess the effects of lucerastat on neuropathic pain, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, FD biomarkers, and determine its safety and tolerability. Neuropathic pain and GI symptoms are key features of FD that have a significant impact on quality of life. Despite various tools available to assess pain and GI symptoms, there are currently limited tools available to assess neuropathic and GI symptoms in FD, validated according to health authority guidelines. Based on FDA recommendations, we undertook a patient-reported outcome (PRO) validation study, using a novel eDiary-based PRO tool to assess the validity of evaluating neuropathic pain as a primary efficacy endpoint in MODIFY. Results from the PRO validation study are included. To date, MODIFY is the largest Phase 3 clinical study conducted in patients with FD. Enrollment to MODIFY is now complete, with 118 patients randomized. Results will be presented in a separate publication. Long-term effects of lucerastat are being assessed in the ongoing open-label extension study (NCT03737214).

Fabry disease is a rare genetic disorder caused by reduced or absent activity of the lysosomal enzyme α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A), which leads to the accumulation of potentially harmful sphingolipids, including globotriaosylceramide (Gb3 and globotriaosylsphingosine [lyso-Gb3]). This glycosphingolipid accumulation leads to organ dysfunction that primarily affects the kidneys, heart, and nervous system. Pegunigalsidase alfa is a novel, PEGylated, α-Gal A enzyme in development for the treatment of Fabry disease, which offers an increased half-life compared with current enzyme replacement therapies (ERTs).