Maintenance Efficacy of Low Dose Imiglucerase for Gaucher Disease

Abstract Background Imiglucerase is the recommended treatment for Gaucher disease (GD), a hereditary metabolic disease. In high risk adults and all children, the minimum recommended dose for long-term maintenance is 30 U/kg/2 weeks. However, the extremely high cost of this enzyme largely hinders its clinical use. The minimal maintenance dose of imiglucerase has thus been a subject of debate. We aimed to analyze the long-term maintenance outcomes of imiglucerase at dosage < 20 U/kg/2 weeks after standard dose. Methods Seventeen patients with GD type 1 or GD type 3 were enrolled for analysis. We evaluated maintenance efficacy of imiglucerase on hemoglobin, platelet, visceral volumes and bone conditions during the 7-year follow-up. Results Parameters on hemoglobin, platelet, liver, and spleen volumes of all patients were stabilized or improved. Seven out of 14 patients showed bone mineral density improvement. Three out of 16 patients showed worse bone pain; 6 out of 15 patients showed worse Erlenmeyer flask; 6 out of 15 patients showed worse bone infarction; 1 out of 16 patients showed worse marrow infiltration and 3 out of 15 patients showed worse osteonecrosis. Conclusions Imiglucerase less than 20 U/kg/2 weeks is enough to maintain blood and visceral parameters, but is not sufficient to stabilize skeletal conditions.