Parathyroid hormone treatment improves pain and fracture healing in adult hypophosphatasia

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2010 Dec;95(12):5174-9. doi: 10.1210/jc.2010-1168. Epub 2010 Aug 25.

Abstract

Introduction: Adult hypophosphatasia (HPP) is characterized by low serum alkaline phosphatase (S-ALP) and poorly healing fractures due to ALPL gene mutations. Increased S-ALP and fracture repair were reported in two patients treated with teriparatide, PTH 1-34. The effects of full-length PTH 1-84 have not been studied.

Methods: Two 56- and 64-yr-old sisters (patients 1 and 2) with HPP and with long-standing, painful femur fractures received PTH 1-84 (Preotact, 100 μg/d sc) for 7 and 18 months, respectively. Patient 1 had another treatment 8 months later because of new femur fractures. We characterized the underlying mutation(s) and treatment effects according to S-ALP, bone markers, serum ionized calcium, plasma phosphate (P-Pi), pain, mobility, and fracture healing.

Results: Both patients were compound heterozygotes for a p.G339R and p.E191K ALPL mutation. S-ALP increased significantly, 4.9- and 6.8-fold in patient 1 and 2.7-fold in patient 2. Responses decreased at 6 months but remained higher than basal activity. Serum N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen and urinary N-telopeptide of type I collagen increased 14- to 19-fold and 9-5-fold in patient 1, respectively, and 9- and 3-fold in patient 2. P-Pi fluctuated in patient 1 and increased in patient 2. Pain and mobility improved promptly. Fractures healed after 7-8 months of treatment in patient 1 and at 15 months in patient 2.

Conclusion: PTH 1-84 improves pain, mobility, and fracture repair in adult HPP, even after repeat treatment. Residual activity of the p.E191K ALPL gene mutation could explain why PTH can stimulate S-ALP. P-Pi concentrations may modulate the response.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkaline Phosphatase / genetics
  • Female
  • Femoral Fractures / surgery
  • Fractures, Bone / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hypophosphatasia / complications
  • Hypophosphatasia / drug therapy*
  • Hypophosphatasia / genetics
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain / drug therapy
  • Pain / etiology
  • Parathyroid Hormone / therapeutic use*
  • Siblings
  • Wound Healing

Substances

  • Parathyroid Hormone
  • ALPL protein, human
  • Alkaline Phosphatase