Replacement therapy with imiglucerase for type 1 Gaucher's disease

Lancet. 1995 Jun 10;345(8963):1479-80. doi: 10.1016/s0140-6736(95)91038-7.

Abstract

Gaucher's disease, the most common sphingolipidosis, is caused by deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase. Therapy with alglucerase (the placental enzyme) is safe and effective at various dosing regimens. We report the use of low-dose imiglucerase (the recombinant enzyme) at two dosing schedules: 15 u/kg once fortnightly or 2.5 u/kg thrice weekly. Mean reductions in spleen and liver volumes achieved (in all ten patients) by imiglucerase at 12 months were 36.4% and 14.5%, respectively; mean increase in haemoglobin and platelet counts were 13.4% and 25.7%. There were no serious side-effects. No significant differences were observed between the two schedules. Low-dose low-frequency imiglucerase may be an alternative cost-effective approach with satisfactory clinical response and uncompromised quality of life.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Gaucher Disease / blood
  • Gaucher Disease / drug therapy*
  • Glucosylceramidase / administration & dosage*
  • Glucosylceramidase / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Liver / anatomy & histology
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Spleen / anatomy & histology
  • Spleen / drug effects
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Glucosylceramidase
  • imiglucerase