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Metachromatic leukodystrophy: an overview of current and prospective treatments

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 42, pages S2–S6 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Nowadays, different treatment options are available for an extending list of lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs). Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can benefit selected subsets of patients with some LSDs, but results have been poor in several other disorders, including metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), outlining the need for innovative therapeutic approaches in this field. Enzyme replacement therapy has been developed recently for MLD, and a Phase I/II trial is ongoing. However, the blood-brain barrier limits the access of the recombinant product to the nervous tissues. Autologous hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells can be genetically modified to constitutively express supra-physiological levels of arylsulfatase-A and may become a quantitatively more effective source of functional enzyme than normal donor cells when transplanted in patients with MLD, thus possibly overcoming the limits of HSCT. Moreover, autologous transplantation might be associated with a significantly reduced transplant-related morbidity and TRM avoiding the risk of GVHD. Therefore, such a gene therapy strategy could represent a significant advance in comparison to conventional allogeneic HSCT.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy

    A Biffi & M Sessa

  2. Pediatric Department of Milano-Bicocca University, BMT Unit, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy

    G Lucchini & A Rovelli

  3. Department of Neurology, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy

    M Sessa

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  1. A Biffi
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  2. G Lucchini
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  3. A Rovelli
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  4. M Sessa
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Correspondence to A Rovelli.

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Biffi, A., Lucchini, G., Rovelli, A. et al. Metachromatic leukodystrophy: an overview of current and prospective treatments. Bone Marrow Transplant 42 (Suppl 2), S2–S6 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/bmt.2008.275

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