Browsing by Author "Coelho, T."
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- Advances in the treatment of hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis: A reviewPublication . Gertz, M.; Mauermann, M.; Grogan, M.; Coelho, T.Introduction: Amyloid transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is a progressive and often fatal disease caused by the buildup of mutated (hereditary ATTR [hATTR]; also known as ATTR variant [ATTRv]) or normal transthyretin (wild-type ATTR) throughout the body. Two new therapies-inotersen, an antisense oligonucleotide therapy, and patisiran, an RNA interference therapy-received marketing authorization and represent a significant advance in the treatment of amyloidosis. Herein, we describe the clinical presentation of ATTR, commonly used procedures in its diagnosis, and current treatment landscape for ATTR, with a focus on hATTR. Methods: A PubMed search from 2008 to September 2018 was conducted to review the literature on ATTR. Results: Until recently, there have been few treatment options for polyneuropathy of hATTR. Inotersen and patisiran substantially reduce the amyloidogenic precursor protein transthyretin and have demonstrated efficacy in patients with early- and late-stage disease and in slowing or improving neuropathy progression. In contrast, established therapies, such as liver transplantation, typically reserved for patients with early-stage disease, and tafamidis, indicated for the treatment of early-stage disease in Europe, or diflunisal, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used off-label, are associated with side effects and/or unclear efficacy in certain patient populations. Thus, inotersen and patisiran are positioned to be the preferred therapeutic modalities. Conclusions: Important differences between inotersen and patisiran, including formulation, dosing, requirements for premedications, and safety monitoring, require an understanding and knowledge of each treatment for informed decision making.
- Combined Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation: A New Program in Portugal, Results From the First 12 CasesPublication . Martins, L.; Henriques, A.; Dias, L.; Ventura, A.; Seca, R.; Almeida, R.; Dores, J.; Bacelar, C.; Oliveira, F.; Lhamas, A.; Amil, M.; Rua, F.; Coelho, T.; Esteves, S.; Ribeiro, A.; Pereira, R.; Sarmento, A.; Teixeira, M.; Pereira, M.Transplant Proc. 2003 May;35(3):1107-8. Combined pancreas-kidney transplantation: a new program in Portugal, results from the first 12 cases. Martins L, Henriques A, Dias L, Ventura A, Seca R, Almeida R, Dores J, Bacelar C, Oliveira F, Lhamas A, Amil M, Rua F, Coelho T, Esteves S, Ribeiro A, Pereira R, Sarmento A, Teixeira M, Pereira M. Transplantation Department, Hospital Santo António, 4050, Porto, Portugal. lasalete@clix.pt PMID: 12947877 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
- Corino de Andrade disease: mechanisms and impact on reproductionPublication . Lopes, R.; Coelho, T.; Barros, A.; Sousa, M.Familial amyloid polyneuropathy was first described by Corino de Andrade in 1952 in Northern Portugal. It is a fatal autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progression of neurologic symptoms, beginning early in the reproductive life. The Transthyretin gene mutation originates a mutated protein that precipitates in the connective tissue as amyloid deposits. This disease is presently named Transthyretin-related hereditary amyloidosis. We performed an extensive review on this disease based on searches in Medical databases and in paper references. In this review, we briefly summarize the epidemiology and the mechanisms involved on amyloid deposition; we detailed how to evaluate the mechanisms implicated on the development of the major signs and symptoms associated with reproductive dysfunction; and we discuss the mechanisms involved in secondary sexual dysfunction after psychological treatments. Treatment of the disease is directed towards relieving specific symptoms in association with liver transplant, and molecular and genetic therapeutics. Although the current clinical trials indicate symptoms relief, no data on the reproductive function was reported. Thus, preimplantation genetic diagnosis is presently the only available technique that eradicates the disease as it avoids the birth of new patients.
- Early data on long‐term efficacy and safety of inotersen in patients with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis: a 2‐year update from the open‐label extension of the NEURO‐TTR trialPublication . Brannagan, T. H.; Wang, A. K.; Coelho, T.; Waddington Cruz, M.; Polydefkis, M. J.; Dyck, P. J.; Plante‐Bordeneuve, V.; Berk, J. L.; Barroso, F.; Merlini, G.; Conceição, I.; Hughes, S. G.; Kwoh, J.; Jung, S. W.; Guthrie, S.; Pollock, M.; Benson, M. D.; Gertz, M.; Drachman, Brian; Gorevic, Peter; Heitner, Stephen; Scheinberg, Morton; Schmidt, Hartmut; Whelan, Carol; Adams, David; Campistol Plana, Josep Maria; Gamez, Josep; Gane, Edward; Kristen, Arnt; Obici, Laura; Salvi, Fabrizio; Souza Bulle Oliveira, Acary; Vita, GiuseppeBackground and purpose: Hereditary transthyretin (hATTR) amyloidosis causes progressive polyneuropathy resulting from transthyretin (TTR) amyloid deposition throughout the body, including the peripheral nerves. The efficacy and safety of inotersen, an antisense oligonucleotide inhibitor of TTR protein production, were demonstrated in the pivotal NEURO-TTR study in patients with hATTR polyneuropathy. Here, the long-term efficacy and safety of inotersen are assessed in an ongoing open-label extension (OLE) study. Methods: Patients who completed NEURO-TTR were eligible to enroll in the OLE (NCT02175004). Efficacy assessments included the modified Neuropathy Impairment Score plus seven neurophysiological tests composite score (mNIS + 7), the Norfolk Quality of Life - Diabetic Neuropathy (Norfolk QOL-DN) questionnaire total score and the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) Physical Component Summary (PCS) score. Safety and tolerability were also assessed. Results: Overall, 97% (135/139) of patients who completed NEURO-TTR enrolled in the OLE. Patients who received inotersen for 39 cumulative months in NEURO-TTR and the OLE continued to show benefit; patients who switched from placebo to inotersen in the OLE demonstrated improvement or stabilization of neurological disease progression by mNIS + 7, Norfolk QOL-DN and SF-36 PCS. No new safety concerns were identified. There was no evidence of increased risk for grade 4 thrombocytopenia or severe renal events with increased duration of inotersen exposure. Conclusion: Inotersen slowed disease progression and reduced deterioration of quality of life in patients with hATTR polyneuropathy. Early treatment with inotersen resulted in greater long-term disease stabilization than delayed initiation. Routine platelet and renal safety monitoring were effective; no new safety signals were observed.
- Efficacy and safety of patisiran for familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy: a phase II multi-dose studyPublication . Suhr, O.; Coelho, T.; Buades, J.; Pouget, J.; Conceicao, I.; Berk, J.; Schmidt, H.; Waddington-Cruz, M.; Campistol, J.; Bettencourt, B.; Vaishnaw, A.; Gollob, J.; Adams, D.BACKGROUND: Transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis is an inherited, progressively debilitating disease caused by mutations in the transthyretin gene. This study evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of multiple doses of patisiran (ALN-TTR02), a small interfering RNA encapsulated within lipid nanoparticles, in patients with transthyretin-mediated familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP).
- Exonization of an Intronic LINE-1 Element Causing Becker Muscular Dystrophy as a Novel Mutational Mechanism in Dystrophin GenePublication . Gonçalves, A.; Oliveira, J.; Coelho, T.; Taipa, R.; Melo-Pires, M.; Sousa, M.; Santos, R.A broad mutational spectrum in the dystrophin (DMD) gene, from large deletions/duplications to point mutations, causes Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (D/BMD). Comprehensive genotyping is particularly relevant considering the mutation-centered therapies for dystrophinopathies. We report the genetic characterization of a patient with disease onset at age 13 years, elevated creatine kinase levels and reduced dystrophin labeling, where multiplex-ligation probe amplification (MLPA) and genomic sequencing failed to detect pathogenic variants. Bioinformatic, transcriptomic (real time PCR, RT-PCR), and genomic approaches (Southern blot, long-range PCR, and single molecule real-time sequencing) were used to characterize the mutation. An aberrant transcript was identified, containing a 103-nucleotide insertion between exons 51 and 52, with no similarity with the DMD gene. This corresponded to the partial exonization of a long interspersed nuclear element (LINE-1), disrupting the open reading frame. Further characterization identified a complete LINE-1 (~6 kb with typical hallmarks) deeply inserted in intron 51. Haplotyping and segregation analysis demonstrated that the mutation had a de novo origin. Besides underscoring the importance of mRNA studies in genetically unsolved cases, this is the first report of a disease-causing fully intronic LINE-1 element in DMD, adding to the diversity of mutational events that give rise to D/BMD.
- Familial amyloid polyneuropathy in Portugal: New genes modulating age-at-onsetPublication . Santos, D.; Coelho, T.; Alves-Ferreira, M.; Sequeiros, J.; Mendonça, D.; Alonso, I.; Lemos, C.; Sousa, A.OBJECTIVES: Familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP ATTRV30M) shows a wide variation in age-at-onset (AO) between clusters, families, and among generations. We will now explore some candidate genes involved in altered disease pathways in order to assess their role as genetic modifiers of AO, using a family-centered approach. METHODS: We analyzed 62 tagging SNPs from nine genes-NGAL,MMP-9,BGN,MEK1,MEK2,ERK1,ERK2,HSP27, and YWHAZ - in a sample of 318 V30M Portuguese patients (106 families), currently under follow-up. A generalized estimating equation analysis was used to take into account nonindependency of AO between relatives. Also, an in silico analysis was performed in order to assess the functional impact of significant variants associated with AO. RESULTS: We found for the first time variants from six genes (NGAL,BGN (in the female group), MEK1,MEK2,HSP27, and YWHAZ) that were significantly associated with early- and/or late-onset. Then, we confirmed a strong synergistic interaction between NGAL and MMP-9 genes. Additionally, by an in silico analysis, we found some variants for MEK1 gene that may alter binding of the transcription factors and that influence the regulation of gene expression regarding microRNA binding sites and splicing regulatory factors. INTERPRETATION: These findings showed that different genetic factors can modulate differently the onset of disease's symptoms and revealed new mechanisms with clinical implications in the genetic counseling and follow-up of mutation carriers and could contribute for development of potential therapeutical targets.
- Guideline of transthyretin-related hereditary amyloidosis for cliniciansPublication . Ando, Y.; Coelho, T.; Berk, J.; Cruz, M.; Ericzon, B.; Ikeda, S.; Lewis, W.; Obici, L.; Planté-Bordeneuve, V.; Rapezzi, C.; Said, G.; Salvi, F.Transthyretin amyloidosis is a progressive and eventually fatal disease primarily characterized by sensory, motor, and autonomic neuropathy and/or cardiomyopathy. Given its phenotypic unpredictability and variability, transthyretin amyloidosis can be difficult to recognize and manage. Misdiagnosis is common, and patients may wait several years before accurate diagnosis, risking additional significant irreversible deterioration. This article aims to help physicians better understand transthyretin amyloidosis—and, specifically, familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy—so they can recognize and manage the disease more easily and discuss it with their patients. We provide guidance on making a definitive diagnosis, explain methods for disease staging and evaluation of disease progression, and discuss symptom mitigation and treatment strategies, including liver transplant and several pharmacyotherapies that have shown promise in clinical trials.
- Long-term effects of tafamidis for the treatment of transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathyPublication . Coelho, T.; Maia, L.; Martins-Silva, A.; Cruz, M.; Planté-Bordeneuve, V.; Suhr, O.; Conceição, I.; Schmidt, H.; Trigo, P.; Kelly, J.; Labaudinière, R.; Chan, J.; Packman, J.; Grogan, D.Tafamidis, a transthyretin (TTR) kinetic stabilizer, delayed neuropathic progression in patients with Val30Met TTR familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP) in an 18-month randomized controlled trial (study Fx-005). This 12-month, open-label extension study evaluated the long-term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of tafamidis 20 mg once daily in 86 patients who earlier received blinded treatment with tafamidis or placebo. Efficacy measures included the Neuropathy Impairment Score in the Lower Limbs (NIS-LL), Norfolk Quality of Life-Diabetic Neuropathy total quality of life (TQOL) score, and changes in neurologic function and nutritional status. We quantified the monthly rates of change in efficacy measures, and TTR stabilization, and monitored adverse events (AEs). Patients who continued on tafamidis had stable rates of change in NIS-LL (from 0.08 to 0.11/month; p = 0.60) and TQOL (from -0.03 to 0.25; p = 0.16). In patients switched from placebo, the monthly rate of change in NIS-LL declined (from 0.34 to 0.16/month; p = 0.01), as did TQOL score (from 0.61 to -0.16; p < 0.001). Patients treated with tafamidis for 30 months had 55.9 % greater preservation of neurologic function as measured by the NIS-LL than patients in whom tafamidis was initiated later. Plasma TTR was stabilized in 94.1 % of patients treated with tafamidis for 30 months. AEs were similar between groups; no patients discontinued because of an AE. Long-term tafamidis was well tolerated, with the reduced rate of neurologic deterioration sustained over 30 months. Tafamidis also slowed neurologic impairment in patients previously given placebo, but treatment benefits were greater when tafamidis was begun earlier.
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