Long-term evaluation of a phase 1 study of AADC gene therapy for Parkinson's disease

G Mittermeyer, CW Christine, KH Rosenbluth… - Human gene …, 2012 - liebertpub.com
G Mittermeyer, CW Christine, KH Rosenbluth, SL Baker, P Starr, P Larson, PL Kaplan…
Human gene therapy, 2012liebertpub.com
We report the results of a long-term follow-up of subjects in a phase 1 study of AAV2-hAADC
(adeno-associated virus type 2–human aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase) gene therapy
for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Ten patients with moderately advanced PD
received bilateral putaminal infusions of either a low or a high dose of AAV2-hAADC vector.
An annual positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with [18F] fluoro-lm-tyrosine tracer
was used for evaluation of AADC expression, and a standard clinical rating scale [Unified …
Abstract
We report the results of a long-term follow-up of subjects in a phase 1 study of AAV2-hAADC (adeno-associated virus type 2–human aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase) gene therapy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Ten patients with moderately advanced PD received bilateral putaminal infusions of either a low or a high dose of AAV2-hAADC vector. An annual positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with [18F]fluoro-L-m-tyrosine tracer was used for evaluation of AADC expression, and a standard clinical rating scale [Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)] was used to assess effect. Our previous analysis of the 6-month data suggested that this treatment was acutely safe and well tolerated. We found that the elevated PET signal observed in the first 12 months persisted over 4 years in both dose groups. A significantly increased PET value compared with the presurgery baseline was maintained over the 4-year monitoring period. The UPDRS in all patients off medication for 12 hr improved in the first 12 months, but displayed a slow deterioration in subsequent years. This analysis demonstrates that apparent efficacy continues through later years with an acceptable safety profile. These data indicate stable transgene expression over 4 years after vector delivery and continued safety, but emphasize the need for a controlled efficacy trial and the use of a higher vector dose.
Mary Ann Liebert