|
Gaucher disease is a multisystemic disorder arising from a deficient activity of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase, which leads to accumulation of glycosylceraide and other glycolipids in the regiculoendothelial system. The characteristics of Gaucher disease are anemia, thrombocytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, and skeletal disease. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) has been proven to prevent progressive manifestations of Gaucher disease and effective in improving anemia, thrombocytopenia, bone markers and biomarkers. However, some patient needs still remain unmet because of the inaccessibility of certain sites including brain, bone and various organs. ERT could not improve the irreversible lesion such as liver fibrosis, hepatopulmonary syndrome, and necrosis or infarction of bone and other organs. Adult patients with Gaucher disease should be screened for longterm complication such as bone disease, pulmonary hypertension, gallstone, and cancer, especially in patients with splenectomy. Parkinsonism and polyneuropathy was also reported among patients with type 1 Gaucher disease, but ERT does not improve neurological function. We need to review the benefits and unmet needs of ERT in Gaucher disease.
|