Angiogenesis, Inflammation & Therapeutics | Online ISSN  2207-872X
REVIEWS   (Open Access)

Emerging Insights into Fabry Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Multidisciplinary Management Approaches

Mohammed Ziad Aldaajani¹, Abdulmajeed Muhayya Almutairi¹*, Eissa Homuday Almuteriee¹, Abdullah Saleh Almorshed¹, Abdullah Abdulrahman Alrbian¹, Majed Suliman Alwalie¹, Adel Lafi Alharbi¹, Fahad Hamdi Khalif ALAnazi¹, Maha Mahdi Alanazi¹, Saleh Ali Saleh Al Salloum¹, Turki Suleiman Aqeel Al-Shammari¹, Abdulellah Abdulqader Kassar¹, Badi Talea Alharbi¹, Sarah Rakad Karim Al-Shammari¹

+ Author Affiliations

Journal of Angiotherapy 8 (1) 1-9 https://doi.org/10.25163/angiotherapy.8110085

Submitted: 22 November 2023 Revised: 14 January 2024  Published: 15 January 2024 


Abstract

Background: Fabry disease (FD) is a rare, X-linked lysosomal storage disorder caused by a deficiency in the enzyme alpha-galactosidase A (α-Gal A), leading to the accumulation of glycosphingolipids, particularly globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), in lysosomes. This accumulation results in multisystemic dysfunction, affecting primarily the renal, cardiovascular, and neurological systems. The disease presents with a spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from mild to severe, and poses a diagnostic challenge due to its overlap with more common conditions. Early identification is crucial for effective management. Methods: This review synthesizes current literature on Fabry disease, focusing on its pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic strategies. Genetic testing, biomarker assays, and enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) are discussed as essential diagnostic and treatment tools. Recent advancements in therapies, including gene therapy and substrate reduction, are explored. Results: Fabry disease manifests with a range of symptoms including neuropathic pain, angiokeratomas, gastrointestinal issues, renal complications, and cardiac hypertrophy. Females, due to X-chromosome inactivation, present with variable symptoms, while males typically exhibit more severe manifestations. Early diagnosis through genetic testing and biomarkers, such as plasma globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb3), has enhanced diagnostic accuracy. ERT, although effective in slowing disease progression, remains non-curative. Emerging therapies, including gene therapy, show promise in addressing the disease’s underlying causes and improving long-term outcomes. Conclusion: Fabry disease is a complex, systemic disorder that requires a multidisciplinary approach for diagnosis and management. Genetic analysis, enzyme assays, and biomarkers are crucial for accurate diagnosis, while ERT remains the cornerstone of treatment. Despite therapeutic advancements, there remains an unmet need for curative treatments. Early diagnosis and intervention are key to improving patient outcomes and preventing irreversible organ damage. Continued research into novel therapies and diagnostic tools is essential to enhance care for individuals affected by Fabry disease.

Keywords: Fabry disease, Lysosomal storage disorder, Alpha-galactosidase A, Enzyme replacement therapy, Multisystemic complications

References


Arends, M., Wijburg, F. A., Wanner, C., Vaz, F. M., van Kuilenburg, A. B. P., Hughes, D. A., Biegstraaten, M., Mehta, A., Hollak, C. E. M., & Langeveld, M. (2017). Favourable effect of early versus late start of enzyme replacement therapy on plasma globotriaosylsphingosine levels in men with classical Fabry disease. Molecular Genetics and Metabolism, 121(2), 157-161.

Baig, S., Vijapurapu, R., Alharbi, F., Nordin, S., Kozor, R., Moon, J., Bembi, B., Geberhiwot, T., & Steeds, R. P. (2019). Diagnosis and treatment of the cardiovascular consequences of Fabry disease. QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, 112(1), 3-9.

Bokhari, S. R. A., Zulfiqar, H., & Hariz, A. (2023). Fabry disease. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing.

Chan, B., & Adam, D. N. (2018). A review of Fabry disease. Skin Therapy Letter, 23(2), 4-6.

Del Pino, M., Andrés, A., Bernabéu, Á. Á., de Juan-Rivera, J., Fernández, E., de Dios García Díaz, J., Hernández, D., Luño, J., Fernández, I. M., Paniagua, J., Posada de la Paz, M., Rodríguez-Pérez, J. C., Santamaría, R., Torra, R., Ambros, J. T., Vidau, P., & Torregrosa, J. V. (2018). Fabry nephropathy: An evidence-based narrative review. Kidney and Blood Pressure Research, 43(2), 406-421.

Ersözlü, S., Desnick, R. J., Huynh-Do, U., Canaan-Kühl, S., Barbey, F., Genitsch, V., Mueller, T. F., Cheetham, M., Flammer, A. J., Schaub, S., & Nowak, A. (2018). Long-term outcomes of kidney transplantation in Fabry disease. Transplantation, 102(11), 1924-1933.

Ferreira, C. R., & Gahl, W. A. (2017). Lysosomal storage diseases. Translational Science of Rare Diseases, 2(1-2), 1-71.

Fukuda, Y., Onishi, T., Suzuki, A., Tanaka, H., Fukuzawa, K., Yoshida, A., Kawai, H., Hirata, K. I. (2017). Follow-up of cardiac Fabry disease treated by cardiac resynchronization therapy. CASE, 1(4), 134-137.

Kubo, T. (2017). Fabry disease and its cardiac involvement. Journal of General and Family Medicine, 18(5), 225-229.

Lenders, M., & Brand, E. (2018). Effects of enzyme replacement therapy and antidrug antibodies in patients with Fabry disease. Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, 29(9), 2265-2278.

Lenders, M., Hennermann, J. B., Kurschat, C., Rolfs, A., Canaan-Kühl, S., Sommer, C., Üçeyler, N., Kampmann, C., Karabul, N., Giese, A. K., Duning, T., Stypmann, J., Krämer, J., Weidemann, F., Brand, S. M., Wanner, C., & Brand, E. (2016). Multicenter female Fabry study (MFFS) - Clinical survey on current treatment of females with Fabry disease. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases, 11(1), 88.

Madsen, C. V., Christensen, E. I., Nielsen, R., Mogensen, H., Rasmussen, Å. K., & Feldt-Rasmussen, U. (2019). Enzyme replacement therapy during pregnancy in Fabry patients: Review of published cases of live births and a new case of a severely affected female with Fabry disease and pre-eclampsia complicating pregnancy. JIMD Reports, 44, 93-101.

Ortiz, A., Germain, D. P., Desnick, R. J., Politei, J., Mauer, M., Burlina, A., Eng, C., Hopkin, R. J., Laney, D., Linhart, A., Waldek, S., Wallace, E., Weidemann, F., & Wilcox, W. R. (2018). Fabry disease revisited: Management and treatment recommendations for adult patients. Molecular Genetics and Metabolism, 123(4), 416-427.

Schuller, Y., Arends, M., Körver, S., Langeveld, M., & Hollak, C. E. M. (2018). Adaptive pathway development for Fabry disease: A clinical approach. Drug Discovery Today, 23(6), 1251-1257.

Siegenthaler, M., Huynh-Do, U., Krayenbuehl, P., Pollock, E., Widmer, U., Debaix, H., Olinger, E., Frank, M., Namdar, M., Ruschitzka, F., & Nowak, A. (2017). Impact of cardio-renal syndrome on adverse outcomes in patients with Fabry disease in a long-term follow-up. International Journal of Cardiology, 249, 261-267.

Sweet, M. E., Mestroni, L., & Taylor, M. R. G. (2018). Genetic infiltrative cardiomyopathies. Heart Failure Clinics, 14(2), 215-224.

Wanner, C., Arad, M., Baron, R., Burlina, A., Elliott, P. M., Feldt-Rasmussen, U., Fomin, V. V., Germain, D. P., Hughes, D. A., Jovanovic, A., Kantola, I., Linhart, A., Mignani, R., Monserrat, L., Namdar, M., Nowak, A., Oliveira, J. P., Ortiz, A., Pieroni, M., ... & Hilz, M. J. (2018). European expert consensus statement on therapeutic goals in Fabry disease. Molecular Genetics and Metabolism, 124(3), 189-203.

Wasserstein, M. P., Caggana, M., Bailey, S. M., Desnick, R. J., Edelmann, L., Estrella, L., Holzman, I., Kelly, N. R., Kornreich, R., Kupchik, S. G., Martin, M., Nafday, S. M., Wasserman, R., Yang, A., Yu, C., & Orsini, J. J. (2019). The New York pilot newborn screening program for lysosomal storage diseases: Report of the first 65,000 infants. Genetics in Medicine, 21(3), 631-640. 

PDF
Abstract
Export Citation

View Dimensions


View Plumx


View Altmetric



0
Save
0
Citation
110
View
0
Share