The long term dose-dependent use of Genzyme Corporation (Nasdaq: GENZ)’s Cerezyme® (imiglucerase for injection) has been found to significantly improve bone mineral density in patients with Type 1 Gaucher disease.
Gaucher disease is a condition wherein patients suffering from it are at an increased risk of developing bone complications, including including osteopenia, osteoporosis and fractures.
An enzyme replacement therapy, Cerezyme® is the standard care of treatment for pediatric and adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of Type 1 Gaucher disease that results in one or more of the following conditions: anemia, thrombocytopenia, bone disease, hepatomegaly, or splenomegaly.
The largest-ever retrospective analysis of more than 500 patients participating in the International Collaborative Gaucher Group (ICGG) Gaucher Registry have evaluated the effect of long term Cerezyme® use on bone mineral density.
The analysis found that patients receiving Cerezyme experienced a significant increase in bone mineral density over time when compared with patients who were not treated.
Furthermore, the improvements in bone mineral density were found to be dose-dependent, with those patients receiving higher doses of Cerezyme achieving greater increases in bone mineral density.
On average, the patients receiving Cerezyme at 60 units per kilogram biweekly achieved scores that approached those in the general population, whereas the untreated patients experienced no improvement or declining bone mineral density over the same period.
Such were the findings reported in a study published in the January issue of the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Find more details from the Genzyme press release.
[Photo Credit: www.samohfarmachem.co.kr]
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