Introduction: X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is the most common inherited peroxisomal disorder caused by variants in the ABCD1 gene. The main phenotypes observed in men with X-ALD are primary adrenal insufficiency, adrenomyeloneuropathy, and cerebral ALD (cALD). Cerebral ALD consists of a demyelinating progressive cerebral white matter (WM) disease associated with rapid clinical decline and is fatal if left untreated. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the standard treatment for cALD as it stabilizes WM degeneration when performed early in the disease. For this reason, early diagnosis is crucial, and several countries have already implemented their newborn screening programs (NBS) with the assessment of C26:0-lysophosphatidylcholine (C26:0-LPC) values as screening for X-ALD. Methods: In June 2021, an Italian group in Lombardy launched a pilot study for the implementation of X-ALD in the Italian NBS program. A three-tiered approach was adopted, and it involved quantifying the values of C26:0-LPC and other metabolites in dried blood spots with FIA-MS/MS first, followed by the more specific ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) technique and, finally, the genetic confirmation via focused NGS. Discussion: Genetically confirmed patients are set to undergo a follow-up protocol and are periodically evaluated to promptly start a specific treatment if and when the first signs of brain damage appear, as suggested by international guidelines. A specific disease monitoring protocol has been created based on literature data and personal direct experience. Conclusion: The primary aim of this study was to develop a model able to improve the early diagnosis and subsequent follow-up and timely treatment of X-ALD. Ethics: The study was approved by the local ethics committee. The research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationship that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Newborn screening for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy in Italy: Diagnostic algorithm and disease monitoring / E. Bonaventura, L. Alberti, S. Lucchi, L. Cappelletti, S. Fazzone, E. Cattaneo, M. Bellini, G. Izzo, C. Parazzini, A. Bosetti, E. Di Profio, G. Fiore, M. Ferrario, C. Mameli, A. Sangiorgio, S. Masnada, G.V. Zuccotti, P. Veggiotti, L. Spaccini, M. Iascone, E. Verduci, C. Cereda, D. Tonduti. - In: FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY. - ISSN 1664-2295. - 13:(2023 Jan 09), pp. 1072256.1-1072256.12. [10.3389/fneur.2022.1072256]

Newborn screening for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy in Italy: Diagnostic algorithm and disease monitoring

E. Di Profio;G. Fiore;C. Mameli;A. Sangiorgio;G.V. Zuccotti;P. Veggiotti;E. Verduci;D. Tonduti
Ultimo
2023

Abstract

Introduction: X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is the most common inherited peroxisomal disorder caused by variants in the ABCD1 gene. The main phenotypes observed in men with X-ALD are primary adrenal insufficiency, adrenomyeloneuropathy, and cerebral ALD (cALD). Cerebral ALD consists of a demyelinating progressive cerebral white matter (WM) disease associated with rapid clinical decline and is fatal if left untreated. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the standard treatment for cALD as it stabilizes WM degeneration when performed early in the disease. For this reason, early diagnosis is crucial, and several countries have already implemented their newborn screening programs (NBS) with the assessment of C26:0-lysophosphatidylcholine (C26:0-LPC) values as screening for X-ALD. Methods: In June 2021, an Italian group in Lombardy launched a pilot study for the implementation of X-ALD in the Italian NBS program. A three-tiered approach was adopted, and it involved quantifying the values of C26:0-LPC and other metabolites in dried blood spots with FIA-MS/MS first, followed by the more specific ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) technique and, finally, the genetic confirmation via focused NGS. Discussion: Genetically confirmed patients are set to undergo a follow-up protocol and are periodically evaluated to promptly start a specific treatment if and when the first signs of brain damage appear, as suggested by international guidelines. A specific disease monitoring protocol has been created based on literature data and personal direct experience. Conclusion: The primary aim of this study was to develop a model able to improve the early diagnosis and subsequent follow-up and timely treatment of X-ALD. Ethics: The study was approved by the local ethics committee. The research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationship that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS); C26:0-lysophosphatidylcholine; DBS; X-ALD; X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD); Zellweger Spectrum Disorders; hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCST); newborn screening (NBS)
Settore MED/38 - Pediatria Generale e Specialistica
9-gen-2023
2022
Article (author)
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
Newborn screening for X-linked adrenoleucodistrophy_frontiers neurology 2023.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Publisher's version/PDF
Dimensione 1.05 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.05 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/953000
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 3
  • Scopus 7
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 5
social impact