Long-term effectiveness of carglumic acid in patients with propionic acidemia (PA) and methylmalonic acidemia (MMA): a randomized clinical trial

Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2021 Oct 11;16(1):422. doi: 10.1186/s13023-021-02032-8.

Abstract

Background: Propionic acidemia (PA) and methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) are rare, autosomal recessive inborn errors of metabolism that require life-long medical treatment. The trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the administration of carglumic acid with the standard treatment compared to the standard treatment alone in the management of these organic acidemias.

Methods: The study was a prospective, multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, open-label, controlled clinical trial. Patients aged ≤ 15 years with confirmed PA and MMA were included in the study. Patients were followed up for two years. The primary outcome was the number of emergency room (ER) admissions because of hyperammonemia. Secondary outcomes included plasma ammonia levels over time, time to the first episode of hyperammonemia, biomarkers, and differences in the duration of hospital stay.

Results: Thirty-eight patients were included in the study. On the primary efficacy endpoint, a mean of 6.31 ER admissions was observed for the carglumic acid arm, compared with 12.76 for standard treatment, with a significant difference between the groups (p = 0.0095). Of the secondary outcomes, the only significant differences were in glycine and free carnitine levels.

Conclusion: Using carglumic acid in addition to standard treatment over the long term significantly reduces the number of ER admissions because of hyperammonemia in patients with PA and MMA.

Keywords: Carglumic acid; Hyperammonemia; Methylmalonic academia; Organic academia; Propionic acidemia.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors* / drug therapy
  • Glutamates
  • Humans
  • Methylmalonic Acid
  • Propionic Acidemia* / drug therapy
  • Prospective Studies

Substances

  • Glutamates
  • carglumic acid
  • Methylmalonic Acid

Supplementary concepts

  • Methylmalonic acidemia