News

The risk of severe COVID-19 in people with Fabry disease appears to be driven by immune system function rather than by the genetic disorder itself — “similar to the general population” — a small study concluded. “Immunosuppression therapy in kidney transplant recipients represented the highest risk in this [patient]…

The Fabry disease burden is variable but significant among adolescents and caregivers, affecting their quality of life and mental health, according to results of online surveys in three European countries. In addition, standard enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) was reported to reduce the disease’s burden, but not fully. These findings highlight…

High levels of calciprotein particles (CPP) — tiny structures that transport excess minerals in the bloodstream — were found in adults with Fabry disease who have a low bone mineral density (BMD), a study revealed for the first time. The hip bone and the top of the upper leg…

A clinical study in the U.K. is recruiting adults with Fabry disease (FD) to determine whether implantable loop recorders (ILRs) — a device for continuous heart monitoring — can improve arrhythmia detection and identify risk predictors for cardiac problems. Participants’ heart rhythms will be tracked, using the surgically implanted…

Nonprofits, scientists, governmental organizations, and the rare disease drug development industry have long cited 7,000 as the average number of rare diseases in the world. But a new analysis shows there are as many as 10,867 rare diseases globally. And that…

Mendelics and Takeda are partnering for a new program that aims to use a genetic sequencing strategy to make diagnosis of Fabry disease easier and faster. Fabry disease is caused by mutations in the GLA gene located on the X chromosome. This gene provides instructions for making the alpha-galactosidase…

A rare case of end-stage kidney disease was discovered in a young boy with Fabry disease, a case study reported. In such cases of unexplained kidney failure in children, a detailed family history should be taken, and Fabry considered a possible cause, the researchers recommended. The case study, “…

A tissue analysis technique called CARS microscopy could be useful for identifying heart involvement in Fabry disease, according to a new study. Fully known as Coherent anti-Stokes Raman microscopy, the technique “allows early, reliable and efficient detection of [Fabry]-triggered alterations in affected organs,” such as the heart, the researchers…

The National Organization for Rare Disorders’ (NORD) “Living Rare, Living Stronger Patient and Family Forum” is back in person on June 26 for a day of learning and networking in Cleveland, Ohio. The event, which brings together the rare disease community, will take place at the InterContinental Cleveland Conference…

Galafold (migalastat) is generally safe and significantly reduces disease-associated heart enlargement in Fabry disease patients carrying Galafold-amenable mutations, according to two-year data from a real-life, multicenter study in Germany. These benefits were generally similar between patients who had previously received standard enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and those who…