News

Cysts in the kidneys are more common in people with Fabry disease than in other diseases that affect the kidneys, which is why a new study suggests that looking for such cysts could aid in the diagnosis of Fabry. The study, “Renal Ultrasound contributes to Fabry…

People with rare disorders have a worse healthcare experience than those affected by chronic diseases, according to the results of an international survey conducted by Eurordis-Rare Diseases Europe. Indeed, rare disease patients overall give their healthcare experience a medium-low rating, of 2.5 on a scale of 1 to 5,…

Scores of virtual events are afoot around the world to mark Rare Disease Day 2021 on Feb. 28. The activities are focused on heightening awareness about rare diseases and the hundreds of millions of individuals they are thought to affect. Patients, caregivers, and advocates worldwide will sport denim ribbons…

The first patient dosed with AVR-RD-01, an investigational gene therapy being tested in the ongoing Phase 2 FAB-GT clinical trial in people with Fabry disease, showed a 100% reduction, or complete clearance of toxic substrate, in a kidney biopsy…

While progress was made last year on newborn screening and other policy issues critical to rare disease patients, a “State Report Card” argues that many concerns — notably out-of-pocket costs for prescription medicines and access to affordable comprehensive care — still need attention. Those were the findings of the…

A charitable program can help people with lysosomal storage disorders, such as Fabry disease, who live in underserved communities worldwide gain access to essential treatments, a study reports. The study, “A charitable access program for patients with lysosomal storage disorders in underserved communities worldwide,” was published in…

Fabry disease patients treated with Galafold (migalastat) had stable kidney (renal) function for up to eight and a half years — regardless of treatment status, sex, or disease characteristics — an analysis of clinical trials found. Notably, the treatment — designed only for people with certain mutations in…

The two COVID-19 vaccines that recently received emergency approval from the U.S. and other worldwide regulatory agencies are expected to pose little risk to the rare disease community, including to patients with compromised immune systems or those participating in gene therapy studies. That was the message of a recent…

ThinkGenetic is set to release a version of its online interactive tool to help in the diagnosis of Fabry disease as part of upcoming pilot initiatives by Takeda Pharmaceutical. The initial pilot programs, to be released this year, will also include versions of the diagnostic tool, called…

Caring for a loved one with a rare disease, especially during these uncertain times, demands significant time, attention, patience, and dedication. To help meet that need, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)’s Rare Caregiver Respite Program may be a helpful resource. The program seeks to give a…