Nicole I. Wolf , Marjo S. van der Knaap , Marc Engelen
{"title":"Treatment of leukodystrophies: Advances and challenges","authors":"Nicole I. Wolf , Marjo S. van der Knaap , Marc Engelen","doi":"10.1016/j.ejpn.2025.03.016","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Leukodystrophies, a group of genetic disorders primarily affecting brain white matter, were once considered untreatable. Advances in MRI and genetic diagnostics now allow most patients to receive a genetic diagnosis, and emerging treatments are shifting the field from therapeutic nihilism to cautious optimism. Allogenic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), used since the 1980s, has shown efficacy in specific leukodystrophies, such as adrenoleukodystrophy and metachromatic leukodystrophy, when administered early. Gene therapy has become a viable option, with ex vivo approaches like atidarsagene autotemcel providing promising outcomes for early-onset MLD. Trials for gene replacement and antisense oligonucleotide therapies are ongoing for several leukodystrophies, including Canavan disease and Alexander disease. Certain treatments, such as guanabenz for Vanishing White Matter, target disease-specific dysregulated molecular pathways. Despite these advances, challenges remain, including the ultrarare nature of most leukodystrophies, limited natural history data, high treatment costs, and barriers to accessibility. Future developments, including newborn screening and close international collaboration, aim to enhance early diagnosis, refine treatment timing, and expand access to innovative therapies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50481,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Paediatric Neurology","volume":"56 ","pages":"Pages 46-50"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3000,"publicationDate":"2025-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"European Journal of Paediatric Neurology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S109037982500056X","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"CLINICAL NEUROLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Leukodystrophies, a group of genetic disorders primarily affecting brain white matter, were once considered untreatable. Advances in MRI and genetic diagnostics now allow most patients to receive a genetic diagnosis, and emerging treatments are shifting the field from therapeutic nihilism to cautious optimism. Allogenic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), used since the 1980s, has shown efficacy in specific leukodystrophies, such as adrenoleukodystrophy and metachromatic leukodystrophy, when administered early. Gene therapy has become a viable option, with ex vivo approaches like atidarsagene autotemcel providing promising outcomes for early-onset MLD. Trials for gene replacement and antisense oligonucleotide therapies are ongoing for several leukodystrophies, including Canavan disease and Alexander disease. Certain treatments, such as guanabenz for Vanishing White Matter, target disease-specific dysregulated molecular pathways. Despite these advances, challenges remain, including the ultrarare nature of most leukodystrophies, limited natural history data, high treatment costs, and barriers to accessibility. Future developments, including newborn screening and close international collaboration, aim to enhance early diagnosis, refine treatment timing, and expand access to innovative therapies.
期刊介绍:
The European Journal of Paediatric Neurology is the Official Journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society, successor to the long-established European Federation of Child Neurology Societies.
Under the guidance of a prestigious International editorial board, this multi-disciplinary journal publishes exciting clinical and experimental research in this rapidly expanding field. High quality papers written by leading experts encompass all the major diseases including epilepsy, movement disorders, neuromuscular disorders, neurodegenerative disorders and intellectual disability.
Other exciting highlights include articles on brain imaging and neonatal neurology, and the publication of regularly updated tables relating to the main groups of disorders.