Anti-TNF therapy for inflammatory bowel disease in patients with neurodegenerative Niemann-Pick disease Type C

Holm H. Uhlig, Isabelle Williams, Sumeet Pandey, Wolfram Haller, Hien Quoc Huynh, Alicia Chan, Gesche Düeker, Ruth Bettels, Laurent Peyrin-Biroulet, Chinenye R. Dike, Catherine DeGeeter, David Smith, Nada Al Eisa, Nick Platt, Thorsten Marquardt, Tobias Schwerd, Frances M. Platt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Blockade of tumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF) is effective in patients with Crohn's Disease but has been associated with infection risk and neurological complications such as demyelination. Niemann-Pick disease Type C1 (NPC1) is a lysosomal storage disorder presenting in childhood with neurological deterioration, liver damage and respiratory infections. Some NPC1 patients develop severe Crohn's disease. Our objective was to investigate the safety and effectiveness of anti-TNF in NPC1 patients with Crohn's disease. Methods: Retrospective data on phenotype and therapy response were collected in 2019-2020 for the time period 2014 to 2020 from patients in the UK, France, Germany and Canada with genetically confirmed NPC1 defects and intestinal inflammation. We investigated TNF secretion in peripheral blood mononuclear cells treated with NPC1 inhibitor in response to bacterial stimuli. Results: NPC1 inhibitor treated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) show significantly increased TNF production after lipopolysaccharide or bacterial challenge providing a rationale for anti-TNF therapy. We identified 4 NPC1 patients with Crohn's disease (CD)-like intestinal inflammation treated using anti-TNF therapy (mean age of onset 8.1 years, mean treatment length 27.75 months, overall treatment period 9.25 patient years). Anti-TNF therapy was associated with reduced gastrointestinal symptoms with no apparent adverse neurological events. Therapy improved intestinal inflammation in 4 patients. Conclusions: Anti-TNF therapy appears safe in patients with NPC1 and is an effective treatment strategy for the management of intestinal inflammation in these patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number11
JournalWellcome Open Research
Volume7
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Niemann-Pick disease Type C1

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)

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