View clinical trials related to Canavan Disease.
Filter by:A recombinant virus vector constructed from adeno-associated virus (AAV) has been engineered to carry the human aspartoacylase (ASPA) gene expressed from a modified CMV-enhancer chicken β-actin (CB6) promoter. The construct has been shown to produce ASPA in animal models of Canavan disease, which closely match the proposed human study. The proposed clinical trial is an open label, expanded access study administering rAAV9-CB6-AspA gene vector by simultaneous systemic and intracerebroventricular routes to a single human subject (18-24 months of age) with Canavan disease. The subject will also receive immune modulation to transiently ablate B-cells (Rituximab) and modulate T-cell response (Sirolimus) prior to the initial exposure to AAV9. Given the null AspA mutations of the subject and current AAV seronegative status, this regimen will allow for later exposure to the therapeutic vector if needed and block any immuno-toxicity in the CNS. The goal of this study is to measure the safety and efficacy of AAV-mediated gene therapy as a treatment approach for neuronal pathology in Canavan disease. The subject will act as their own control and change from baseline will be assessed in regards to levels of brain NAA, brain water content and morphology, improved clinical status and peripheral levels of NAA. Safety parameters measured in this study will include: serum chemistries and hematology, urinalysis, physical assessments, whole blood assay for vector genomes, immunologic response to ASPA and AAV, as well as reported subject symptom history.
The main objective of this trial is to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacodynamic activity of BBP-812, an investigational AAV9-based gene therapy, in pediatric participants with Canavan disease.
Canavan Disease is a congenital white matter disorder caused by mutations to the gene encoding for aspartoacylase (ASPA). Expression of ASPA is restricted to oligodendrocytes, the sole white matter producing lineage in the brain. ASPA supports myelination in the capacity of its sole known function, namely, the catabolism of N-acetylaspartate (NAA). Inherited mutations that result in loss of ASPA catabolic activity result in a typically severe phenotype of Canavan Disease, characterized by chronically elevated brain NAA, gross motor abnormalities, hypomyelination, progressive spongiform degeneration of the brain, epilepsy, blindness, and a short life expectancy. Disease severity is correlated with residual levels of enzyme activity. Reconstitution of ASPA function in oligodendrocytes of the brains of Canavan patients is expected to rescue NAA metabolism in its natural cellular compartment and support myelination/remyelination by resident white matter producing cells. This protocol directly targets oligodendrocytes in the brain, which are intimately involved with disease initiation and progression. Targeting oligodendrocytes offers the safest and most direct therapy for affected individuals. The latest generation AAV viral vector (rAAV-Olig001-ASPA) will be administered to patients using neurosurgical procedure which involves direct administration of gene therapy to affected regions of the brain. Outcome measures for the open label clinical trial include longitudinal clinical assessments and brain imaging. Currently, there is no effective treatment for Canavan Disease. The purpose of this study is to validate a new technology targeted to the cells most affected by Canavan Disease in the safest way possible. The study investigators are committed to supporting the Rare Disease & Canavan Disease Communities. For more information, please contact Jordana Holovach, Head of Communications and Community at PatientAdvocacy@myrtellegtx.com.
This study uses medical records that allow retrospective data extraction of critical milestone and motor function data. In addition, prospective assessments collect data relevant to the natural history of Canavan disease in children.
Early Check provides voluntary screening of newborns for a selected panel of conditions. The study has three main objectives: 1) develop and implement an approach to identify affected infants, 2) address the impact on infants and families who screen positive, and 3) evaluate the Early Check program. The Early Check screening will lead to earlier identification of newborns with rare health conditions in addition to providing important data on the implementation of this model program. Early diagnosis may result in health and development benefits for the newborns. Infants who have newborn screening in North Carolina will be eligible to participate, equating to over 120,000 eligible infants a year. Over 95% of participants are expected to screen negative. Newborns who screen positive and their parents are invited to additional research activities and services. Parents can enroll eligible newborns on the Early Check electronic Research Portal. Screening tests are conducted on residual blood from existing newborn screening dried blood spots. Confirmatory testing is provided free-of-charge for infants who screen positive, and carrier testing is provided to mothers of infants with fragile X. Affected newborns have a physical and developmental evaluation. Their parents have genetic counseling and are invited to participate in surveys and interviews. Ongoing evaluation of the program includes additional parent interviews.
The Myelin Disorders Biorepository Project (MDBP) seeks to collect and analyze clinical data and biological samples from leukodystrophy patients worldwide to support ongoing and future research projects. The MDBP is one of the world's largest leukodystrophy biorepositories, having enrolled nearly 2,000 affected individuals since it was launched over a decade ago. Researchers working in the biorepository hope to use these materials to uncover new genetic etiologies for various leukodystrophies, develop biomarkers for use in future clinical trials, and better understand the natural history of these disorders. The knowledge gained from these efforts may help improve the diagnostic tools and treatment options available to patients in the future.
The purpose of this study is to learn more about the natural history of Canavan disease
Leukodystrophies, and other heritable disorders of the white matter of the brain, were previously resistant to genetic characterization, largely due to the extreme genetic heterogeneity of molecular causes. While recent work has demonstrated that whole genome sequencing (WGS), has the potential to dramatically increase diagnostic efficiency, significant questions remain around the impact on downstream clinical management approaches versus standard diagnostic approaches.
The investigators have developed a new website to educate persons of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry about their increased risk for having children with certain genetic conditions, and the genetic testing the investigators offer. This study aims to pilot the website to find out whether it is effective and to learn what the investigators can improve. Participants in the study will be assigned to one of two conditions: 1. Standard in-person genetic counselling session to learn about inheritance of Ashkenazi Jewish genetic conditions and genetic testing. Participants will fill out two short questionnaires, one before and one after the genetic counselling session. They will then be given a requisition form to undergo blood draw for genetic testing at the Montreal General Hospital test centre. 2. Use of a web-based pre-test genetic counselling tool to learn about inheritance of Ashkenazi Jewish genetic conditions and genetic testing. They will fill out two short questionnaires, one before, and one after using the web-based tool. They will then be electronically sent a requisition form to undergo blood draw for genetic testing at the Montreal General Hospital test centre. In both conditions, genetic test results will be communicated by telephone once they are available. Participants' genetic test results will not be used in any way for the study.
Canavan disease is caused by Aspartoacylase deficiency. There is no treatment for the disease, but there is a food additive that includes acetate . We suggest an early treatment with acetate and a neurologic evaluation, including MRI, after 4 months of treatment. In any case the treatment will be stopped at the age of 22 months, when myelinization is ended.