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Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to identify the biochemical/genetic defects in erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). People with EPP have skin sensitivity to sunlight and occasionally develop liver disease. In this study, the investigators hope to learn the nature of the biochemical/genetic defects in EPP because this may help explain the severity of these clinical features.


Clinical Trial Description

This study examines the possibility that abnormal expression of the gene mitoferrin-1, which codes for the protein that transports iron in the mitochondria of cells, is a contributing factor to the phenotype in individuals with EPP. Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a human genetic/metabolic disorder in which accumulation of the compound protoporphyrin causes skin sensitivity to sunlight. Some individuals with the disorder also have mild anemia, and a few have hepatobiliary disease. Iron is joined to protoporphyrin to form heme in the mitochondria of cells, under control of the enzyme ferrochelatase. Defects in this process cause the accumulation of protoporphyrin, leading to the biochemical and clinical features of EPP. Abnormalities in the ferrochelatase gene are the major cause of the defect, but do not satisfactorily explain the severity of the phenotype in all subjects. Mitoferrin-1 transports iron to ferrochelatase in the mitochondria of cells for heme formation, and also transports iron for the formation of a compound that keeps ferrochelatase active and stable. Thus, a deficiency of this iron transporter could reduce ferrochelatase activity and contribute to the phenotype in EPP. ;


Study Design


Related Conditions & MeSH terms


NCT number NCT01880983
Study type Observational
Source University of Alabama at Birmingham
Contact
Status Completed
Phase
Start date November 2011
Completion date December 31, 2020

See also
  Status Clinical Trial Phase
Withdrawn NCT01550705 - Effect of Isoniazid on Protoporphyrin Levels in Erythropoietic Protoporphyria N/A
Completed NCT03520036 - Study to Evaluate Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of MT-7117 in Subjects With Erythropoietic Protoporphyria Phase 2
Recruiting NCT06144840 - INcreased Sun Exposure Without Pain In Research Participants With EPP or XLP Phase 3