Gaucher disease, the most prevalent lysosomal storage disorder, is caused by mutations in the human glucocerebrosidase gene (GCD), which have been mapped to chromosome 1 q21-q31, leading to reduced activity of the lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase and thereby to the accumulation of substrate glucocerebroside (GlcCer) in the cells of the monocyte-macrophage system. This accumulation leads to the visceral manifestations of hepatosplenomegaly, anemia and thrombocytopenia, as well as to the skeletal features and less frequently also to lung involvement.
prGCD is a plant cell expressed recombinant glucocerebrosidase enzyme for the treatment of Gaucher disease. Expression of proteins in plant cell culture is highly efficient, does not require post-expression modification of the protein, and is not susceptible to contamination by agents such as viruses that are pathological to humans.
prGCD safety will be observed in this treatment protocol of patients with non-neuronopathic Gaucher disease who require enzyme replacement therapy. Eligible patients will receive intravenous (IV) infusions of prGCD every two weeks. The dose of prGCD will be equal to each patient's previous imiglucerase dose before reduction or discontinuation due to shortage. The infusions will be administered at the selected medical center.
