Genetic and clinical characteristics of Filipino patients with Gaucher disease

Gaucher disease (GD) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by the deficiency of the beta-glucocerebrosidase enzyme due to disease causing mutations in the GBA1 (glucosidase beta acid) gene, leading to the abnormal accumulation of the lipid glucocerebroside in lysosomal macrophages. This is a review of the clinical features and molecular profiles of 14 Filipino patients with GD. Five patients presented with type 1 disease, two had type 2 GD and seven had type 3 GD. The age of onset for all types was between 1 and 2 years of age but there was a delay of 2.2 years from the time of symptom onset to confirmation of diagnosis. Hepatosplenomegaly, anemia and thrombocytopenia were present in most of the patients. Stunting was seen in 64.3% and bone abnormalities were present in 63.6%. The most common mutant allele detected in this cohort was L483P (previously L444P), followed by F252I, P358A and G241R. IVS2+1 G> A, N409S and G416S mutations were reported singularly. There were 3 patients who were found to have N131S mutations and one patient with D257V mutation, mutant alleles that have only been reported among the Filipinos to date. Except for N409S, the mutations found in this cohort were generally severe and were congruent with the severe phenotypes found in most patients. Of the 14 patients, only 6 were able to undergo enzyme replacement therapy which significantly improved the hematologic parameters and decreased the sizes of the liver and spleen but did not consistently improve the growth and skeletal abnormalities nor alleviate the neurological manifestations of our patients with GD. Improved monitoring through recommended modalities for assessments and tools for evaluation should be implemented in order to fully appreciate the severity of the disease and accuracy of the response to treatment.