Giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) is a rare pediatric disorder caused by autosomal recessive mutations in the GAN gene. GAN is a multisystem, neurodegenerative disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system (PNS), central nervous system (CNS) and autonomic nervous system (ANS). GAN is a fatal disease with many patients not surviving past early adulthood due to aspiration pneumonia and pulmonary complications. Currently, there are no approved drugs or other therapies for the treatment of GAN; and only supportive care therapies exist, leaving an unmet medical need to treat this rare, progressive, and ultimately fatal neurodegenerative disease. The drug used in this study (scAAV9/JeT-GAN) has been studied in a previous gene therapy clinical trial by which the drug was administered as a single injection into the spinal canal (intrathecal \[IT\] administration) to treat the symptoms associated with the CNS and PNS neurodegeneration; however, this administration method did not address the symptoms associated with neurodegeneration of the ANS. To treat the symptoms associated with ANS, this study has been designed to evaluate the safety and tolerability of a single dose of scAAV9/JeT-GAN administered directly into the left vagus nerve (intraneurally) in participants who have previously received scAAV9/JeT-GAN administered intrathecally. This study involves the use of an investigational drug called scAAV9/JeT-GAN "Investigational" means that the drug has not been approved by the U.S. Food \& Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of GAN and the progression of neurodegeneration to the CNS, PNS and ANS. This is the first study in humans to administer the drug directly into the left vagus nerve. We want to find out what effects, good and/or bad, scAAV9/JeT-GAN has when administered directly into the vagus nerve. The safety of intrathecal (IT) administration of scAAV9/JeT-GAN has been established in a prior research study; however, the people in this study will be the first people to receive the drug intraneurally. As a result, information about the safety and effectiveness of the route of administration is incomplete and all of the possible side effects are not yet known.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
4
The drug used in this study (scAAV9/JeT-GAN) has been studied in a previous gene therapy clinical trial by which the drug was administered as a single injection into the spinal canal (intrathecal \[IT\] administration) to treat the symptoms associated with the CNS and PNS neurodegeneration. This is the first study in humans to administer the drug directly into the left vagus nerve.
Children's Health
Dallas, Texas, United States
RECRUITINGSafety of scAAV9/JeT-GAN when delivered to the Vagus Nerve - Based on the Number and Severity of Adverse Events Attributable to Toxicity
Safety and tolerability will be determine by the number of Incidences of unanticipated treatment-related toxicities, Grade 3 or higher. Toxicity of scAAV9/JeT-GAN i will be determined by the amount of occurrences and severity of serious adverse events (adverse events Grade 4 and 5). Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version 5.0 details the criteria for classifying adverse events. The requirements for classifying an AE a Grade 3 or higher is the following: Grade 3 Severe: Severe or medically significant but not immediately life- threatening; hospitalization or prolongation of hospitalization indicated; disabling; limiting self-care ADL (the ability to care for oneself without assistance). * Grade 4 Life-threatening consequences; urgent intervention indicated. * Grade 5 Death related to AE
Time frame: 3 years post treatment
Stability or Improvement in Autonomic Nervous Symptoms
Efficacy scAAV9/JeT-GAN will be determined by the stability or improvement in autonomic symptoms measured by the following Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROM): 1\) The COMPASS-31 is a scale used to measure neurodegenerative system symptoms related to autonomic dysfunction. A higher score indicates worse autonomic dysfunction. It consists of 31 patient-reported questions across six weighted domains.: 1. Orthostatic Intolerance (10 points): Assesses symptoms related to standing up, such as dizziness or fainting. 2. Vasomotor Symptoms (6 points): Evaluates issues like changes in skin color or temperature regulation. 3. Secretomotor Symptoms (7 points): Focuses on dryness of eyes and mouth. 4. Gastrointestinal Symptoms (28 points): Covers digestive issues. 5. Bladder Symptoms (9 points): Assesses urinary symptoms. 6. Pupillomotor Symptoms (15 points): Relates to pupillary function.
Time frame: 3 years post treatment
Stability or Improvement of Motor Function
The Motor Function Measurement-32 (MFM-32) is a clinician-reported outcome measure used to assess the functional abilities of individuals with neuromuscular diseases. The MFM32 assessment is comprised of 32 items that assess a range of different motor functional abilities across three functional domains: 1. Standing and transfers (D1: 13 items), 2. Axial and proximal motor function (D2: 12 items) 3. Distal motor function (D3: 7 items). These domains assess a broad spectrum of abilities including gross and distal motor functioning of the upper and lower limbs. Each MFM32 item is scored on a 4-point Likert scale from 0 (cannot initiate the task) to 3 (performs the task fully). Item scores are summed, and the raw score is transformed to an overall total score ranging from 0 (severe functional impairment) to 100 (no functional impairment).
Time frame: 2 Years
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