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Nina-Maria Wilpert,1,2 Davide Tonduti,3 Ylenia Vaia,3 Heiko Krude,4 Catherine Sarret,5 Markus Schuelke1,2,6 1Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Department of Pediatric Neurology, Berlin, Germany; 2Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Center for Chronically Sick Children, Berlin, Germany; 3Unit of Pediatric Neurology, C.O.A.L.A. (Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Leukodystrophies), V. Buzzi Children’s Hospital, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy; 4Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Institute of Experimental Pediatric Endocrinology, Berlin, Germany; 5Centre de Compétence des Leucodystrophies et Leucoencéphalopathies de Cause Rare, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Clermont-Ferrand, Clermont-Ferrand, France; 6Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), NeuroCure Clinical Research Center, Berlin, GermanyCorrespondence: Markus Schuelke, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Augustenburger Platz 1, Berlin, 13353, Germany, Tel +49 30 450566468, Email markus.schuelke@charite.deIntroduction: The SCL16A2 gene encodes the thyroid hormone (TH) transporter MCT8. Pathogenic variants result in a reduced TH uptake into the CNS despite high serum T3 concentrations. Patients suffer from severe neurodevelopmental delay and require multidisciplinary care. Since a first compassionate use study in 2008, the development of therapies has recently gained momentum. Treatment strategies range from symptom-based approaches, supplementation with TH or TH-analogs, to gene therapy. All these studies have mainly used surrogate endpoints and clinical outcomes. However, the EMA and FDA strongly encourage researchers to involve patients and their advocacy groups in the design of clinical trials. This should strengthen the patients’ perspective and identify clinical endpoints that are clinically relevant to their daily life.Methods: We involved patient families to define patient-relevant outcomes for MCT8 deficiency. In close collaboration with patient families, we designed a questionnaire asking for their five most preferred therapeutic goals, which, if achieved at least, make a difference in their lives. In addition, we performed a systematic review according to Cochrane recommendations of the published treatment trials.Results: We obtained results from 15 families with completed questionnaires from 14 mothers and 8 fathers. Improvement in development, especially in gross motor skills, was most important to the parents. 59% wished for head control and 50% for sitting ability. Another 36% wished for weight gain, 32% for improvement of expressive language skills, and 18% for a reduction of dystonia/spasticity, less dysphagia, and reflux. Paraclinical aspects were least important (5– 9%). In a treatment trial (n=46) and compassionate use cases (n=83), the results were mainly inconclusive, partly due to a lack of predefined patient-centered clinical endpoints.Discussion: We recommend that future trials should define a relevant improvement in “development” and/or other patient-relevant outcomes compared to natural history as treatment goals.Keywords: MCT8 deficiency, SLC16A2, ultra-rare disease, movement disorders, Triac, stakeholder engagement |
