Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a group of neuromuscular disorders that result in the loss of motor neurons and progressive muscle wasting.[1] The severity of symptoms and age of onset varies by the type.[1] Some types are apparent at or before birth while others are not apparent until adulthood.[1] All generally result in worsening muscle weakness associated with muscle twitching.[1][3] Arm, leg and respiratory muscles are generally affected first.[3][5] Associated problems may include problems with swallowing, scoliosis, and joint contractures.[2][5] SMA is a leading genetic cause of death in infants.[4]
A very rare form whose symptoms become apparent before birth (reduced foetal movement). Affected children typically have atrial septal defects and usually survive only a few weeks due to respiratory problems.
The severe form manifests in the first months of life. Children never learn to sit unsupported. Rapid motor neuron death causes inefficiency of the major bodily organs – especially of the respiratory system. Pneumonia-induced respiratory failure is the most frequent cause of death. Untreated and without respiratory support, babies diagnosed with SMA type 1 do not generally survive past two years of age.
The intermediate form affects people who were able to maintain a sitting position at least some time in their life but never learned to walk unsupported. The onset of weakness is usually noticed some time between 6 and 18 months of life. The progress is known to vary greatly, some people gradually grow weaker over time while others through careful maintenance remain relatively stable. Body muscles are weakened, and the respiratory system is a major concern. Life expectancy is reduced but most people with SMA 2 live well into adulthood.
The juvenile form usually manifests after 18 months of age and describes people who have been able to walk without support at least for some time in their lives, even if they later lost this ability. Respiratory involvement occurs in SMA 3, as do hand tremors.
Motor development and disease progression in people with SMA is usually assessed using validated functional scales – CHOP-INTEND (The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Infant Test of Neuromuscular Disorders)[8] or HINE (Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination) in infants[9]; and either the MFM (Motor Function Measure)[10] or one of a few variants of the HFMS (Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale) in patients[11].
The eponymous label Werdnig–Hoffmann disease (sometimes misspelled with a single n) refers to the earliest clinical descriptions of childhood SMA by Johann Hoffmann and Guido Werdnig. The eponymous term Kugelberg–Welander disease is after Erik Klas Hendrik Kugelberg (1913–1983) and Lisa Welander (1909–2001), who distinguished SMA from muscular dystrophy.[12]
X-ray showing bell-shaped torso due to atrophy of intercostal muscles and using abdominal muscles to breathe. Bell-shaped torso is not specific to individuals with SMA
The symptoms vary depending on the SMA type,[3] below are most common in the severe SMA type 0/I:
Although the heart is not a matter of routine concern, a link between SMA and certain heart conditions has been suggested.[14]Children with SMA cognitive development can be slightly faster, and certain aspects of their intelligence are above the average.[15]
Spinal muscular atrophy has an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance.
Spinal muscular atrophy is linked to a genetic mutation in the SMN1gene.[16] Human chromosome 5 contains two nearly identical genes at location 5q13: a telomeric copy SMN1 and a centromeric copy SMN2. In healthy individuals, the SMN1 gene codes the survival of motor neuron protein (SMN) which, as its name says, plays a crucial role in survival of motor neurons. The SMN2 gene, on the other hand – due to a variation in a single nucleotide (840.C→T) – undergoes alternative splicing at the junction of intron 6 to exon 8, with only 10–20% of SMN2 transcripts coding a fully functional survival of motor neuron protein (SMN-fl) and 80–90% of transcripts resulting in a truncated protein compound (SMNΔ7) which is rapidly degraded in the cell.[17]
In individuals affected by SMA, the SMN1 gene is mutated in such a way that it is unable to correctly code the SMN protein – due to either a deletion occurring at exon 7[18] or to other point mutations (frequently resulting in the functional conversion of the SMN1 sequence into SMN2)[19]. Almost all people, however, have at least one functional copy of the SMN2 gene which still codes small amounts of SMN protein – allowing some neurons to survive.[20] In the long run, however, reduced availability of the SMN protein results in gradual death of motor neuron cells in the anterior horn of spinal cord. Muscles that depend on these motor neurons for neural input now have decreased innervation, and therefore have decreased input from the central nervous system (CNS). Decreased impulse transmission through the motor neurons leads to decreased contractile activity of the denervated muscle, consequently, denervated muscles undergo progressive atrophy (waste away).[2][21]
Muscles of lower extremities are usually affected first, followed by muscles of upper extremities, spine and neck and, in more severe cases, pulmonary and mastication muscles. Proximal muscles are always affected earlier and to a greater degree than distal.[22][23]
The severity of SMA symptoms is broadly related to how well the remaining SMN2 genes can make up for the loss of function of SMN1. This is partly related to the number of SMN2 gene copies present on the chromosome. Whilst healthy individuals carry two SMN2 gene copies, people with SMA can have anything between 1 and 4 (or more) of them, with the greater the number of SMN2 copies, the milder the disease severity. Thus, most SMA type I babies have one or two SMN2 copies; people with SMA II and III usually have at least three SMN2 copies; and people with SMA IV normally have at least four of them. However, the correlation between symptom severity and SMN2 copy number is not absolute, and there seem to exist other factors affecting the disease phenotype.[24]
Spinal muscular atrophy is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means that the defective gene is located on an autosome. Two copies of the defective gene – one from each parent – are required to inherit the disorder: the parents may be carriers and not personally affected.[6][25]SMA seems to appear de novo (i.e., without any hereditary causes) in around 2% of cases.[6]Affected siblings usually have a very similar form of SMA.[26] However, occurrences of different SMA types among siblings do exist – while rare[27]
The most severe manifestation on the SMA spectrum can be noticeable to mothers late in their pregnancy by reduced or absent fetal movements. Symptoms are critical (including respiratory distress and poor feeding) which usually result in death within weeks, in contrast to the mildest phenotype of SMA (adult-onset), where muscle weakness may present after decades and progress to the use of a wheelchair but life expectancy is unchanged.[28]Some common clinical manifestations of the SMA spectrum that prompt diagnostic genetic testing:
Progressive bilateral muscle weakness (Usually upper arms & legs more so than hands and feet) preceded by an asymptomatic period (all but most severe type 0)[28]
While the above symptoms point towards SMA, the diagnosis can only be confirmed with absolute certainty through genetic testing for bi-allelic deletion of exon 7 of the SMN1 gene which is the cause.[6] Genetic testing can be carried out using a blood sample, and Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA).[29][6]
Those at risk of being carriers of SMN1 deletion, and thus at risk of having offspring affected by SMA, can undergo carrier analysis using a blood or saliva sample. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends all people thinking of becoming pregnant be tested to see if they are a carrier.[30]However, genetic testing will not be able to identify all individuals at risk since about 2% of cases are caused by de novo mutations and 5% of the normal populations have two copies of SMN1 on the same chromosome, which makes it possible to be a carrier by having one chromosome with two copies and a second chromosome with zero copies. This situation will lead to a false negative result, as the carrier status will not be correctly detected by a traditional genetic test.[32][33]
Given the availability of treatments that appear most effective in early stages of the disease, a number of experts have recommended to routinely test all newborn children for SMA.[34][35][36] In 2018, newborn screening for SMA was added to the US list of recommended newborn screening tests[37]. Since 2020, SMA newborn screening is mandated in the Netherlands.[38] Additionally, pilot projects in newborn screening for SMA have been conducted in Australia,[39] Belgium,[40] China,[41] Germany,[42] Italy, Japan,[43] Taiwan,[44] and the US.[45]
Current therapeutic approaches and their mechanisms of action[46]
The management of SMA varies based upon the severity and type: the most severe forms (types 0/1), individuals have the greatest muscle weakness requiring prompt intervention, whereas the least severe form (type 4), individuals may not seek the certain aspects of care until later in life.[47]
Nusinersen is used to treat spinal muscular atrophy. It is an antisense nucleotide that modifies the alternative splicing of the SMN2 gene. It is given directly to the central nervous system using an intrathecal injection. Nusinersen prolongs survival and improves motor function in infants with SMA. It was approved in the US in 2016.[48]
Onasemnogene abeparvovec is a gene therapy treatment which uses self-complementary adeno-associated virus type 9 (scAAV-9) as a vector to deliver the SMN1 transgene.[49] As an intravenous formulation, it was approved in 2019 in the US to treat those below 24 months of age.[50] In 2020, approvals in the EU and Japan for the gene therapy occured.[51]
Risdiplam, which is taken by mouth, was approved by the FDA on August 2020.[52][53]
The respiratory system is the most common system to be affected and the complications are the leading cause of death in SMA types 0/1 and 2. SMA type 3 can have similar respiratory problems, but it is more rare.[22] The complications that arise are due to weakened intercostal muscles because of the lack of stimulation from the nerve. The diaphragm is less affected than the intercostal muscles.[22] Once weakened, the muscles never fully recover the same functional capacity to help in breathing and coughing as well as other functions. Therefore, breathing is more difficult and pose a risk of not getting enough oxygen/shallow breathing and insufficient clearance of airway secretions[31]: 378 . Swallowing muscles can be affected, leading to aspiration coupled with a poor coughing mechanism increases the likelihood of infection/pneumonia.[54][55] Mobilizing and clearing secretions involve manual or mechanical chest physiotherapy with postural drainage, and manual or mechanical cough assistance device. To assist in breathing, non-invasive ventilation (BiPAP) is frequently used and tracheostomy may be sometimes performed in more severe cases[56]
The more severe the type of SMA, are more likely to have nutrition related health issues. Health issues can include difficulty in feeding, jaw opening, chewing and swallowing. Individuals with such difficulties can be at increase risk of over or undernutrition, and failure to thrive.[57] Other nutritional issues, include food not passing through the stomach quickly enough, constipation,and vomiting.[58] Therein, it could be necessary in SMA type II and people with more severe type III to have a feeding tube or gastrostomy.[59]Additionally, metabolic abnormalities resulting from SMA impair β-oxidation of fatty acids in muscles and can lead to muscle damage[31] It is suggested that people with SMA, especially those with more severe forms of the disease, reduce intake of fat and avoid prolonged fasting (i.e., eat more frequently than healthy people)[60]
Skeletal problems associated with weak muscles in SMA include tight joints with limited range of movement, hip dislocations, spinal deformity, osteopenia, an increase risk of fractures and pain.[22] Weak muscles that normally stabilize joints such as the vertebral column lead to development of kyphosis and/or scoliosis and joint contracture.[22]Spine fusion is sometimes performed in children with SMA once they reach a certain age to relieve the pressure of the deformed spine.[61] Furthermore, immobile individuals, posture and position on mobility devices as well as range of motion exercises, and bone strengthening can be important to prevent complications[62]. People with SMA might also benefit greatly from various forms of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy.[63]Orthotic devices can be used to support the body and to aid walking, for example, orthotics such as AFOs (ankle foot orthoses) are used to stabilise the foot and to aid gait, TLSOs (thoracic lumbar sacral orthoses) are used to stabilise the torso.[58]
Palliative care in SMA has been standardised in the Consensus Statement for Standard of Care in Spinal Muscular Atrophy[22] which has been recommended for standard adoption worldwide.
In lack of pharmacological treatment, people with SMA tend to deteriorate over time. Recently, survival has increased in severe SMA patients with aggressive and proactive supportive respiratory and nutritional support.[64]
The majority of children diagnosed with SMA type 0 and I do not reach the age of 2, recurrent respiratory problems being the primary cause of death.[7][65] With proper care, milder SMA type I cases (which account for approx. 10% of all SMA1 cases) live into adulthood.[66] Long-term survival in SMA type I is not sufficiently evidenced; however, recent advances in respiratory support seem to have brought down mortality.[67]In SMA type II, the course of the disease is slower to progress and life expectancy is less than the healthy population, although many people with SMA type II live long lives.[68][69] SMA type III has normal or near-normal life expectancy if standards of care are followed.[70] Type IV, adult-onset SMA usually means a benign disease course and does not affect life expectancy.[71]
The calculated incidence rates of 5.83 per 100,000 live births for SMA type I, accounts for 60% of all SMA types. The overall prevalence of SMA, is in the range of 1 per 10,000 individuals, therefore, approximately one in 50 persons are carriers.[72][73]
Three periods in history of SMA research, in 1891, Werdnig reported the first two cases of SMA, in 1995 two SMA-related genes, SMN1 and SMN2, were identified, and in 2016, nusinersen was first drug approved for treatment of SMA[74]
Since the underlying genetic cause of SMA was identified in 1995,[75] several therapeutic approaches have been proposed and investigated that primarily focus on increasing the availability of SMN protein in motor neurons.[76] The main research directions are as follows:
Gene therapy in SMA aims at restoring the SMN1 gene function through inserting specially crafted nucleotide sequence (a SMN1transgene) into the cell nucleus using a viral vector[77] In 2019 an AAV9 therapy was approved: Onasemnogene abeparvovec.[78]Only one programme has reached the clinical stage. Work on developing gene therapy for SMA is also conducted at the Institut de Myologie in Paris[79]
This approach aims at modifying the alternative splicing of the SMN2 gene to force it to code for higher percentage of full-length SMN protein. [80]The following splicing modulators have reached clinical stage development:
Branaplam (LMI070, NVS-SM1) is a proprietary small-molecule experimental drug administered orally and being developed by Novartis. As of 2020[update] the compound remains in clinical trial in infants with SMA type 1 [81][82]
This approach aims at increasing expression (activity) of the SMN2 gene, thus increasing the amount of full-length SMN protein available:
Oral salbutamol (albuterol), a popular asthma medicine, showed therapeutic potential in SMA both in vitro[83] and in three small-scale clinical trials involving patients with SMA types 2 and 3,[84][85][86] besides offering respiratory benefits.
A few compounds initially showed promise but failed to demonstrate efficacy in clinical trials:
Valproic acid (VPA) was used in SMA on an experimental basis in the 1990s and 2000s because in vitro research suggested its moderate effectiveness.[90][91] However, it demonstrated no efficacy in achievable concentrations when subjected to a large clinical trial.[92][93] It has also been proposed that it may be effective in a subset of people with SMA but its action may be suppressed by fatty acid translocase in others.[94] It is currently not used due to the risk of severe side effects related to long-term use. A 2019 meta-analysis suggested that VPA may offer benefits, even without improving functional score.[95]
Hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea) was shown effective in mouse models[96] and subsequently commercially researched by Novo Nordisk, Denmark, but demonstrated no effect on people with SMA in subsequent clinical trials.[97]
SMN stabilisation aims at stabilising the SMNΔ7 protein, the short-lived defective protein coded by the SMN2 gene, so that it is able to sustain neuronal cells.[98]No compounds have been taken forward to the clinical stage. Aminoglycosides showed capability to increase SMN protein availability in two studies.[99][100]Indoprofen offered some promise in vitro.[101]
Neuroprotective drugs aim at enabling the survival of motor neurons even with low levels of SMN protein.[102]Olesoxime is a proprietary neuroprotective compound developed by the French company Trophos, later acquired by Hoffmann-La Roche, which showed stabilising effect in a phase-II clinical trial involving people with SMA types 2 and 3. Its development was discontinued in 2018 in view of competition with Spinraza and worse than expected data coming from an open-label extension trial.[103]
This approach aims to counter the effect of SMA by targeting the muscle tissue instead of neurons, CK-2127107 (CK-107) is a skeletal troponin activator developed by Cytokinetics in cooperation with Astellas. The drug aims at increasing muscle reactivity despite lowered neural signaling; on August 2020 the trial phase was completed[114]
In 2013–2014, a small number of SMA1 children in Italy received court-mandated stem cell injections following the Stamina scam, but the treatment was reported having no effect.[115][116] The medical consensus is that such procedures offer no clinical benefit whilst carrying significant risk, therefore people with SMA are advised against them.[117][118]
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