A Pilot Therapeutic Trial Using Hydroxyurea in Type I Spinal Muscular Atrophy Patients

SMA is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by degeneration of spinal cord motor neurons and muscular atrophy. SMA is classified into three clinical subtypes according to the severity and age of onset (Types I, II and III). Type I SMA (also called severe, infantile or acute SMA, or Werdnig-Hoffman disease) is the most severe phenotype. The onset of symptoms is within the first 6 months of life, and weakness of intercostal muscles and lack of airway protection lead to respiratory insufficiency and aspiration pneumonia, often resulting in early infant death.

In our laboratory, our preliminary results indicate that HU treatment significantly increases both SMN mRNA expression and intact SMN protein levels in vitro. These data confirm previous observations that in vitro treatments of SMA lymphocytes with hydroxyurea resulted in augmentation of the SMN2 gene expression in a dose and time related manner. Based on these exciting pre-clinical data, coupled with the well-documented side-effect profile of HU in children, we are conducting a pilot clinical trial using HU in children with Type I SMA. This clinical trial study is intended to establish the safety profile in children with Type I SMA; to identify reliable outcome measures; and to detect the possible clinical efficacy of HU treatment in children with Type I SMA.