News

CEP in boy with repeat nosebleeds treated by removing his spleen

Surgical removal of the spleen effectively eased the signs and symptoms of severe congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP) in a 10-year-old boy with recurrent nose bleeds, according to a recent case report. “Our patient’s repeated [nose bleeds] is a rare and unreported clinical manifestation of this illness,” the scientists wrote.

Case of pregnancy-related AIP highlights challenges in diagnosis

A 33-year-old pregnant woman experiencing severe abdominal pain shortly before delivery and showing worsening neurological symptoms thereafter was misdiagnosed with several conditions before an acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) diagnosis was confirmed, according to a case report from Saudi Arabia. “[Neurologic] porphyria is an easily missed entity due to its…

Rare HMBS gene mutation ID’d in Mexican woman with severe AIP

A rarely reported mutation in the HMBS gene was identified as the cause of recurrent, hard-to-treat episodes of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) in a young Mexican woman, according to a case report. While it’s unclear whether the mutation is linked to a more severe clinical presentation, its identification “underscores…

Disc Medicine’s new US patent covers bitopertin therapy for EPPs

Disc Medicine has been granted a U.S. patent for treating erythropoietic protoporphyrias (EPPs) with glycine transport inhibitors, such as its investigational oral therapy bitopertin. “We are pleased to have been issued this patent that further secures [intellectual property] protection for bitopertin for the treatment of erythropoietic protoporphyria as…

BEACON, AURORA trials of bitopertin complete enrollment

The BEACON and AURORA Phase 2 clinical trials testing the investigational oral therapy bitopertin in people with erythropoietic porphyrias have completed enrollment, according to an update from therapy developer Disc Medicine. BEACON (ACTRN12622000799752), which began enrolling adults with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) and X-linked protoporphyria (XLP) at sites…

Patient Day is part of International Porphyrias Symposium 2023

The International Porphyrias Symposium 2023, where experts discuss the latest research into porphyria, will be held later this week and will feature a day dedicated to people with the disease. The symposium, which is designed for clinicians who care for people with porphyria and scientists conducting research related…