Glycogen Storage Disease Type 1b (GSD1b) is an ultra-rare inborn error of carbohydrate metabolism, characterized by low neutrophil count, neutrophil dysfunction, and the associated recurrent infections and inflammatory bowel conditions.~The current standard treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) only increases neutrophil count but does not improve neutrophil function. It achieves only partial clinical response. Fever, recurrent infections, and gastrointestinal upset remain significant problems. Long-term regular GCSF injection is needed to sustain the clinical effect, but is also associated with development of serious complications including massive spleen enlargement, acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.~Accumulation of a toxic metabolite called 1,5-anhydroglucitol-6-phosphate (1,5AG6P) is recently discovered as the cause of neutrophil problems in GSD1b. Empagliflozin, a sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor widely used as anti-diabetic drug, is known to promote excretion of 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5AG) in kidney. Since 1,5AG is the precursor of 1,5AG6P, empagliflozin also reduces the accumulation of 1,5AG6P. This is confirmed by animal studies that empagliflozin is shown to improve neutrophil count and function in GSD1b mouse model. Similar benefits are also recently reported in human cases (3 adults and 2 children with GSD1b), that GCSF dose could be significantly reduced or even stopped.~This is a prospective cohort study of children with GSD1b to examine their outcome after receiving empagliflozin treatment. The objective is to evaluate the short to medium term safety and efficacy of empagliflozin. The ultimate goal is to assess if SGLT2 inhibitor could be an effective alternative of GCSF with less side effects and risks, and to improve the clinical outcomes and quality of life for patients and families with GSD1b.
This is a prospective cohort study of children with GSD1b to evaluate their outcome after using empagliflozin for neutrophil defects.