Gaucher disease is a rare lysosomal storage disorder caused by the deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCB). Due to the deficiency of functional GCB, glucocerebroside accumulates within the macrophages leading to cellular engorgement, organomegaly, and organ system dysfunction. Gaucher disease has been classified into 3 clinical subtypes based on the presence or absence of neurological symptoms and severity of neurological symptoms. Patients with type 2 Gaucher disease present with acute neurological deterioration, and those with type 3 Gaucher disease typically display a more sub acute neurological course; type 1 Gaucher disease, the most common form accounting for more than 90% of all cases, does not involve the central nervous system.~Velaglucerase alfa is an approved enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for pediatric and adult patients with type 1 Gaucher disease. ERTs have been proven to reduce organomegaly, improve hematological parameters and positively impact health-related quality of life; ERTs have not been shown to cross the blood brain barrier and as a result have shown limited ability to improve the neurological (Central Nervous System; CNS) manifestations associated with Gaucher disease.~This study will provide a basis for exploring the efficacy and safety of velaglucerase alfa in patients with type 3 Gaucher disease.
Gaucher disease is a rare lysosomal storage disorder caused by the deficiency of the enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GCB). Gaucher disease has been classified into 3 clinical subtypes based on the presence or absence of neurological symptoms and the severity of these neurological symptoms. Patients with type 2 Gaucher disease present with acute neurological deterioration, and those with type 3 disease typically display a more sub acute neurological course. Type 1 Gaucher disease, the most common form accounting for more than 90% of all Gaucher disease cases, does not involve the central nervous system.~The purpose of this clinical research study is to investigate the safety and effectiveness of velaglucerase alfa in patients with type 3 Gaucher disease.