The Metabolic Treatabolome and Inborn Errors of Metabolism Knowledgebase therapy tool: Do not miss the opportunity to treat!

Berith M Balfoort, Eva M M Hoytema van Konijnenburg, Bibiche den Hollander, Jan C van der Meijden, Clara D van Karnebeek, Carlos R Ferreira, Wyeth W Wasserman, Annelieke R Müller, Brittany Hewitson, Brad Winter

Journal: Journal of inherited metabolic disease 2025;48(1):e12835

PMID: 39777714

Abstract

Inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) are rare genetic conditions with significant morbidity and mortality. Technological advances have increased therapeutic options, making it challenging to remain up to date. A centralized therapy knowledgebase is needed for early diagnosis and targeted treatment. This study aimed to identify all treatable IEMs through a scoping literature review, followed by data extraction and analysis according to the Treatabolome principles. Knowledge of treatable IEMs, therapeutic categories, efficacy, and evidence was integrated into the Inborn Errors of Metabolism Knowledgebase (IEMbase), an online database encompassing all IEMs. The study identified 275 treatable IEMs, 18% of all currently known 1564 IEMs, according to the International Classification of Inherited Metabolic Disorders. Disorders of fatty acid and ketone body metabolism had the highest treatability (67%), followed by disorders of vitamin and cofactor metabolism (60%), and disorders of lipoprotein metabolism (42%). The most common treatment strategies were pharmacological therapy (34%), nutritional therapy (34%), and vitamin and trace element supplementation (12%). Treatment effects were most commonly observed in nervous system abnormalities (34%), metabolism/homeostasis abnormalities (33%), and growth (7%). Predominant evidence sources included case reports with evidence levels 4 (48%) and 5 (12%), and individual cohort studies with evidence level 2b (12%). Our study generated the Metabolic Treatabolome 2024. IEMs are the largest group of monogenic disorders amenable to disease-modifying therapy. With drug repurposing efforts and advancements in gene therapies, this number will expand. IEMbase now provides up-to-date, comprehensive information on clinical and biochemical symptoms and therapeutic options, empowering patients, families, healthcare professionals, and researchers in improving patient outcomes.

© 2025 The Author(s). Journal of Inherited Metabolic Disease published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of SSIEM. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.

Address: Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Emma Center for Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; United for Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; United for Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Department of Pediatric Metabolic Diseases, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.; United for Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Department of Pediatrics, Amalia Children's Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.; Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Emma Center for Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; United for Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Laboratory of Genetic Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.; Department of Pediatrics, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Emma Center for Personalized Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; United for Metabolic Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.; Department of Human Genetics, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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