CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Jan. 15 (UPI) -- U.S. firm Genzyme said a new study shows its drug Cerezyme improves bone density in patients with type 1 Gaucher disease.
The company said the study -- published in the January issue of the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research -- showed that long-term use of Cerezyme (imiglucerase for injection) significantly improves bone mineral density in this patient group in a dose-dependent manner.
Genzyme said the data comes from the "largest-ever" retrospective analysis of more than 500 patients participating in the International Collaborative Gaucher Group (ICGG) Gaucher Registry.
The study compared the outcomes of 342 patients with Type 1 Gaucher disease who received treatment with Cerezyme to 160 patients who were not treated. All of the patients had bone mineral density significantly below normal at baseline, the company said.
Cerezyme is an enzyme replacement therapy and is currently the standard of care for patients with Type 1 Gaucher disease.
Patients with the disease are at a higher risk for developing bone disorders, including osteopenia, osteoporosis and fractures, Genzyme said.
