NORTHERA (DROXIDOPA) for Dysautonomia in Pediatric Survivors of Menkes Disease

This proposal outlines a concerted effort to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the synthetic amino acid L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (Droxidopa) for the symptoms of dysautonomia that are common in pediatric survivors of Menkes disease. Classic Menkes disease is a fatal X-linked recessive disorder of copper homeostasis that results from variants in a copper transporter gene, ATP7A, and has an estimated birth prevalence of 1 in 35,000 males. The tragedy of Menkes disease involves the apparent good health of affected infants both prenatally and during the first 6-8 weeks of life, after which signs and symptoms of central nervous system (CNS) degeneration emerge. Our prior clinical research demonstrated that early diagnosis (within approximately 28 days of birth) and three years of daily treatment with subcutaneous injections of Copper Histidinate (NDA #34,166) can extend survival and markedly improve neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive outcomes. However, survivors of the illness's severe CNS effects often develop symptoms of dysautonomia, such as syncope, dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, abnormal sinoatrial conduction, nocturnal bradycardia, and bowel or bladder dysfunction beginning in middle childhood. These problems are caused by partial deficiency of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), which requires ATP7A to deliver Cu to intracellular compartments for incorporation as its enzymatic cofactor. DBH normally converts dopamine to norepinephrine, and similar symptoms are reported in individuals with congenital absence of DBH, an autosomal recessive disorder. The drug Droxidopa is a synthetic amino acid L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine and can be metabolized by the non-copper dependent enzyme DOPA decarboxylase to produce norepinephrine, bypassing the DBH enzymatic defect. The investigator has demonstrated neurochemical improvements in a mouse model of Menkes disease with this compound, as well as in adult Menkes disease survivors over age 18 in a detailed trial (NCT04977388). The investigator recently developed a new liquid suspension of Droxidopa to test smaller doses in pediatric survivors of Menkes disease in a clinical trial.

Inclusion criteria

• Children or adolescents with Menkes disease who survived beyond the expected natural history, attained independent ambulation, and attend school after early CuHis treatment for three years, who manifest clinical signs and symptoms of dysautonomia, e.g., orthostatic hypotension: specifically, a decrease in systolic or diastolic blood pressure of at least 20 or 10 mm Hg, respectively, within three minutes after standing, and/or chronic diarrhea: production of loose stools with or without increased stool frequency for more than four weeks immediately preceding enrollment.
• History of at least thrice weekly occurrence of dizziness/feeling lightheaded while standing upright and/or thrice weekly episodes of diarrhea or an urgent need to defecate after food ingestion for more than four weeks immediately preceding enrollment.
• Documented mutation in ATP7A.
• One parent must sign and date an Informed Consent Form (ICF) and patient must also assent.
• Age 7 to 17 years. (Enrollment will be staggered so that at least the first two children enrolled are aged 12-17 years.)
• Ability to adhere to the prescribed oral Northera (Droxidopa) regimen.
• Willingness to comply with all study visits and procedures.

Exclusion criteria

• Pre-existing liver (e.g., hepatitis, biliary atresia, cirrhosis) or kidney disease (i.e., calculated glomerular filtration rate <30 ml/min).
• History of age-adjusted stage 1 hypertension (≥ 95th percentile) [1] (Also see Attachment A).
• History of anti-hypertensive therapy, heart failure (or decreased ejection fraction), cardiac arrhythmia, or bleeding diatheses.
• Any disease or condition that, in the opinion of the Investigator, has a high probability of precluding the subject from completing the study or where the subject cannot or will not appropriately comply with study requirements.
• Any alpha-1 adrenoreceptor agonist, beta-blocker, DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor, midodrine, ephedrine, or any triptan medication as a concomitant medication.