A Century of Progress on Wilson Disease and the Enduring Challenges of Genetics, Diagnosis, and Treatment

oleh: Louis C. Penning, Marina Berenguer, Anna Czlonkowska, Kay L. Double, Petr Dusek, Carmen Espinós, Svetlana Lutsenko, Valentina Medici, Wiebke Papenthin, Wolfgang Stremmel, Jose Willemse, Ralf Weiskirchen

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2023-02-01

Deskripsi

Wilson disease (WD) is a rare, inherited metabolic disorder manifested with varying clinical presentations including hepatic, neurological, psychiatric, and ophthalmological features, often in combination. Causative mutations in the <i>ATP7B</i> gene result in copper accumulation in hepatocytes and/or neurons, but clinical diagnosis remains challenging. Diagnosis is complicated by mild, non-specific presentations, mutations exerting no clear effect on protein function, and inconclusive laboratory tests, particularly regarding serum ceruloplasmin levels. As early diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial to prevent progressive damage, we report here on the establishment of a global collaboration of researchers, clinicians, and patient advocacy groups to identify and address the outstanding challenges posed by WD.