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Vosoritide, sold under the brand name Voxzogo, is a medication used for the treatment of achondroplasia, a genetic condition that causes severely short stature and disproportionate growth.
Read the full article on WikipediaAchondroplasia Clinical criteria: Treatment Phase: Initial treatment Patient must have a diagnosis of achondroplasia, confirmed by appropriate genetic testing, AND Patient must not have evidence of growth plate closure demonstrated by at least one of the following: i) bilateral lower extremity X-rays (proximal tibia, distal femur) taken within 6 months of this application if puberty has commenced; ii) bilateral lower extremity X-rays (proximal tibia, distal femur) taken within 2 years of commencing treatment if puberty has not commenced; iii) an annual growth velocity of greater than 1.5 cm/year as assessed over a period of at least 6 months. Treatment criteria: Must be treated by a medical specialist, experienced in the management of achondroplasia; OR Must be treated by a paediatrician in consultation with a medical specialist experienced in the management of achondroplasia. At the time of authority application, medical practitioners must request the appropriate number of vials of appropriate strength(s) to provide sufficient drug, based on the weight of the patient, adequate for 4 weeks, according to the specified dosage in the approved Product Information (PI). A separate authority prescription form must be completed for each strength requested. Up to a maximum of 5 repeats will be authorised. Appropriate genetic testing constitutes testing for FGFR3 gene mutation. In patients where puberty has not commenced, radiographic evidence that epiphyses have not closed must be obtained within 2 years of commencing treatment with vosoritide. X-rays and dates (date commenced treatment and date of X-ray) must be documented in the patient's medical records. Additional radiographic evidence is not required until patient has begun puberty. In patients where puberty has commenced, radiographic evidence that epiphyses have not closed must be obtained within 6 months of completing an authority application for vosoritide. X-ray and date taken must be documented in the patient's medical records.
“Vosoritide works by binding to a receptor (target) called natriuretic peptide receptor type B (NPR-B), which reduces the activity of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3). FGFR3 is a receptor that normally down-regulates cartilage and bone growth when activated by one of the proteins known as acidic and basic fibroblast growth factor. It does so by inhibiting the development (cell proliferation and differentiation) of chondrocytes, the cells that produce and maintain the cartilaginous matrix which is also necessary for bone growth. Children with achondroplasia have one of several possible FGFR3 mutations resulting in constitutive (permanent) activity of this receptor, resulting in overall reduced chondrocyte activity and thus bone growth.”
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