Updated: Jul 14, 2009
Hunter syndrome, or mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II), is a member of a group of inherited metabolic disorders collectively termed mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs). The MPSs are caused by a deficiency of lysosomal enzymes required for the degradation of mucopolysaccharides or glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Eleven distinct single lysosomal enzyme deficiencies are known to cause 7 recognized phenotypes of MPS. All of the MPSs are inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion, except for Hunter syndrome, which is X-linked.
In the early 1900s, Gertrud Hurler and Charles Hunter first described patients with MPS, whose diseases now bear their names; subsequent MPSs have been assigned numbers and eponyms loosely associated with the chronology and origin of their report. MPS II was first described by Hunter in 1917. This X-linked disorder results from the deficiency of iduronate sulfatase and subsequent accumulation of heparan and dermatan sulfate.
Hunter, an internist in Canada, described a case of 2 brothers with what came to be called Hunter syndrome at the Royal Society of Medicine in London. In 1933, Binswanger and Ullrich coined the term dysostosis multiplex to describe the constellation of skeletal findings specific to patients with MPS and other lysosomal storage disorders. These included a large skull with a J-shaped sella, anterior hypoplasia of the thoracic and lumbar vertebral bodies, hypoplasia of the pelvis with small femoral heads and coxa valga, oar-shaped ribs (narrow at the vertebrae and widening anteriorly), diaphyseal and metaphyseal expansion of long bones with cortical thinning, and tapering of the proximal phalanges. However, this family of diseases was not described as the MPSs until 1952, when Brante isolated the stored mucopolysaccharides in these patients.
In 1957, Dorfman and Lorincz developed clinical assays to detect urinary mucopolysaccharides. The work of Neufeld et al from the late 1960s demonstrated that mucopolysaccharide accumulation in fibroblasts from patients with Hurler and Hunter syndromes could be corrected by co-culturing them with fibroblasts or tissue extracts from patients with a different MPS. This led to the purification and subsequent identification of each defective enzyme.
The MPSs share a chronic progressive course with multisystem involvement, several physical features, laboratory findings, and radiographic abnormalities; these include facial coarsening, hepatomegaly, excretion of urinary GAG fragments, and leukocyte inclusion bodies. Patients with Hunter syndrome are distinguished from patients with other MPSs because of the male dominant pattern due to the X-linked transmission. Females in whom preferential inactivation of the nonmutant paternal allele occurs can have features of Hunter syndrome. Also, corneal clouding is not seen in Hunter syndrome.
Incidence is unknown at present, but estimates may soon be available, following the institution of newborn screening for lysosomal storage disorders. Development of newborn screening strategies is underway.5
The estimated incidence of MPS type II widely varies. The estimated incidence is 1 case per 34,000 in Israel, 1 case per 111,000 in British Columbia, and 1 case per 132,000 in the United Kingdom.6,7,8 Recent studies from Germany and the Netherlands report an incidence of 1 case in 140,000-330,000 live births, and 1.3 cases per 100,000 male births.9
Two forms of Hunter syndrome are recognized: a severe form, designated as type A, and a milder form, designated as type B. These forms represent two ends of a clinical spectrum of severity. The distinction is clinical because IDS activity is equally depressed in the assay used in both forms of Hunter syndrome. In the more severe form, clinical manifestations become evident in the first few years of life, with the subsequent slow and systematic somatic and neurologic progression that ultimately leads to death by adolescence. The cause of death is frequently cardiorespiratory failure secondary to upper airway obstruction and cardiovascular involvement. Incidence of unexpected sudden death is about 11%.10
Type A MPS II is the more severe form and has clinical features very similar to those observed with Hurler syndrome, except that corneal clouding is not seen and clinical features do not progress as quickly as they do in Hurler syndrome. Development is delayed. These children frequently are deaf and may survive into the second and third decades of life.
Additional disease complications in older patients include carpal tunnel syndrome with entrapment of the medial nerve and a degenerative disease of the hips.
Children with type B MPS II resemble children with Hurler/Scheie (MPS IH/S) or Scheie syndromes (MPS IS). These children usually have normal intelligence but may have airway obstruction secondary to accumulation of mucopolysaccharide in the trachea and bronchi. They survive well into adulthood and may live into the seventh decade of life. Most of these patients develop cardiac valvular disease.
Hunter syndrome is panethnic and rare; however, a higher incidence has been noted in the Jewish population living in Israel.
Inheritance is X-linked recessive, and affected males do not usually reproduce. The disorder is occasionally diagnosed in females consequent to skewed X inactivation, with the active X carrying the mutant IDS allele.11
The severe form of Hunter syndrome is typically diagnosed in children aged 2-4 years. The mild form of Hunter syndrome may not be diagnosed until the teenage years or well into adulthood.
Both types A and B MPS II have deficient IDS activity and are retained as terms useful in clinically describing the extremes of a disease spectrum.
Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I H/S
Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IH
Mucopolysaccharidosis Type III
Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IS
Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII
Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency
Carrier status of the mother determines the recurrence risk to the family and can be accurately determined by molecular testing once the IDS mutation in the male proband is identified.
Although no curative treatment for lysosomal storage disorders is available, numerous treatment options are becoming available to improve the quality of life in these patients. The relevant enzyme (iduronate sulfatase [IDS] in the case of mucopolysaccharidosis type II [MPS II]) can be given in the form of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) or by bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Factors that affect outcome include the type of MPS, the donor genotype (in the case of BMT), and the age and degree of clinical involvement at the start of therapy or transplantation.
In order to identify individuals that might benefit from treatment before the onset of irreversible organ damage, newborn screening for these disorders is being developed.26 Gene therapy is a promising but inadequately developed modality of treatment. Difficulties with vector selection and efficiency of delivery persist; thus, this therapy is still in the early stages of development.
Idursulfase, a purified form of human iduronate sulfatase (IDS) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an orphan drug in July 2006. It is distributed as Elaprase (Shire Human Genetics Therapies, Inc). FDA approval was based on the study of 96 patients in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study over one year.30,31 This study demonstrated improvement in a 6-minute walk test and reduction in liver and spleen volumes and urinary glycosaminoglycan (GAG) levels.
The extent to which enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) delays disease progression and whether or not it can prevent premature death is still unknown. Severely affected patients were not enrolled, and thus the benefit to them remains to be determined. ERT does not enter the CNS and has no impact on cognitive function. Thus, the role of ERT in the management of Hunter syndrome is under debate.32
ERT is a life-long therapy that may improve the quality of life for patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (MPS II).
Purified form of human iduronate-2-sulfatase, a lysosomal enzyme. Hydrolyzes 2-sulfate esters of terminal IDS residues from the GAGs dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate in the lysosomes of various cell types. Indicated for MPS II (Hunter syndrome) because it replaces the deficiency of iduronate-2-sulfatase in this disease. The drug is continued throughout life, and, thus, both the time and financial commitment can be extensive. Administration should be done by a health care professional in an experienced infusion center.
0.5 mg/kg IV qwk; total volume typically infused over 1-3 h, although longer infusion time (up to 8 h) may be required because of infusion reactions; initiate at rate of 8 mL/h for first 14 min, if tolerated may increase by 8-mL/h increments q15min; not to exceed 100 mL/h;
If an infusion reaction occurs, infusion may be slowed, temporarily stopped, or discontinued for the visit, based on clinical judgment
<5 years: Not established
>5 years: Administer as in adults
None reported
Documented hypersensitivity
C - Fetal risk revealed in studies in animals but not established or not studied in humans; may use if benefits outweigh risk to fetus
Anaphylactoid reactions have occurred (additional monitoring required, especially for individuals with respiratory compromise); appropriate medical support should be available during infusion, and premedication with antihistamines, corticosteroids, or both recommended prior to infusion; common adverse effects include infusion-related reactions (eg, pyrexia, headache, arthralgia, pruritus, malaise, visual disturbance, musculoskeletal pain, urticaria); about 50% of patients in clinical studies produced anti-idursulfase IgG antibodies during treatment, and these patients had an increase in infusion reactions; the presence of antibodies on the effectiveness is unknown
Various complications may arise in the severe form of MPS II, including cardiac valvular disease and neurological complications33 .
Support groups can be a good source of information for families, some of which include the following:
Other sources of information include the following:
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Isogai K, Sukegawa K, Tomatsu S, et al. Mutation analysis in the iduronate-2-sulphatase gene in 43 Japanese patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter disease). J Inherit Metab Dis. Feb 1998;21(1):60-70. [Medline].
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mucopolysaccharidosis type II, Hunter syndrome, MPS II, type A MPS II, type B MPS II, iduronate sulfatase deficiency, lysosomal enzyme deficiency, dysostosis multiplex, lysosomal storage disorders, coarse facial features, corneal clouding, thickened skin, organomegaly, mental retardation, growth failure, skeletal dysplasia, upper airway obstruction, carpal tunnel syndrome, short stature, hyperactivity, progressive hearing loss, hepatomegaly, progressive retinal degeneration, recurrent ear infections, hydrocephalus
Nancy E Braverman, MS, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Human Genetics, McGill University
Nancy E Braverman, MS, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Society of Human Genetics, Society for Inherited Metabolic Disorders, and Society for the Study of Inborn Errors of Metabolism
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Vinayak Kottoor, MD, Resident, Department of Genetics, McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University Hospital
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Mary Kay Conover-Walker, MSN, PNP, Pediatric Nurse Practioner, Institute of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital
Mary Kay Conover-Walker, MSN, PNP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology and Association of Clinical Research Professionals
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Cydney L Fenton, MD, FAAP, Consulting Staff, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Children's Hospital Medical Center of Akron
Cydney L Fenton, MD, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Diabetes Association, Endocrine Society, and Lawson-Wilkins Pediatric Endocrine Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.
Karl S Roth, MD, Professor and Chair, Department of Pediatrics, Creighton University School of Medicine
Karl S Roth, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Nutrition, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Clinical Nutrition, American Society of Nephrology, Association of American Medical Colleges, Medical Society of Virginia, New York Academy of Sciences, Sigma Xi, Society for Pediatric Research, and Southern Society for Pediatric Research
Disclosure: MDS Pharma Salary Employment
Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Pfizer Inc Stock Investment from financial planner; Avanir Pharma Stock Investment from financial planner ; WebMD Salary and stock Employment and investment from financial planner
Margaret M McGovern, MD, PhD, Professor and Chair of Pediatrics, Stony Brook University, New York
Margaret M McGovern, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and American Society of Human Genetics
Disclosure: Genzyme Grant/research funds PI
Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, New York University School of Medicine
Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: Ambulatory Pediatric Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Society of Hospital Medicine
Disclosure: Baxter Honoraria Consulting
Bruce Buehler, MD, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Pathology and Microbiology, Executive Director, Hattie B Munroe Center for Human Genetics, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Bruce Buehler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association on Mental Retardation, American College of Medical Genetics, American College of Physician Executives, American Medical Association, and Nebraska Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.