Clinical and genetic analyses of 17 Chinese patients with glycogen storage disease type IXc

Abstract Background Glycogen storage disease type IXc (GSD IXc) is an ultra-rare disorder impairing liver glycogen degradation, caused by a defect in phosphorylase kinase (PhK) γ subunit in the liver encoded by PHKG2. We aim to investigate the clinical, biochemical, genetic, therapeutic, and follow-up characteristics of 17 GSD IXc patients. Methods Medical records were retrieved, focusing on clinical (height, complications etc.), biochemical [blood glucose, liver transaminases, chitotriosidase (Chit), etc.], genetic, treatment, and follow-up data for 17 patients (8 males, 9 females) with GSD IXc including 16 pediatric patients and one adult. Results Abdominal distension (16/16), hypoglycemia (16/16), muscular weakness (12/16), and short stature (5/16) were among the most common presenting features in 16 pediatric patients. At first visit, all 16 pediatric patients showed increased alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. Elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase, triglyceride, lactate, uric acid and total cholesterol were found in 15/15, 10/14, 7/13, 7/14 and 2/14 pediatric patients, respectively. Creatine kinase levels were within normal range in 14/14 patients. The adult patient was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis on her first visit at 36 years. Five out of sixteen pediatric patients achieved hepatomegaly remission after 8.6 ± 4.0 years of uncooked cornstarch (UCCS). The standard deviation scores for ΔHeight in 16 pediatric patients increased from − 1.76 ± 1.16 to 0.05 ± 1.02 (p < 0.0001). Significant improvements were observed in preprandial blood glucose levels and liver transaminases (all p < 0.05). Elevated Chit levels at an early stage of therapy decreased with UCCS [44.47 (9.52, 70.03) to 8.22 (6.37, 18.89) nmol/ml/h, p = 0.02]. One girl received liver transplantation and her clinical manifestations were greatly improved. Eighteen PHKG2 variants were identified, including twelve novel variants and one recurrent variant [c.469G > A, p.E157K (allele frequency: 11/34, 32.4%)]. The c.96-11G > A variant was found to cause a 9 bp retention on the right-hand side of intron 1. Patients with biallelic nonnull variants showed better response to UCCS therapy compared to those with null variants. Conclusion This study expanded the clinical and variant spectrums of GSD IXc. Chit might be used as a biomarker for monitoring the treatment. Differential response to UCCS therapy based on variant type suggest a genotype-phenotype correlation.