Overview
Hunter Syndrome
Learn about the disease that drives our cause and affects the lives of our community.

THE BIG PICTURE
What is Hunter Syndrome?
Think of it this way: when your garbage can gets full, you take out the trash. But what if you can’t? What if bag after bag fills up, taking over your kitchen? Soon, it would be hard to walk around, cook, or clean. As the trash builds even higher, your kitchen becomes unusable. Similarly, children with Mucopolysaccharidosis Type II (MPS II), also known as Hunter syndrome, are unable to make the enzyme that takes care of our cellular garbage; their bodies becoming like the kitchen in this example.
Hunter syndrome is a rare genetic disease that is progressively debilitating, life-limiting and without a cure. It occurs almost exclusively in males and currently affects approximately 500 boys in the U.S. and less than 2,000 worldwide. Individuals with Hunter syndrome have a defect in the gene that normally causes the body to make the enzyme iduronate-2-sulfatase (I2S) – the “garbage man” – which is responsible for the breakdown of cellular waste called glycosaminoglycans or GAGs – the cell’s “garbage.” Without that necessary enzyme, the accumulation of these GAGs leads to progressive damage throughout the entire body.

Currently Approved Treatments
Elaprase (idursulfase)
Eloprase is an FDA-approved enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) that replaces the missing iduronate-2-sultatase enzyme, luis given rough weekly intravenous infusions and can help reduce many of the somatic (body-related) symptoms of Hunter syndrome. However, it does not cross the blood-brain barrier and does not treat cognitive symptoms
This treatment involves transplanting healthy donor stem cells into a child with Hunter syndrome. It may slow disease progression in some individuals, particularly when performed early. However, HSCT carries significant risks and is not widely used for Hunter syndrome. It is typically considered only in select cases and should be discussed thoroughly with a qualified medical team.
Emerging Therapies in Development
DNL310
RGX-121
JR-141
Autologous Gene-Edited Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant
Prenatal Enzyme Replacement Therapy
Common Terminology in Hunter Syndrome
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Signs and Symptoms
Learn about how Hunter syndrome presents itself and the signs and symptoms that are commonly seen through those affected.
