Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42194135›Full record

ArticleChildren (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Pegzilarginase in Arginase 1 Deficiency: Clinical and Biochemical Effects of Treatment Initiation, Discontinuation and Re-Initiation.

Martha Caterina Faraguna, Viola Crescitelli, Roberta Pretese, Maria Valvassori Bolgè, Vera Marchetti, Giusi Sgroi, Stefania Sala, Silvia Gigante, Cristina Bonfanti, Adriana Balduzzi and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Children (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Martha Caterina FaragunaPediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy.ORCID 0000-0003-3426-2749
Viola CrescitelliPediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy.
Roberta PretesePediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy.ORCID 0009-0006-6713-8030
Maria Valvassori BolgèPediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy.
Vera MarchettiPediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy.
Giusi SgroiPediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy.
Stefania SalaPediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy.
Silvia GigantePediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy.ORCID 0009-0007-4035-9017
Cristina BonfantiPediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy.ORCID 0009-0000-4415-0324
Adriana BalduzziPediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy.
Serena GasperiniPediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS San Gerardo dei Tintori, 20900 Monza, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-8743-4407

Funding

Ministero della Salute Ricerca Corrente
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundArginase 1 deficiency (ARG1-D) is an ultra-rare urea cycle disorder characterized by hyperargininemia and progressive neurological impairment, including spasticity, loss of motor function, and reduced quality of life. Conventional management based on dietary protein restriction and ammonia scavengers rarely achieves adequate metabolic control or prevents neurological deterioration. Pegzilarginase, a recombinant human arginase 1 enzyme, is the first disease-modifying therapy for ARG1-D.

methodsWe report the first Italian real-world experience with pegzilarginase in three pediatric patients with genetically confirmed ARG1-D enrolled in the phase 3 PEACE trial. Clinical, biochemical, functional, nutritional and quality-of-life data were retrospectively collected over a long-term follow-up (2003-2025). Outcomes were evaluated across three phases: treatment initiation (Start), a 13-month treatment interruption due to trial closure (Stop), and therapy re-initiation through an early access program (Restart).

resultsPegzilarginase rapidly normalized plasma arginine levels and was associated with improvements in motor function, spasticity, walking endurance, dietary protein tolerance, bone mineral density, and quality of life. During treatment interruption, all patients experienced biochemical worsening and clinical deterioration, including increased spasticity, reduced mobility, and emotional distress. Re-initiation of pegzilarginase restored metabolic control and led to progressive neurological and functional recovery, including partial reversal of long-standing motor deficits.

conclusionsThis real-world experience supports pegzilarginase as a disease-modifying therapy for ARG1-D. Sustained normalization of plasma arginine, rather than subthreshold biochemical control, correlates with functional and neurological improvement and may partially reverse non-lesional metabolic brain injury. Early initiation of pegzilarginase, including in newborn-screened patients, may further modify the natural history of ARG1-D.

Indexed as

arginase 1 deficiencypegzilarginaseprogressive spasticityrecombinant human arginase 1 enzymeurea cycle disorder

Identifiers

PMID42194135
PMCPMC13204039

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.