Phase 1 Study of Oral N-Acetylmannosamine in Primary Podocytopathies

Terminal sialic acid (SA) residues on glycoconjugates are essential for maintaining the glomerular filtration barrier's charge selectivity and podocyte ultrastructure. SA depletion affects key podocyte glycoproteins, contributing to podocytopathy and proteinuria. Glomerular hyposialylation is commonly seen in experimental podocytopathies and human renal biopsies. In nephrotic mouse models, oral administration of the metabolic SA precursor, N-acetylmannosamine (ManNAc) restored sialylation and reduced proteinuria, suggesting therapeutic potential.

In this single-center, single-arm, ascending dose phase 1 trial, we evaluated safety and pharmacokinetics (PKs) of oral ManNAc in primary podocytopathies (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02639260). Eligible participants had urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) > 1 g/g and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) > 15 ml/min per 1.73 m². Six subjects received a single 3g ManNAc dose followed by 5 days of 1.5 g twice-daily (BID) dosing. One subject received a single 6 g dose.

All enrolled participants had primary podocytopathy, with eGFR of 25 to 89 ml/min per 1.73 m² and UPCR of 1.1 to 9.21 g/g. ManNAc was well-tolerated without serious adverse events (AEs). Maximum plasma ManNAc concentration was reached within 2 to 4 hours postdose, with dose-dependent increases in plasma SA. Subjects with eGFR < 45 ml/min per 1.73 m² showed elevated maximum plasma ManNAc concentration and area under curve for both ManNAc and SA, reflecting reduced renal clearance. Proteinuria reduction of 12% to 52% (regression-adjusted mean 9.69%, P < 0.0001) was observed in subjects receiving ManNAc BID, correlating with glomerular hyposialylation in pre-study renal biopsies.

Oral ManNAc demonstrated short-term safety and increased plasma SA levels in podocytopathy subjects. Early efficacy signals suggest that proteinuria reduction may correlate with glomerular hyposialylation, identifying a potential treatment biomarker. A phase 2 trial (NCT06664814) is underway to assess long-term outcomes.