When it comes to advances in hereditary ATTR amyloidosis (hATTR amyloidosis), biopharmaceutical company Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  (“Alnylam”) has been on top of its game. Alnylam helped develop Onpattro and is in the process of vutrisiran development; both therapies are intended to treat patients and improve quality of life. Onpattro is also the first FDA-approved RNA interference (RNAi) therapy within this realm. Now, Alnylam has released the STAR app, a digital tool to assist patients with symptom management. According to PharmaPhorum, the tool can help patients have better conversations with their physicians.

STAR App

The STAR app helps ensure that patients are monitoring and managing their conditions over time. As hATTR amyloidosis progresses, it is important for patients – and their doctors – to understand where they’re at in their journey. Ultimately, this helps to develop better therapeutic options and treatment plans. After tracking their symptoms, patients are able to speak directly about these to their doctors. This also helps doctors develop a more comprehensive understanding of hATTR amyloidosis and how their patients are impacted. Some symptoms that can be tracked include energy, changes in mood, or patients’ abilities in performing daily tasks.

Currently, the free STAR app can be downloaded on the App Store for iPad and iPhone, as well as through Google Play. The app is available in a number of different languages, including French, Danish, English, and Portuguese.

Hereditary ATTR Amyloidosis (hATTR)

Amyloidosis is a rare condition which occurs when amyloids, a type of abnormal protein, accumulate and form deposits throughout the body. For example, amyloid deposits may concentrate in the kidney or heart, causing stiffening and function loss. TTR gene mutations cause hereditary ATTR amyloidosis (hATTR amyloidosis). In this case, it causes abnormal transthyretin (TTR) protein. hATTR amyloidosis can be familial amyloid cardiomyopathy (FAC), wild-type ATTR amyloidosis, or familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). Symptoms and severity depend on which organs are affected. That being said, some possible symptoms include:

• Unintended weight loss
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Appetite loss
• Difficulty controlling bladder
• Insomnia
• Dizziness
• Peripheral and autonomic neuropathy
• Leg swelling
• Atrial fibrillation
• Chest pain with or without shortness of breath