A pharmacological profile of triheptanoin for the treatment of long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders.

INTRODUCTION

Long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders (LC-FAODs) are rare inherited metabolic defects that present across the lifespan with skeletal, cardiac, and hepatic complications due to deficiency of energy production. Historically, medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) were used in their management of LC-FAODs, but individuals still developed symptoms due to depletion of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle substrates.

AREAS COVERED

This review covers the pathophysiology of LC-FAODs, highlighting the rationale for the use of triheptanoin (Dojolvi®), an MCT consisting of three 7-carbon fatty acids, in the nutritional management of LC-FAODs.

EXPERT OPINION

Triheptanoin is an anaplerotic source of calories for treatment of LC-FAODs, providing a source of substrates to sustain the TCA cycle, gluconeogenesis, and energy production. Use of triheptanoin prior to its regulatory approval demonstrated significant clinical benefit. Clinical benefit was thereafter demonstrated in clinical trials, with a positive cardiac effect in a double-blinded, randomized controlled comparison to MCT, and improvement in major clinical events in open-label extension studies. Side effects of triheptanoin are primarily GI intolerance similar to conventional MCT oil. Use prior to onset of symptoms in severe disease is recommended. Its use is not limited to LC-FAODs with active studies looking at its potential benefit in other conditions.