Amino acid therapy for Mitochondrial ARS deficiencies (AT MARS)

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    An Open-label Phase 1/2 historical controlled study, evaluating the safety and efficacy of amino acid therapy in children and adolescents with mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (ARS) deficiencies

  • IRAS ID

    344709

  • Contact name

    Srivdya Sreekantam

  • Contact email

    ssreekantam1@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    3 years, 0 months, 1 days

  • Research summary

    Aminoacyl RNA Synthetase (ARS) deficiencies are severe multi-organ diseases with limited treatment options.
    The ARS function is important in the cytosol and mitochondria for protein translation.
    ARS deficiencies cause severe symptoms in various organs, especially in the first year of life and during infections and may lead to death. Amino acid supplementation can lead to improved protein translation by enhancing aminoacylation. This may benefit patients in terms of growth, development, and coping with infections.
    This is a historical controlled study of amino acid supplementation in paediatric patients with mitochondrial ARS deficiencies.
    We will study the safety and tolerability of amino acid supplementation and its impact on overall quality of life, growth, clinical symptoms, infections and neurodevelopmental outcome.

  • REC name

    Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    25/YH/0235

  • Date of REC Opinion

    6 Nov 2025

  • REC opinion

    Unfavourable Opinion