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An autosomal recessive condition caused by mutation(s) in the CTNS gene, encoding cystinosin. It is a sub-type of cystinosis, in which accumulation of cystine in the kidney results in renal dysfunction.
Data assembled from 8 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 19, 2026, 11:54 AM UTC
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Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
Features include always present findings: Failure to thrive in infancy, Elevated leukocyte cystine, Short stature, and Aminoaciduria and others; and very common findings: Rickets, Failure to thrive, and Renal Fanconi syndrome. 70 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Kidneys and urinary system | 10 | Reduced kidney function (renal insufficiency), Low-molecular-weight proteinuria, Protein in the urine (proteinuria) |
Eyes | 7 | Recurrent corneal erosions, Damage to the retina (retinopathy), Retinal pigment epithelial mottling |
Growth and development | 5 | Failure to thrive in infancy, Short stature, Failure to thrive |
Hormones | 5 | Primary hypothyroidism, Male infertility, Diabetes mellitus |
Bones and joints | 5 | Hypophosphatemic rickets, Skeletal muscle atrophy, Delayed skeletal maturation |
Brain and nerves | 5 | Intellectual disability, Global developmental delay, Cerebral calcification |
Digestive system | 5 | Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, Enlarged liver (hepatomegaly), Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) |
Muscles | 4 | Myopathy, Skeletal muscle atrophy, Oral motor hypotonia |
Blood and immune system | 2 | Elevated leukocyte cystine, Enlarged spleen (splenomegaly) |
Skin | 2 | Hypopigmentation of the skin, Decreased sweating (hypohidrosis) |
Metabolism | 2 | Episodic metabolic acidosis, Metabolic acidosis |
Age of onset: infancy, childhood, adulthood, adolescence.
Although phenotypes may overlap, three clinical phenotypes of cystinosis are recognized: nephropathic (the most severe form that presents in infancy), later-onset (juvenile), and non-nephropathic (ocular) cystinosis .
The clinical characteristics of untreated nephropathic cystinosis include poor weight gain, growth deficiency, renal tubular Fanconi syndrome, renal glomerular failure, and non-renal involvement of a variety of tissues and organ systems. Treatment with cysteamine allows depletion of lysosomal cystine in most tissues. Although cysteamine does not cure the disease, it dramatically improves the overall prognosis and life span . Growth. Infants with untreated nephropathic cystinosis typically have normal birth measurements.
Source: GeneReviews — "Cystinosis"
CTNS encodes cystinosin, lysosomal cystine transporter (367 aa). Cystine/H(+) symporter that mediates export of cystine, the oxidized dimer of cysteine, from lysosomes. Highest expression in Testis (48.4 TPM) and Nerve Tibial (37.2 TPM).
Nephropathic cystinosis is associated with mutations in the CTNS gene on chromosome 17.
The CTNS protein participates in CTNS cotransports CySS-, H+ from lysosomal lumen to cytosol pathway.
CTNS is classified as a druggable target (Transporter category) with score 2.4.
Some genotype-phenotype correlations have been reported :
Truncating CTNS pathogenic variants and the 57-kb deletion result in nephropathic cystinosis when present in homozygous form .
Individuals with apparent residual activity (and lower levels of cystine accumulation in leukocytes) often have missense pathogenic variants in CTNS . Individuals with later-onset (juvenile) cystinosis or non-nephropathic (ocular) cystinosis generally have one severe CTNS pathogenic variant, typical for nephropathic cystinosis, and one mild pathogenic variant. The mild pathogenic variants include c.589GA (p.Gly197Arg) and c.853-3CG .
The pathogenic variant c.416CT (p.Ser139Phe) may cause later-onset (juvenile) phenotype when the other allele is a nonsense variant.
Source: GeneReviews — "Cystinosis"
Nephropathic cystinosis should be suspected in infants and young children with the following clinical, laboratory, and imaging features and family history.
Clinical features
Typically, birth weight and initial growth are normal. Poor weight gain and growth deficiency occurs by age six to 12 months.
Vomiting and feeding difficulties
Severe polyuria, polydipsia, and dehydration
Progressive rachitic skeletal changes; failure to walk at a normal age
Tetany
Corneal crystals, typically observed by slit lamp examination in most individuals by age 12 months and in virtually all individuals by age 18 months (See .)
Laboratory features
Source: GeneReviews — "Cystinosis"
Renal tubular Fanconi syndrome. Untreated nephropathic cystinosis is the most common identifiable cause of renal tubular Fanconi syndrome in childhood. Genetic disorders associated with renal tubular Fanconi syndrome are listed in . Table 2. Genetic Disorders Associated with Renal Tubular Fanconi Syndrome in the Differential Diagnosis of Cystinosis
Gene(s) | Disorder | MOI | Features of Disorder | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wilson disease | AR | Can manifest in individuals age 3 yrs to 70 yrs as hepatic, neurologic, or psychiatric disturbances, or a combination of these. Other multisystem involvement can include eyes (Kayser-Fleischer rings), hemolytic anemia, kidneys, endocrine glands, heart. |
Genetic testing for CTNS is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
Biomarker and diagnostic research for nephropathic cystinosis has been reported in the published literature.
1 FDA-approved treatment is available for nephropathic cystinosis, including CYSTEAMINE BITARTRATE (PROCYSBI, approved 2020).
Brand Name | Generic Name | Mechanism | Approved | Market Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
PROCYSBI | CYSTEAMINE BITARTRATE | — | 2020 | Available |
CYSTAGON | CYSTEAMINE BITARTRATE | — | 1994 | Available |
Expert guidance on the multidisciplinary management of cystinosis in adolescent and adult patients is available, including clinical recommendations [, , , ].
Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis
Table 3.
Cystinosis: Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment
| • Height weight, plotted on age-appropriate growth charts
Assessment of feeding nutrition
Lipid panel to assess nutritional status in those w/feeding difficulties requiring formula feeding by gastrostomy tube
|
| • Serum concentrations of creatinine, phosphate, bicarbonate, potassium
Urine concentrations of creatinine, phosphate, bicarbonate, sodium, potassium, magnesium, glucose, protein
Quantitative measurement of urine amino acids GFR or creatinine clearance test
| Measurement of urine amino acids helps to identify severity of renal Fanconi syndrome.1
Skeletal radiographs DXA scan to assess skeletal involvement/ rickets | Beginning at age ~2 yrs
Avoid the following:
Dehydration, which compromises remaining kidney function
Sun exposure, which can exacerbate photophobia
Source: GeneReviews — "Cystinosis"
Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for access to information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Note: There may not be clinical trials for this disorder.
Source: GeneReviews — "Cystinosis"
5 trials found
To monitor existing manifestations, the individual's response to supportive care, and the emergence of new manifestations, the evaluations summarized in are recommended. Clinical and laboratory examinations should be performed in individuals with nephropathic cystinosis according to disease severity and may include renal, endocrine, ophthalmologic, neurologic, and cardiac examinations . Table 6. Cystinosis: Recommended Surveillance
System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Growth/Nutrition | Height weight plotted on age-appropriate growth charts | Every 3-6 mos throughout childhood until growth is complete; Assess for difficulty w/chewing, aspiration, dysphasia, weight loss, mealtimes of long duration, respiratory symptoms incl respiratory infection. |
Kidney function | Nephrology eval incl kidney function tests (urine albumin; serum creatinine [to calculate eGFR]) | Every 3-6 mos based on severity of kidney impairment Metabolic |
(incl bone disease) | Metabolic specialist eval incl serum electrolytes, calcium, phosphate, serum alkaline phosphatase, intact parathyroid hormone | Annually or more frequently as needed Skeletal radiographs DXA scan to assess for rickets osteopenia |
Dental | Dental exam to assess for enamel defects caries | Every 6 mos Ocular manifestations |
Source: GeneReviews — "Cystinosis"
Phenotype severity distribution: 24 always present features, 3 very common features, 7 common features.
5 clinical trials registered, 4 recruiting. Interventions under study include other interventions and gene therapy. Pipeline includes 1 PHASE1. Research is sponsored by a mix of industry and academic institutions.
NCT ID | Title | Phase | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
[NCT01793168](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT01793168) | Rare Disease Patient Registry & Natural History Study - Coordination of Rare Diseases at Sanford | — | Sanford Health | RECRUITING |
[NCT06065852](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06065852) | National Registry of Rare Kidney Diseases | — | UK Kidney Association | RECRUITING |
[NCT06910813](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06910813) | DFT383 in Pediatric Participants With Nephropathic Cystinosis | PHASE1 | Novartis Pharmaceuticals | RECRUITING |
[NCT03919981](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03919981) | CYSTEA-BONE Clinical Study | — | Hospices Civils de Lyon | RECRUITING |
[NCT04246060](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04246060) | Observational Study to Assess the Quality of Life in Nephropathic Cystinosis Patients | — | Chiesi SA/NV | UNKNOWN |
165 publications have been identified in PubMed for nephropathic cystinosis. Research spans Review / Meta-Analysis (60%), Basic Science / Preclinical (13%), and Case Report / Case Series (10%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Research summaries | 99 | 60% |
Laboratory research | 21 | 13% |
Patient case studies | 16 | 10% |
Disease patterns and progression | 12 | 7% |
Testing and diagnosis research | 7 | 4% |
Other research | 4 |
Moussler B (2026). [PMID: 41369756](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41369756/). *Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany)*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Papazachariou A (2026). [PMID: 41128447](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41128447/). *Current opinion in clinical nutrition and metabolic care*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Ferri C (2026). [PMID: 41798958](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41798958/). *Front Immunol*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Golestaneh L (2026). [PMID: 41584270](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41584270/). *Kidney international reports*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Waghamare SR (2026). [PMID: 40875547](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40875547/). *QJM : monthly journal of the Association of Physicians*. [Diagnostic / Biomarker]
Abdallah ZY (2026). [PMID: 41914990](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41914990/). *Saudi journal of kidney diseases and transplantation : an official publication of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation, Saudi Arabia*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Carney EF (2026). [PMID: 41917490](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41917490/). *Nature reviews. Nephrology*. [Gene Therapy / Novel Therapeutics]
Anderson EN (2026). [PMID: 41468891](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41468891/). *American journal of human genetics*. [Diagnostic / Biomarker]
Buel KL (2026). [PMID: 41569909](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41569909/). *FP Essent*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Chang HE (2026). [PMID: 40369127](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40369127/). *Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany)*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Findings in common w/cystinosis are renal Fanconi syndrome occurrence of eye findings. The absence of CKD in Wilson disease distinguishes it from cystinosis. CLCN5 OCRL |
— |
Dent disease | XL | Disorder of proximal renal tubular dysfunction characterized by LMW proteinuria, hypercalciuria, at least 1 additional finding (e.g., nephrocalcinosis, nephrolithiasis, hematuria, hypophosphatemia, CKD). | Finding in common w/cystinosis is renal tubular dysfunction. FAH | — |
Tyrosinemia type I | AR | Usually presents in young infants w/severe liver involvement or later in the 1st yr w/liver dysfunction renal tubular dysfunction assoc w/poor growth rickets. G6PC1 SLC37A4 | — | — |
Glycogen storage disease type I | AR | Characterized by accumulation of glycogen fat in liver kidneys resulting in hepatomegaly nephromegaly. Severely affected infants present in neonatal period w/severe hypoglycemia due to fasting intolerance. | — | — |
Classic galactosemia | AR | Can result in feeding problems, poor growth, hepatocellular damage, bleeding, E coli sepsis in untreated infants. Both tubular reabsorption glomerular filtration can be impaired. | — | — |
OCRL | Lowe syndrome (oculocerebrorenal syndrome) | XL | In males, Lowe syndrome involves eyes (cataracts, glaucoma, decreased visual acuity), CNS (hypotonia, ID), kidneys (Fanconi syndrome). Slowly progressive glomerulosclerosis kidney failure are often noted after age 10 yrs. | Similar renal findings in Lowe syndrome cystinosis. |
Source: GeneReviews — "Cystinosis"
Renal US to assess for nephrocalcinosis |
| Dental eval to assess abnormal dental eruption | Beginning at age ≥1 yr
Eyes | Ophthalmologic eval incl:
Slit lamp exam of cornea for cystine crystals
ERG to assess retinal involvement
Fundoscopic exam to assess for intracranial hypertension
|
| Thyroid function studies to assess hypothyroidism |
Measurement of serum concentration of testosterone, FSH, LH | Beginning in pre- postpubertal males
Source: GeneReviews — "Cystinosis"
Clinical study results | 3 | 2% |
New treatment approaches | 3 | 2% |
AI-curated news mentioning nephropathic cystinosis
Updated Jun 15, 2026
New clinical practice recommendations have been published for the diagnosis and management of nephropathic cystinosis. These guidelines aim to improve patient outcomes through standardized care practices.
Recent research highlights advancements in gene therapy targeting nephropathic cystinosis. This innovative approach aims to address the underlying genetic causes of the disease, potentially improving patient outcomes.