Treatments
There is currently no cure for the disease and nothing that can slow its progression. As this time, treatment are directed only toward partially alleviating some symptoms as they appear. Because A-T is a rare, "orphan" disease, very little research data is available that may help these children. Physical, occupational and speech therapy are used to help maintain their comfort and flexibility.
But one of the most serious underlying problems of A-T cells is the inefficient repair of DNA damage, an antioxidant like alphalipoic acid (ALA) can be prescribed to minimize the amount of DNA damage. Severe immunodeficiencies can be treated with intravenous immunoglobulin. These supportive treatments can greatly improve the quality of life for a patient.
Because A-T patients are at an increased risk of developing cancer, any suggestive signs or symptoms should be quickly investigated so that an early diagnosis can be made and treatment initiated. Because the cells of A-T patients are extremely sensitive to the effects of ionizing radiation (such as X-rays), radiation therapy of cancer is dangerous and generally to be avoided. Radiological procedures, including dental X-rays, should be used only when no other diagnostic procedure is available. A careful record should be kept of each radiological procedure and the approximate dose of radiation that was received.
Although there is as yet no medicine that will reverse the progression of this disorder, drogs have been identified in the laboratory that can induce A-T cells with certain types of mutations to make ATM protein. However, these drugs have unacceptable side effects and new drugs are being pursued and tested.