A method for the treatment of pompe disease using 1-deoxynojirimycin and derivatives

A combination therapy for use in the treatment of Pompe Disease, the combination therapy comprising a 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) derivative and acid α-glucosidase (Gaa), wherein the DNJ derivative comprises a compound of the formula:where R1 is H or a straight or branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl or aminoalkyl containing 1-12 carbon atoms, an aryl, alkylaryl, heteroaryl, or heteroaryl alkyl containing 5 - 12 ring atoms, where R1 is optionally substituted with one or more -OH, -COOH, -Cl, -F, -CF3,-OCF3, -O-C(=O)N-(alkyl)2; R2 is H; a straight or branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkylaryl, or alkoxyalkyl, containing 1 - 9 carbon atoms or aryl containing 5 - 12 carbon atoms, wherein R2 is optionally substituted with -OH, -COOH, -CF3, -OCF3 or a heterocyclic ring; and at least one of R1 and R2 is not H;or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,wherein the DNJ derivative is used for increasing the activity of Gaa enzyme in a cell, at a concentration at or below the IC50 value for inhibition of intestinal Gaa; and wherein the DNJ derivative is not 1-deoxynojirimycin or α-homonojirimycin.