News

A new method using DNA isolated from a blood sample was far more sensitive in detecting large mutations causing Duchenne muscular dystrophy than currently used genetic diagnostics tools, according to a new study. The next-generation mapping method, using the Bionano Genomics platform, has the potential to replace less sensitive…

Children’s National Health System no longer treats just kids. Its Rare Disease Institute, launched in April 2017, has partnered with the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) to become the first of many U.S. “centers of excellence” to look after patients with rare diseases, regardless of age. The effort…

Sarepta Therapeutics is working with Duke University’s biomedical engineering program program on gene editing therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The editing approach the partners are using is called CRISPR/Cas9. It can correct mutations by removing regions of a gene that contain abnormal material. Removing the region restores the function of the protein that…

Infection by the influenza virus, commonly known as the flu, was found to contribute to muscle degeneration in a zebrafish model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Scientists often use zebrafish in research due to their genetic structure, which is similar to that of humans. The findings were reported in the…

The nonprofit CureDuchenne launched a new resource for the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) community called the CureDuchenne Cares Virtual Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Expo. CureDuchenne was founded in 2003 to help save the lives of those with DMD. Through CureDuchenne Cares, the organization has brought innovative…

Results from the HOPE-1 trial of Capricor Therapeutics’ cell-based therapy CAP-1002 to treat boys and men at advanced stages of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) will be released at a late-breaking session at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2017. In a session…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration decided not to approve Translarna (ataluren), by PTC Therapeutics, as a treatment for specific types of Duchenne muscular dystrophy caused by “nonsense” mutations. Although not entirely unexpected, the decision was disappointing to many in the Duchenne community. On Sept. 28, an FDA advisory…

Respiratory activity is significantly impaired in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), but a new mouse study suggests that enhancing breathing via the brain may improve respiratory capacity. The study “Sensorimotor control of breathing in the mdx mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy” was published in The Journal of Physiology. Respiratory failure…

Researchers have found that reducing levels of elevated sarcolipin protein may be a potentially effective therapeutic strategy in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. The study, “Reducing sarcolipin expression mitigates Duchenne muscular dystrophy and associated cardiomyopathy in mice,” was published in Nature Communications. Current therapies…

More therapies are now available for the 30 million or so people with rare diseases in the U.S. than ever before, and millions of dollars are being invested in clinical studies that will test new ways of evaluating — and advancing — potential treatments, including the use of natural history…