News

Levels of a protein called creatine kinase (CK) are a valuable biomarker for advanced Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), but now researchers say it may also be a strong predictor of patients’ lung function. The study, “Correlation of Serum Creatine Kinase Level With Pulmonary Function in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy,” was…

Summit Therapeutics has completed patient enrollment for PhaseOut DMD, a Phase 2 clinical trial evaluating the utrophin modulator ezutromid to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). PhaseOut DMD (NCT02858362) aims to provide proof-of-concept for ezutromid through measuring certain endpoints related to muscle structure, health and function. The trial could potentially provide…

Increasing the levels of a muscle-inflammation-reducing hormone called adiponectin could help reverse the progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a study suggests. The article in the American Journal of Pathology was titled “Potential Therapeutic Action of Adiponectin in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.” Adiponectin can reduce acute and chronic muscle inflammation. Previous…

Solid Biosciences’ SGT-001 improved muscle activity in dogs with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), according to research the company presented at a Washington conference. Another finding of the two preclinical-trial studies was that SGT-001 increased the expression of microdystrophin, a form of the protein dystrophin found in muscle. Too little of…

Using glucocorticoid steroids once a week instead of once a day to slow the progression of muscular dystrophy (MD) could prevent downsides of the treatment, including accelerated muscle wasting, a study reports. Researchers at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University discovered that mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy fared better…

Acceleron Pharma said the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 2 clinical trial of ACE-083, its proprietary lead candidate drug ACE-083 to treat facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) — a genetic disease affecting 19,000 Americans for which no approved therapy yet exists. “ACE-083 has generated a strong data set in…

PTC Therapeutics announced that Emflaza (deflazacort), an approved treatment for all Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients regardless of mutation, will be available in a matter of weeks in the U.S., and this time around with a starting list price of $35,000 a year — for a child weighing 25 kilograms, or about…

PerkinElmer has developed an improved screening method to test whether newborns may have Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The test detects the levels of a specific form of a protein called creatine kinase (CK), a disease biomarker, using dried blood spots from a baby’s blood sample. A report on these findings, “Characterization…

Andrea Dalzell, Ms. Wheelchair New York 2015, is featured among the disability advocates who will appear at the United Spinal Association’s 6th Annual Roll on Capitol Hill. Advocates will speak directly with legislators on issues affecting independence and quality of life for members of the the…

Finding out your child has a neuromuscular disorder is an incredibly difficult time for the whole family. It’s perfectly normal to feel a range of emotions, from anger to guilt, depression to denial, as you come to terms with what the future holds. Many parents will go through a period…