Myology research highlights

Teams of Ana Buj Bello (Genethon), Denis Furling (Institute of Myology) and Geneviève Gourdon (Imagine Institute) have made the proof-of-concept of a CRISPR-Cas9 approach in a mouse model of Steinert’s myotonic dystrophy, the most common neuromuscular disease in adults. Indeed, thanks to this genome editing approach, the expanded CTG triplet repeat in the DMPK gene, … [Read more]

Autosomal Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD) is caused by mutations in the lamin A/C gene (LMNA) encoding A-type nuclear lamins, intermediate filament proteins of the nuclear envelope. Classically, the disease manifests as scapulo-humero-peroneal muscle wasting and weakness, early joint contractures and dilated cardiomyopathy with conduction blocks; however, variable skeletal muscle involvement can be present. Previously, researchers … [Read more]

Biomarkers as parameters of pathophysiological conditions can be of outmost relevance for inflammatory myopathies. They are particularly warranted to inform about diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic questions. As biomarkers become more and more relevant in daily routine, this review focusses on relevant aspects particularly addressing myopathological features. However, the level of evidence to use them in … [Read more]

The objective of this study was to assess long-term safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and biochemical effect of ManNAc in subjects with GNE myopathy and identify clinical endpoints suitable for subsequent clinical trials. GNE myopathy is a rare, autosomal recessive myopathy caused by mutations in GNE, the gene encoding the rate-limiting enzyme in sialic acid biosynthesis. The … [Read more]

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of aceneuramic acid extended-release (Ace-ER), a treatment intended to replace deficient sialic acid, in patients with GNE myopathy. UX001-CL301 was a phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, international study evaluating the efficacy and safety of Ace-ER in patients with GNE myopathy. Participants who could walk ≥200 meters … [Read more]

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is a late-onset muscle disease affecting one per 80 000 of the general population characterized by profound dysphagia and ptosis, and limb weakness at later stages. Affected muscles are characterized by increased fibrosis and atrophy. Myostatin is a negative regulator of muscle mass, and inhibition of myostatin has been demonstrated to … [Read more]

Approval was recently granted for a new treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Given that the treatment is effective when administered early and the societal burden of SMA-related disability, the implementation of a newborn screening program is warranted. The authors describe the stepwise process that led them to launch a newborn screening program for SMA … [Read more]

Currently only 25-30% of patients with axonal forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) receive a genetic diagnosis. A team of clinicians aimed to identify the causative gene of CMT type 2 in 8 non-related French families with a distinct clinical phenotype. They collected clinical, electrophysiological, and laboratory findings and performed genetic analyses in four different French … [Read more]

Autoimmune Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic neuromuscular disease mainly due to antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) at the neuromuscular junction that induce invalidating muscle weaknesses. In early-onset MG, the thymus is the effector organ and is often characterized by B-cell infiltrations leading to ectopic germinal center (GC) development. The microRNA miR-150-5p has been … [Read more]

On May 24, the Food and Drug Administration approved Zolgensma®, a gene therapy drug for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy developed by AveXis (Novartis). Genethon, the AFM-Telethon laboratory, played a decisive role in the design of both the product and the route of administration of this first gene therapy for a neuromuscular disease, thanks … [Read more]