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Chen D, Ni J, Buu M. Genetic therapies and respiratory outcomes in patients with neuromuscular disease. Curr Opin Pediatr 2024; 36:296-303. [PMID: 38655811 DOI: 10.1097/mop.0000000000001352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Genetic therapies made a significant impact to the clinical course of patients with spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Clinicians and therapists who care for these patients want to know the changes in respiratory sequelae and implications for clinical care for treated patients. RECENT FINDINGS Different genetic therapy approaches have been developed to replace the deficient protein product in spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The natural history of these conditions needed to be understood in order to design clinical trials. Respiratory parameters were not the primary outcome measures for the clinical trials. The impact of these therapies is described in subsequent clinical trial reports or real-world data. SUMMARY Genetic therapies are able to stabilize or improve the respiratory sequelae in patients with spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Standardized reporting of these outcomes is needed to help inform the future revisions of clinical standards of care and practice guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Chen
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California, USA
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Landfeldt E, Aleman A, Abner S, Zhang R, Werner C, Tomazos I, Lochmüller H, Quinlivan R. Factors Associated with Respiratory Health and Function in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Systematic Review and Evidence Grading. J Neuromuscul Dis 2024; 11:25-57. [PMID: 37980679 PMCID: PMC10789346 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-230094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite advances in the medical management of the disease, respiratory involvement remains a significant source of morbidity and mortality in children and adults with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). OBJECTIVE The objective of this systematic literature review was to synthesize and grade published evidence of factors associated with respiratory health and function in DMD. METHODS We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for records of studies published from January 1, 2000 (to ensure relevance to current care practices), up until and including December 31, 2022, reporting evidence of prognostic indicators and predictors of disease progression in DMD. The quality of evidence (i.e., very low to high) was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) framework. RESULTS The bibliographic search strategy resulted in the inclusion of 29 articles. In total, evidence of 10 factors associated with respiratory health and function in patients with DMD was identified: glucocorticoid exposure (high- to very low-quality evidence), DMD mutations (low-quality evidence), DMD genetic modifiers (low-quality evidence), other pharmacological interventions (i.e., ataluren, eteplirsen, idebenone, and tamoxifen) (moderate- to very low-quality evidence), body mass index and weight (low-quality evidence), and functional ability (low-quality evidence). CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we identified a total of 10 factors associated with respiratory health in function in DMD, encompassing both pharmacological therapies, genetic mutations and modifiers, and patient clinical characteristics. Yet, more research is needed to further delineate sources of respiratory heterogeneity, in particular the genotype-phenotype association and the impact of novel DMD therapies in a real-world setting. Our synthesis and grading should be helpful to inform clinical practice and future research of this heavily burdened patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A. Aleman
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, The Ottawa Hospital, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - R. Zhang
- PTC Therapeutics Sweden AB, Askim, Sweden
| | - C. Werner
- PTC Therapeutics Germany GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - I. Tomazos
- PTC Therapeutics Inc, South Plainfield, NJ, USA
| | - H. Lochmüller
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, The Ottawa Hospital, Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - R.M. Quinlivan
- Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Institute of Neurology, National Hospital, London, UK
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Brown V, Merikle E, Johnston K, Gooch K, Audhya I, Lowes L. A qualitative study to understand the Duchenne muscular dystrophy experience from the parent/patient perspective. J Patient Rep Outcomes 2023; 7:129. [PMID: 38085412 PMCID: PMC10716079 DOI: 10.1186/s41687-023-00669-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a rare, severe, fatal neuromuscular disease characterized by progressive atrophy and muscle weakness, resulting in loss of ambulation, decreased upper body function, and impaired cardiorespiratory function. This study aimed to generate qualitative evidence to describe the primary symptoms and impacts of DMD in ambulatory and non-ambulatory patients as reported by patient/caregiver dyads. Information was also gathered on expectations for future DMD treatments. METHODS Forty-six dyads (caregiver and patients with DMD aged 4 to 22 years) participated in 60-min semi-structured video interviews. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Differences in experiences with DMD by ambulation status were examined. RESULTS Mean ages of ambulatory (n = 28) and non-ambulatory participants (n = 18) were 8.7 and 11.3 years, respectively, with an average age of diagnosis of 3.7 years (SD = 2.3). The primary symptoms reported by both groups were lack of strength (ambulatory: n = 28, 100.0%; non-ambulatory: n = 17, 94.4%) and fatigue (ambulatory: n = 24, 85.7%; non-ambulatory: n = 14, 77.8%). Physical function was the domain that was most impacted by DMD, with participants describing progressive decline of physical function due to loss of physical strength as the primary defining feature of the disease across all stages of ambulatory ability. For those who maintained ambulatory ability at the time of the interview, physical function impacts described impaired mobility (e.g., climbing stairs: n = 16, 57.1%; running: n = 13, 46.4%), impaired upper body function, in particular fine motor skills like holding a pen/pencil or buttoning clothes (n = 17, 60.7%), problem with transfers (e.g., getting off the floor: n = 10, 35.7%), and activities of daily living (ADLs; n = 15, 53.6%). For non-ambulatory participants, the functional impacts most frequently described were problems with transfers (e.g., getting in/out of bed: n = 13, 72.2%; getting in/out of chair or position in bed: both n = 10, 55.6%), impaired upper body function (reaching: n = 14, 77.8%), and ADLs (n = 15, 83.3%). Meaningful treatment goals differed by ambulatory status; for ambulatory participants, goals included maintaining current functioning (n = 20, 71.4%), improving muscle strength (n = 7, 25.9%), and reducing fatigue (n = 6, 22.2%). For non-ambulatory participants, these included increased upper body strength (n = 8, 42.1%) and greater independence in ADLs (n = 6, 31.6%). A preliminary conceptual model was developed to illustrate the primary symptoms and physical function impacts of DMD and capture their relationship to disease progression. CONCLUSION This study contributes to the limited qualitative literature by characterizing impacts of physical limitations and symptoms of DMD on disease progression and thus providing insights into the lived experience with DMD. Differences in treatment goals were also identified based on ambulatory status. Taken together, these findings can help inform patient-centered measurement strategies for evaluating outcomes in DMD clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Brown
- Fortrea Inc. (formerly Labcorp Drug Development Inc.), 9711 Washingtonian Blvd., Suite 800, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA
| | - Elizabeth Merikle
- Fortrea Inc. (formerly Labcorp Drug Development Inc.), 9711 Washingtonian Blvd., Suite 800, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA
| | - Kelly Johnston
- Fortrea Inc. (formerly Labcorp Drug Development Inc.), 9711 Washingtonian Blvd., Suite 800, Gaithersburg, MD, 20878, USA
| | - Katherine Gooch
- Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc., 215 First Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Ivana Audhya
- Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc., 215 First Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.
| | - Linda Lowes
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Dr, Columbus, OH, USA
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Pascoe JE, Zygmunt A, Ehsan Z, Gurbani N. Sleep in pediatric neuromuscular disorders. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2023; 48:101092. [PMID: 38065635 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2023.101092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is prevalent among children with neuromuscular disorders (NMD). The combination of respiratory muscle weakness, altered drive, and chest wall distortion due to scoliosis make sleep a stressful state in this population. Symptomatology can range from absent to snoring, nocturnal awakenings, morning headaches, and excessive daytime sleepiness. Sequelae of untreated SDB includes cardiovascular effects, metabolic derangements, and neurocognitive concerns which can be compounded by those innate to the NMD. The clinician should have a low threshold for obtaining polysomnography and recognize the nuances of individual disorders due to disproportionately impacted muscle groups such as hypoventilation in ambulating patients from diaphragm weakness. Non-invasive or invasive ventilation are the mainstay of treatment. In this review we explore the diagnosis and treatment of SDB in children with various NMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Pascoe
- Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States.
| | - Alexander Zygmunt
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Zarmina Ehsan
- Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Children's Mercy-Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, United States
| | - Neepa Gurbani
- Division of Pulmonary and Sleep Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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Birnkrant DJ, Black JB. Real world respiratory profiles and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Pediatr Pulmonol 2023; 58:3374-3376. [PMID: 37737458 DOI: 10.1002/ppul.26692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David J Birnkrant
- Department of Pediatrics, MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Jane B Black
- Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Alexander MS, Velinov M. DOCK3-Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorder-Clinical Features and Molecular Basis. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1940. [PMID: 37895289 PMCID: PMC10606569 DOI: 10.3390/genes14101940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The protein product of DOCK3 is highly expressed in neurons and has a role in cell adhesion and neuronal outgrowth through its interaction with the actin cytoskeleton and key cell signaling molecules. The DOCK3 protein is essential for normal cell growth and migration. Biallelic variants in DOCK3 associated with complete or partial loss of function of the gene were recently reported in six patients with intellectual disability and muscle hypotonia. Only one of the reported patients had congenital malformations outside of the CNS. Further studies are necessary to better determine the prevalence of DOCK3-associated neurodevelopmental disorders and the frequency of non-CNS clinical manifestations in these patients. Since deficiency of the DOCK3 protein product is now an established pathway of this neurodevelopmental condition, supplementing the deficient gene product using a gene therapy approach may be an efficient treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S. Alexander
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham and Children’s of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
- UAB Center for Exercise Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- UAB Civitan International Research Center (CIRC), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
- UAB Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics (CNET), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Milen Velinov
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Genetics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
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Karuppasamy M, Alexander MS. Restoration of brain dystrophin using tricyclo-DNA ASOs restores neurobehavioral deficits in DMD mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 32:841-842. [PMID: 37273785 PMCID: PMC10238456 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Muthukumar Karuppasamy
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Children’s of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Matthew S. Alexander
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Children’s of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- UAB Center for Exercise Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Department of Genetics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- UAB Civitan International Research Center (CIRC), at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
- UAB Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics (CNET), Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
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Heydemann A, Siemionow M. A Brief Review of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Treatment Options, with an Emphasis on Two Novel Strategies. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030830. [PMID: 36979809 PMCID: PMC10044847 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the full cloning of the Dystrophin cDNA 35 years ago, no effective treatment exists for the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) patients who have a mutation in this gene. Many treatment options have been considered, investigated preclinically and some clinically, but none have circumvented all barriers and effectively treated the disease without burdening the patients with severe side-effects. However, currently, many novel therapies are in the pipelines of research labs and pharmaceutical companies and many of these have progressed to clinical trials. A brief review of these promising therapies is presented, followed by a description of two novel technologies that when utilized together effectively treat the disease in the mdx mouse model. One novel technology is to generate chimeric cells from the patient’s own cells and a normal donor. The other technology is to systemically transplant these cells into the femur via the intraosseous route.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahlke Heydemann
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Center for Cardiovascular Research, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Maria Siemionow
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
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Mercuri E, Seferian A, Servais L, Deconinck N, Stevenson H, Ni X, Zhang W, East L, Yonren S, Muntoni F, Deconinck N, Van Coster R, Vanlander A, Seferian A, De Lucia S, Gidaro T, Brande LV, Servais L, Kirschner J, Borell S, Mercuri E, Brogna C, Pane M, Fanelli L, Norcia G, Muntoni F, Brusa C, Chesshyre M, Maresh K, Pitchforth J, Schottlaender L, Scoto M, Silwal A, Trucco F. Safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of eteplirsen in young boys aged 6–48 months with Duchenne muscular dystrophy amenable to exon 51 skipping. Neuromuscul Disord 2023; 33:476-483. [PMID: 37207382 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2023.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023]
Abstract
Eteplirsen is FDA-approved for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) in exon 51 skip-amenable patients. Previous studies in boys > 4 years of age indicate eteplirsen is well tolerated and attenuates pulmonary and ambulatory decline compared with matched natural history cohorts. Here the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of eteplirsen in boys aged 6-48 months is evaluated. In this open-label, multicenter, dose-escalation study (NCT03218995), boys with a confirmed mutation of the DMD gene amenable to exon 51 skipping (Cohort 1: aged 24-48 months, n = 9; Cohort 2: aged 6 to < 24 months, n = 6) received ascending doses (2, 4, 10, 20, 30 mg/kg) of once-weekly eteplirsen intravenously over 10 weeks, continuing at 30 mg/kg up to 96 weeks. Endpoints included safety (primary) and pharmacokinetics (secondary). All 15 participants completed the study. Eteplirsen was well tolerated with no treatment-related discontinuations, deaths or evidence of kidney toxicity. Most treatment-emergent adverse events were mild; most common were pyrexia, cough, nasopharyngitis, vomiting, and diarrhea. Eteplirsen pharmacokinetics were consistent between both cohorts and with previous clinical experience in boys with DMD > 4 years of age. These data support the safety and tolerability of eteplirsen at the approved 30-mg/kg dose in boys as young as 6 months old.
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