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McDonald CM, Signorovitch J, Mercuri E, Niks EH, Wong B, Fillbrunn M, Sajeev G, Yim E, Dieye I, Miller D, Ward SJ, Goemans N. Functional trajectories before and after loss of ambulation in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and implications for clinical trials. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304099. [PMID: 38829874 PMCID: PMC11146704 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
This study examined functional trajectories of subjects during the transition phase between ambulatory and non-ambulatory Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) to inform clinical trial designs for new therapeutics. Ambulatory, pulmonary, and upper limb function leading up to loss of ambulation (LoA) and non-ambulatory measures following LoA were quantified; time ordering of pulmonary and upper limb milestones relative to LoA were determined; and the 10-second time threshold for 10-meter walk/run (10MWR) as a marker of approaching LOA was explored. Included in this analysis were 51 subjects aged between 7 and 18 years who experienced LoA during follow-up in the PRO-DMD-01 natural history study. Mean age at LoA was 12.7 (7.1-18.6) years. Mean annual rates of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) <80%-predicted and performance of upper limb (PUL) 1.2 total score were smaller before than after LoA, but not significantly (FVC %-predicted: 5.6% vs. 10.1%, p = 0.21; PUL 1.2 total score: 2.3 vs. 3.8 units, p = 0.20). More than half of patients experienced clinically significant deficits in FVC %-predicted and PUL 1.2 before experiencing LoA. Among subjects with baseline 10MWR >10 s, those with <1 year to LoA had similar mean ages but significantly worse mean ambulatory function at baseline compared to those with ≥1 year to LoA. Enriching DMD clinical trials for patients with declining pulmonary or upper limb function is achievable without restricting enrollment to non-ambulatory patients. The sequencing of LoA and initial deficits in pulmonary and upper limb function varied across patients and highlights the potential for composite outcomes or multi-outcome trial designs to assess disease-modifying therapies more comprehensively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig M. McDonald
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis Health System, Sacramento, California, United States of America
| | - James Signorovitch
- Analysis Group Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Collaborative Trajectory Analysis Project, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Child Neurology Unit e Centro Nemo, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Erik H. Niks
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Brenda Wong
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Mirko Fillbrunn
- Analysis Group Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gautam Sajeev
- Analysis Group Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Erica Yim
- Analysis Group Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ibrahima Dieye
- Analysis Group Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Debra Miller
- CureDuchenne, Newport Beach, California, United States of America
| | - Susan J. Ward
- Collaborative Trajectory Analysis Project, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Xie Z, Liu C, Sun C, Lu Y, Wu S, Liu Y, Wang Q, Wan Y, Wang Y, Yu M, Meng L, Deng J, Zhang W, Wang Z, Yang C, Yuan Y, Xie Z. A novel biomarker of fibrofatty replacement in dystrophinopathies identified by integrating transcriptome, magnetic resonance imaging, and pathology data. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2024; 15:98-111. [PMID: 38146684 PMCID: PMC10834313 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.13410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to analyse genome-wide transcriptome differences between Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) patients and identify biomarkers that correlate well with muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histological fibrofatty replacement in both patients, which have not been reported. METHODS One hundred and one male patients with dystrophinopathies (55 DMD and 46 BMD) were enrolled. Muscle-derived genome-wide RNA-sequencing was performed in 31 DMD patients, 29 BMD patients, and 11 normal controls. Fibrofatty replacement was scored on muscle MRI and histological levels in all patients. A unique pipeline, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis combined with Spearman's rank correlations (ssGSEA-Cor) was developed to identify the most correlated gene signature for fibrofatty replacement. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis, western blot analysis, and single-nucleus RNA-sequencing (snRNA-seq) were performed in the remaining patients to validate the most correlated gene signature. RESULTS Comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed that 31 DMD muscles were characterized by a significant increase of inflammation/immune response and extracellular matrix remodelling compared with 29 BMD muscles (P < 0.05). The ssGSEA-Cor pipeline revealed that the gene set of CDKN2A and CDKN2B was the most correlated gene signature for fibrofatty replacement (histological rs = 0.744, P < 0.001; MRI rs = 0.718, P < 0.001). Muscle qRT-PCR confirmed that CDKN2A mRNA expression in both 15 DMD (median = 25.007, P < 0.001) and 12 BMD (median = 5.654, P < 0.001) patients were significantly higher than that in controls (median = 1.101), while no significant difference in CDKN2B mRNA expression was found among DMD, BMD, and control groups. In the 27 patients, muscle CDKN2A mRNA expression respectively correlated with muscle MRI (rs = 0.883, P < 0.001) and histological fibrofatty replacement (rs = 0.804, P < 0.001) and disease duration (rs = 0.645, P < 0.001) and North Star Ambulatory Assessment total scores (rs = -0.698, P < 0.001). Muscle western blot analysis confirmed that both four DMD (median = 2.958, P < 0.05) and four BMD (median = 1.959, P < 0.01) patients had a significantly higher level of CDKN2A protein expression than controls (median = 1.068). The snRNA-seq analysis of two DMD muscles revealed that CDKN2A was mainly expressed in fibro-adipogenic progenitors, satellite cells, and myoblasts. CONCLUSIONS We identify CDKN2A expression as a novel biomarker of fibrofatty replacement, which might be a new target for antifibrotic therapy in dystrophinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihao Xie
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of NeurologyPeking University First HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Chengyue Sun
- Department of NeurologyPeking University People's HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Yanyu Lu
- Department of NeurologyPeking University First HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Shiyi Wu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yilin Liu
- Department of PathologyPeking Union Medical College HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of NeurologyPeking University First HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Yalan Wan
- Department of NeurologyPeking University First HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Yikang Wang
- Department of NeurologyPeking University First HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Meng Yu
- Department of NeurologyPeking University First HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Lingchao Meng
- Department of NeurologyPeking University First HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Jianwen Deng
- Department of NeurologyPeking University First HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of NeurologyPeking University First HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Zhaoxia Wang
- Department of NeurologyPeking University First HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Chunxia Yang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Yun Yuan
- Department of NeurologyPeking University First HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Zhiying Xie
- Department of NeurologyPeking University First HospitalBeijingChina
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Muntoni F, Byrne BJ, McMillan HJ, Ryan MM, Wong BL, Dukart J, Bansal A, Cosson V, Dreghici R, Guridi M, Rabbia M, Staunton H, Tirucherai GS, Yen K, Yuan X, Wagner KR. The Clinical Development of Taldefgrobep Alfa: An Anti-Myostatin Adnectin for the Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Neurol Ther 2024; 13:183-219. [PMID: 38190001 PMCID: PMC10787703 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-023-00570-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic muscle disorder that manifests during early childhood and is ultimately fatal. Recently approved treatments targeting the genetic cause of DMD are limited to specific subpopulations of patients, highlighting the need for therapies with wider applications. Pharmacologic inhibition of myostatin, an endogenous inhibitor of muscle growth produced almost exclusively in skeletal muscle, has been shown to increase muscle mass in several species, including humans. Taldefgrobep alfa is an anti-myostatin recombinant protein engineered to bind to and block myostatin signaling. Preclinical studies of taldefgrobep alfa demonstrated significant decreases in myostatin and increased lower limb volume in three animal species, including dystrophic mice. METHODS This manuscript reports the cumulative data from three separate clinical trials of taldefgrobep alfa in DMD: a phase 1 study in healthy adult volunteers (NCT02145234), and two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in ambulatory boys with DMD-a phase 1b/2 trial assessing safety (NCT02515669) and a phase 2/3 trial including the North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) as the primary endpoint (NCT03039686). RESULTS In healthy adult volunteers, taldefgrobep alfa was generally well tolerated and resulted in a significant increase in thigh muscle volume. Treatment with taldefgrobep alfa was associated with robust dose-dependent suppression of free myostatin. In the phase 1b/2 trial, myostatin suppression was associated with a positive effect on lean body mass, though effects on muscle mass were modest. The phase 2/3 trial found that the effects of treatment did not meet the primary endpoint pre-specified futility analysis threshold (change from baseline of ≥ 1.5 points on the NSAA total score). CONCLUSIONS The futility analysis demonstrated that taldefgrobep alfa did not result in functional change for boys with DMD. The program was subsequently terminated in 2019. Overall, there were no safety concerns, and no patients were withdrawn from treatment as a result of treatment-related adverse events or serious adverse events. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT02145234, NCT02515669, NCT03039686.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Muntoni
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Hugh J McMillan
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Monique M Ryan
- Royal Children's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Brenda L Wong
- University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Juergen Dukart
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Brain and Behaviour (INM-7), Research Centre Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | - Roxana Dreghici
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland
- Solid Biosciences Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Karl Yen
- Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, CA, USA
- Sanofi, Paris, France
| | | | - Kathryn R Wagner
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland.
- The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Durairaj C, Bhattacharya I. Challenges, approaches and enablers: effectively triangulating towards dose selection in pediatric rare diseases. J Pharmacokinet Pharmacodyn 2023; 50:445-459. [PMID: 37296230 DOI: 10.1007/s10928-023-09868-6] [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: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Dose selection is an integral part of a molecule's journey to become medicine. On top of typical challenges faced in dose selection for more common diseases, pediatric rare disease has additional unique challenges due to the combination of 'rare' and 'pediatric' populations. Using the central theme of maximizing 'relevant' information to overcome information paucity, dose selection strategy in pediatric rare diseases is discussed using a triangulation concept involving challenges, approaches and very importantly, enablers. Using actual examples, unique scenarios are discussed where specific enablers allowed certain approaches to be used to overcome the challenges. The continued need for model-informed drug development is also discussed using examples of where modeling and simulation tools have been successfully used in bridging available information to select pediatric doses in rare disease. Additionally, challenges with translation and associated dose selection of new modalities such as gene therapy in rare diseases are examined with the lens of continuous learning and knowledge development that will enable pediatric dose selection of these modalities with confidence.
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Naarding KJ, Stimpson G, Ward SJ, Goemans N, McDonald C, Mercuri E, Muntoni F. 269th ENMC international workshop: 10 years of clinical trials in Duchenne muscular dystrophy - What have we learned? 9-11 December 2022, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. Neuromuscul Disord 2023; 33:897-910. [PMID: 37926638 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2023.10.003] [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: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
There are multiple avenues for therapeutic development in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which are highlighted in the first section of this report for the "10 years of Clinical trials in DMD - What have we learned?" workshop. This report then provides an overview of the presentations made at the workshop grouped into the following core themes: trial outcomes, disease heterogeneity, meaningfulness of outcomes and the utility of real-world data in trials. Finally, we present the consensus that was achieved at the workshop on the learning points from 10 years of clinical trials in DMD, and possible action points from these. This includes further work in expanding the scope and range of trial outcomes and assessing the efficacy of new trial structures for DMD. We also highlight several points which should be addressed during future interactions with regulators, such as clinical meaningfulness and the use of real-world data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin J Naarding
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Duchenne Center Netherlands, the Netherlands
| | - Georgia Stimpson
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, London, UK
| | - Susan J Ward
- Collaborative Trajectory Analysis Project (cTAP), United States
| | - Nathalie Goemans
- University Hospitals Leuven, Dept of Child Neurology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Craig McDonald
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in Sacramento, University of California, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University, Rome, Italy; Centro Clinico Nemo, U.O.C. Neuropsichiatria Infantile Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, London, UK; National Institute for Health Research Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK.
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Lindqvist J, Granzier H. Pharmacological Inhibition of Myostatin in a Mouse Model of Typical Nemaline Myopathy Increases Muscle Size and Force. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15124. [PMID: 37894805 PMCID: PMC10606666 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nemaline myopathy is one of the most common non-dystrophic congenital myopathies. Individuals affected by this condition experience muscle weakness and muscle smallness, often requiring supportive measures like wheelchairs or respiratory support. A significant proportion of patients, approximately one-third, exhibit compound heterozygous nebulin mutations, which usually give rise to the typical form of the disease. Currently, there are no approved treatments available for nemaline myopathy. Our research explored the modulation of myostatin, a negative regulator of muscle mass, in combating the muscle smallness associated with the disease. To investigate the effect of myostatin inhibition, we employed a mouse model with compound heterozygous nebulin mutations that mimic the typical form of the disease. The mice were treated with mRK35, a myostatin antibody, through weekly intraperitoneal injections of 10 mg/kg mRK35, commencing at two weeks of age and continuing until the mice reached four months of age. The treatment resulted in an increase in body weight and an approximate 20% muscle weight gain across most skeletal muscles, without affecting the heart. The minimum Feret diameter of type IIA and IIB fibers exhibited an increase in compound heterozygous mice, while only type IIB fibers demonstrated an increase in wild-type mice. In vitro mechanical experiments conducted on intact extensor digitorum longus muscle revealed that mRK35 augmented the physiological cross-sectional area of muscle fibers and enhanced absolute tetanic force in both wild-type and compound heterozygous mice. Furthermore, mRK35 administration improved grip strength in treated mice. Collectively, these findings indicate that inhibiting myostatin can mitigate the muscle deficits in nebulin-based typical nemaline myopathy, potentially serving as a much-needed therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henk Granzier
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA;
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Engelke K, Chaudry O, Gast L, Eldib MAB, Wang L, Laredo JD, Schett G, Nagel AM. Magnetic resonance imaging techniques for the quantitative analysis of skeletal muscle: State of the art. J Orthop Translat 2023; 42:57-72. [PMID: 37654433 PMCID: PMC10465967 DOI: 10.1016/j.jot.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the dominant 3D imaging modality to quantify muscle properties in skeletal muscle disorders, in inherited and acquired muscle diseases, and in sarcopenia, in cachexia and frailty. Methods This review covers T1 weighted and Dixon sequences, introduces T2 mapping, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and non-proton MRI. Technical concepts, strengths, limitations and translational aspects of these techniques are discussed in detail. Examples of clinical applications are outlined. For comparison 31P-and 13C-MR Spectroscopy are also addressed. Results MRI technology provides a rich toolset to assess muscle deterioration. In addition to classical measures such as muscle atrophy using T1 weighted imaging and fat infiltration using Dixon sequences, parameters characterizing inflammation from T2 maps, tissue sodium using non-proton MRI techniques or concentration or fiber architecture using diffusion tensor imaging may be useful for an even earlier diagnosis of the impairment of muscle quality. Conclusion Quantitative MRI provides new options for muscle research and clinical applications. Current limitations that also impair its more widespread use in clinical trials are lack of standardization, ambiguity of image segmentation and analysis approaches, a multitude of outcome parameters without a clear strategy which ones to use and the lack of normal data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus Engelke
- Department of Medicine III, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Institute of Medical Physics (IMP), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Henkestr. 91, 91052, Erlangen, Germany
- Clario Inc, Germany
| | - Oliver Chaudry
- Department of Medicine III, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lena Gast
- Institute of Radiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, Maximiliansplatz 3, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Ling Wang
- Department of Radiology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jean-Denis Laredo
- Service d’Imagerie Médicale, Institut Mutualiste Montsouris & B3OA, UMR CNRS 7052, Inserm U1271 Université de Paris-Cité, Paris, France
| | - Georg Schett
- Department of Medicine III, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, University Hospital Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Armin M. Nagel
- Institute of Radiology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), University Hospital Erlangen, Maximiliansplatz 3, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
- Division of Medical Physics in Radiology, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
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Lee SJ, Bhasin S, Klickstein L, Krishnan V, Rooks D. Challenges and Future Prospects of Targeting Myostatin/Activin A Signaling to Treat Diseases of Muscle Loss and Metabolic Dysfunction. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2023; 78:32-37. [PMID: 36738276 PMCID: PMC10272974 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glad033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the past 25 years, considerable progress has been made in terms of elucidating the regulatory and signaling mechanisms underlying the control of skeletal muscle mass by myostatin and other secreted proteins belonging to the transforming growth factor-β superfamily. Preclinical studies demonstrating the potential benefits of targeting the activities of these ligands have fueled the development of numerous biologics capable of perturbing this signaling pathway and increasing muscle mass and function. These biologics have been tested in numerous clinical trials for a wide range of indications characterized by muscle loss and excess adiposity. Here, we review the results of these trials and discuss some of the challenges and future prospects for targeting this signaling pathway to treat muscle and metabolic diseases. Myostatin inhibitors may improve metabolic outcomes by increasing muscle mass, and metabolic disorders may be attractive potential indications for these molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se-Jin Lee
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Shalender Bhasin
- Research Program in Men’s Health: Aging and Metabolism, Boston Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Daniel Rooks
- Translational Medicine, Novartis Institute for BioMedical Research, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Jang JY, Kim D, Kim ND. Pathogenesis, Intervention, and Current Status of Drug Development for Sarcopenia: A Review. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1635. [PMID: 37371730 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11061635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Sarcopenia refers to the loss of muscle strength and mass in older individuals and is a major determinant of fall risk and impaired ability to perform activities of daily living, often leading to disability, loss of independence, and death. Owing to its impact on morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expenditure, sarcopenia in the elderly has become a major focus of research and public policy debates worldwide. Despite its clinical importance, sarcopenia remains under-recognized and poorly managed in routine clinical practice, partly owing to the lack of available diagnostic testing and uniform diagnostic criteria. Since the World Health Organization and the United States assigned a disease code for sarcopenia in 2016, countries worldwide have assigned their own disease codes for sarcopenia. However, there are currently no approved pharmacological agents for the treatment of sarcopenia; therefore, interventions for sarcopenia primarily focus on physical therapy for muscle strengthening and gait training as well as adequate protein intake. In this review, we aimed to examine the latest information on the epidemiology, molecular mechanisms, interventions, and possible treatments with new drugs for sarcopenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Yoon Jang
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Drug Development, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghwan Kim
- Functional Food Materials Research Group, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-gun 55365, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam Deuk Kim
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Research Institute for Drug Development, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
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Abstract
Myostatin (GDF-8) was discovered 25 years ago as a new transforming growth factor-β family member that acts as a master regulator of skeletal muscle mass. Myostatin is made by skeletal myofibers, circulates in the blood, and acts back on myofibers to limit growth. Myostatin appears to have all of the salient properties of a chalone, which is a term proposed over a half century ago to describe hypothetical circulating, tissue-specific growth inhibitors that control tissue size. The elucidation of the molecular, cellular, and physiological mechanisms underlying myostatin activity suggests that myostatin functions as a negative feedback regulator of muscle mass and raises the question as to whether this type of chalone mechanism is unique to skeletal muscle or whether it also operates in other tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se-Jin Lee
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.,The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA;
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Wojciechowski J, Purohit VS, Harnisch LO, Dua P, Tan B, Nicholas T. Population PK and PD Analysis of Domagrozumab in Pediatric Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Clin Pharmacol Ther 2022; 112:1291-1302. [PMID: 36104012 PMCID: PMC9828399 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.2747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Myostatin, a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth, is a therapeutic target in muscle-wasting diseases. Domagrozumab, a humanized recombinant monoclonal antibody, binds myostatin and inhibits activity. Domagrozumab was investigated in a phase II trial (NCT02310763) as a potential treatment for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling is vital in clinical trial design, particularly for determining dosing regimens in pediatric populations. This analysis sought to establish the PK/PD relationship between free domagrozumab and total myostatin concentrations in pediatric patients with DMD using a prior semimechanistic model developed from a phase I study in healthy adult volunteers (NCT01616277) and following inclusion of phase II data. The refined model was developed using a multiple-step approach comprising structural, random effects, and covariate model development; assessment of model adequacy (goodness-of-fit); and predictive performance. Differences in PKs/PDs between healthy adult volunteers and pediatric patients with DMD were quantitatively accounted for and evaluated by predicting myostatin coverage (the percentage of myostatin bound by domagrozumab). The final model parameter estimates and semimechanistic target-mediated drug disposition structure sufficiently described both domagrozumab and myostatin concentrations in pediatric patients with DMD, and most population parameters were comparable with the prior model (in healthy adult volunteers). Predicted myostatin coverage for phase II patients with DMD was consistently > 90%. Baseline serum myostatin was ~ 65% lower than in healthy adult volunteers. This study provides insights into the regulation of myostatin in healthy adults and pediatric patients with DMD. Clinicaltrials.gov identifiers: NCT01616277 and NCT02310763.
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Sherlock SP, Palmer J, Wagner KR, Abdel-Hamid HZ, Tian C, Mah JK, Muntoni F, Guglieri M, Butterfield RJ, Charnas L, Marraffino S. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measures of lean body mass as a biomarker for progression in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18762. [PMID: 36335191 PMCID: PMC9637094 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23072-5] [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: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
We evaluated whether whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measures of lean body mass can be used as biomarkers for disease progression and treatment effects in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This post hoc analysis utilized data from a randomized, 2-period study of domagrozumab versus placebo in 120 ambulatory boys with DMD. DXA measures of lean body mass were obtained from the whole body (excluding head), arms, legs and appendicular skeleton at baseline and every 16 weeks. Treatment effects on DXA measures for domagrozumab versus placebo were assessed at Week 49. At Week 49, domagrozumab statistically significantly increased lean body mass versus placebo in the appendicular skeleton (p = 0.050) and arms (p < 0.001). The relationship between lean body mass at Week 49 and functional endpoints at Week 97 was evaluated. Changes in lean body mass at Week 49 in all regions except arms were significantly correlated with percent change from baseline in 4-stair climb (4SC) at Week 97. DXA-derived percent lean mass at Week 49 also correlated with 4SC and North Star Ambulatory Assessment at Week 97. These data indicate that whole-body DXA measures can be used as biomarkers for treatment effects and disease progression in patients with DMD, and warrant further investigation.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02310763; registered 8 December 2014.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kathryn R Wagner
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hoda Z Abdel-Hamid
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Cuixia Tian
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jean K Mah
- Alberta Children's Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Francesco Muntoni
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Michela Guglieri
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle, UK
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13
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Muntoni F, Guglieri M, Mah JK, Wagner KR, Brandsema JF, Butterfield RJ, McDonald CM, Mayhew AG, Palmer JP, Marraffino S, Charnas L, Mercuri E. Novel approaches to analysis of the North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD): Observations from a phase 2 trial. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272858. [PMID: 35998119 PMCID: PMC9397979 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) tool is a key instrument for measuring clinical outcomes in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). To gain a better understanding of the longitudinal utility of the NSAA, we evaluated NSAA data from a phase II trial of 120 patients with DMD treated with domagrozumab or placebo. Methods The NSAA exploratory analyses included assessment of individual skills gained/lost, total skills gained/lost, cumulative loss of function, and the impact of transient loss of function due to a temporary disability on NSAA total score (temporary zero score). Results There was no significant difference in the total number of NSAA skills gained (mean 1.41 and 1.04, respectively; p = 0.3314) or lost (3.90 vs. 5.0; p = 0.0998) between domagrozumab- vs. placebo-treated patients at week 49. However, domagrozumab-treated patients were less likely to lose the ability to perform a NSAA item (hazard ratio 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65–0.98, p = 0.029) over 48-weeks vs. placebo-treated patients. When temporary zero scores were changed to “not obtainable” (8 values from 7 patients), domagrozumab-treated patients scored higher on the NSAA total score versus placebo-treated patients (difference at week 49: 2.0, 95% CI: 0.1–3.9, p = 0.0359). Conclusions These exploratory analyses reveal additional approaches to interpreting the NSAA data beyond just change in NSAA total score. These observations also highlight the importance of reporting items as “not obtainable” for a patient with a temporary/transient physical disability that impacts their ability to perform the NSAA test. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02310763.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Muntoni
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, & Great Ormond Street Hospital Trust, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Michela Guglieri
- The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Jean K. Mah
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kathryn R. Wagner
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders, and Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - John F. Brandsema
- Division of Neurology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | | | - Craig M. McDonald
- Lawson Health Research Institute, Children’s Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anna G. Mayhew
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Paediatric Neurology, Catholic University, and Centro Clinico Nemo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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14
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Sherlock SP, Palmer J, Wagner KR, Abdel-Hamid HZ, Bertini E, Tian C, Mah JK, Kostera-Pruszczyk A, Muntoni F, Guglieri M, Brandsema JF, Mercuri E, Butterfield RJ, McDonald CM, Charnas L, Marraffino S. Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging measures as biomarkers of disease progression in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a phase 2 trial of domagrozumab. J Neurol 2022; 269:4421-4435. [PMID: 35396602 PMCID: PMC9294028 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11084-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive, neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in the DMD gene that results in a lack of functional dystrophin protein. Herein, we report the use of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures as biomarkers in the context of a multicenter phase 2, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating the myostatin inhibitor domagrozumab in ambulatory boys with DMD (n = 120 aged 6 to < 16 years). MRI scans of the thigh to measure muscle volume, muscle volume index (MVI), fat fraction, and T2 relaxation time were obtained at baseline and at weeks 17, 33, 49, and 97 as per protocol. These quantitative MRI measurements appeared to be sensitive and objective biomarkers for evaluating disease progression, with significant changes observed in muscle volume, MVI, and T2 mapping measures over time. To further explore the utility of quantitative MRI measures as biomarkers to inform longer term functional changes in this cohort, a regression analysis was performed and demonstrated that muscle volume, MVI, T2 mapping measures, and fat fraction assessment were significantly correlated with longer term changes in four-stair climb times and North Star Ambulatory Assessment functional scores. Finally, less favorable baseline measures of MVI, fat fraction of the muscle bundle, and fat fraction of lean muscle were significant risk factors for loss of ambulation over a 2-year monitoring period. These analyses suggest that MRI can be a valuable tool for use in clinical trials and may help inform future functional changes in DMD.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT02310763; registered December 2014.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kathryn R Wagner
- Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hoda Z Abdel-Hamid
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Enrico Bertini
- Unit of Neuromuscular Disease, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Cuixia Tian
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jean K Mah
- Alberta Children's Hospital, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Francesco Muntoni
- Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre, NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Michela Guglieri
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle, UK
| | | | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Pediatric Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
- Centro Nemo, Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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15
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Deng J, Zhang J, Shi K, Liu Z. Drug development progress in duchenne muscular dystrophy. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:950651. [PMID: 35935842 PMCID: PMC9353054 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.950651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe, progressive, and incurable X-linked disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Patients with DMD have an absence of functional dystrophin protein, which results in chronic damage of muscle fibers during contraction, thus leading to deterioration of muscle quality and loss of muscle mass over time. Although there is currently no cure for DMD, improvements in treatment care and management could delay disease progression and improve quality of life, thereby prolonging life expectancy for these patients. Furthermore, active research efforts are ongoing to develop therapeutic strategies that target dystrophin deficiency, such as gene replacement therapies, exon skipping, and readthrough therapy, as well as strategies that target secondary pathology of DMD, such as novel anti-inflammatory compounds, myostatin inhibitors, and cardioprotective compounds. Furthermore, longitudinal modeling approaches have been used to characterize the progression of MRI and functional endpoints for predictive purposes to inform Go/No Go decisions in drug development. This review showcases approved drugs or drug candidates along their development paths and also provides information on primary endpoints and enrollment size of Ph2/3 and Ph3 trials in the DMD space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiexin Deng
- School of Nursing and Health, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- *Correspondence: Jiexin Deng, ; Zhigang Liu,
| | - Junshi Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Huaihe Hospital of Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Keli Shi
- School of Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Zhigang Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Kaifeng, China
- *Correspondence: Jiexin Deng, ; Zhigang Liu,
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16
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Statland JM, Campbell C, Desai U, Karam C, Díaz-Manera J, Guptill JT, Korngut L, Genge A, Tawil RN, Elman L, Joyce NC, Wagner KR, Manousakis G, Amato AA, Butterfield RJ, Shieh PB, Wicklund M, Gamez J, Bodkin C, Pestronk A, Weihl CC, Vilchez-Padilla JJ, Johnson NE, Mathews KD, Miller B, Leneus A, Fowler M, van de Rijn M, Attie KM. Randomized phase 2 study of ACE-083, a muscle-promoting agent, in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve 2022; 66:50-62. [PMID: 35428982 PMCID: PMC9321022 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Introduction/Aims Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a slowly progressive muscular dystrophy without approved therapies. In this study we evaluated whether locally acting ACE‐083 could safely increase muscle volume and improve functional outcomes in adults with FSHD. Methods Participants were at least 18 years old and had FSHD1/FSHD2. Part 1 was open label, ascending dose, assessing safety and tolerability (primary objective). Part 2 was randomized, double‐blind for 6 months, evaluating ACE‐083240 mg/muscle vs placebo injected bilaterally every 3 weeks in the biceps brachii (BB) or tibialis anterior (TA) muscles, followed by 6 months of open label. Magnetic resonance imaging measures included total muscle volume (TMV; primary objective), fat fraction (FF), and contractile muscle volume (CMV). Functional measures included 6‐minute walk test, 10‐meter walk/run, and 4‐stair climb (TA group), and performance of upper limb midlevel/elbow score (BB group). Strength, patient‐reported outcomes (PROs), and safety were also evaluated. Results Parts 1 and 2 enrolled 37 and 58 participants, respectively. Among 55 participants evaluable in Part 2, the least‐squares mean (90% confidence interval, analysis of covariance) treatment difference for TMV was 16.4% (9.8%‐23.0%) in the BB group (P < .0001) and 9.5% (3.2%‐15.9%) in the TA group (P = .01). CMV increased significantly in the BB and TA groups and FF decreased in the TA group. There were no consistent improvements in functional or PRO measures in either group. The most common adverse events were mild or moderate injection‐site reactions. Discussion Significant increases in TMV with ACE‐083 vs placebo did not result in consistent functional or PRO improvements with up to 12 months of treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey M Statland
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Craig Campbell
- Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Neurological Sciences, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Urvi Desai
- Carolinas MDA Care Center, Atrium Health, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
| | - Chafic Karam
- Neuromuscular Division, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Jordi Díaz-Manera
- Neuromuscular Diseases Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.,Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Madrid, Spain.,John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle, UK
| | - Jeffrey T Guptill
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Angela Genge
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Rabi N Tawil
- University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Lauren Elman
- University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Nanette C Joyce
- University of California Davis Medical Center, Davis, California, USA
| | - Kathryn R Wagner
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Georgios Manousakis
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | | | - Russell J Butterfield
- Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Perry B Shieh
- University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Josep Gamez
- Department of Medicine, GMA Clinic, European Reference Network on Rare Neuromuscular Diseases (ERN EURO-NMD) and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Cynthia Bodkin
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Alan Pestronk
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Conrad C Weihl
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Juan J Vilchez-Padilla
- Hospital UIP La Fe, Neuromuscular Reference Centre, Valencia, Spain.,Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, Madrid, Spain
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17
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Emerging therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Lancet Neurol 2022; 21:814-829. [DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(22)00125-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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18
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Abati E, Manini A, Comi GP, Corti S. Inhibition of myostatin and related signaling pathways for the treatment of muscle atrophy in motor neuron diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:374. [PMID: 35727341 PMCID: PMC9213329 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04408-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Myostatin is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth secreted by skeletal myocytes. In the past years, myostatin inhibition sparked interest among the scientific community for its potential to enhance muscle growth and to reduce, or even prevent, muscle atrophy. These characteristics make it a promising target for the treatment of muscle atrophy in motor neuron diseases, namely, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), which are rare neurological diseases, whereby the degeneration of motor neurons leads to progressive muscle loss and paralysis. These diseases carry a huge burden of morbidity and mortality but, despite this unfavorable scenario, several therapeutic advancements have been made in the past years. Indeed, a number of different curative therapies for SMA have been approved, leading to a revolution in the life expectancy and outcomes of SMA patients. Similarly, tofersen, an antisense oligonucleotide, is now undergoing clinical trial phase for use in ALS patients carrying the SOD1 mutation. However, these therapies are not able to completely halt or reverse progression of muscle damage. Recently, a trial evaluating apitegromab, a myostatin inhibitor, in SMA patients was started, following positive results from preclinical studies. In this context, myostatin inhibition could represent a useful strategy to tackle motor symptoms in these patients. The aim of this review is to describe the myostatin pathway and its role in motor neuron diseases, and to summarize and critically discuss preclinical and clinical studies of myostatin inhibitors in SMA and ALS. Then, we will highlight promises and pitfalls related to the use of myostatin inhibitors in the human setting, to aid the scientific community in the development of future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Abati
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Arianna Manini
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Pietro Comi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Corti
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Dino Ferrari Centre, Neuroscience Section, Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda-Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
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19
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Sim I, Jang J, Song J, Lee J, Lim H, Lee HJ, Hwang G, Kwon YV, Lee D, Yoon Y. Paeonia lactiflora extract improves the muscle function of mdx mice, an animal model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, via downregulating the high mobility group box 1 protein. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 289:115079. [PMID: 35149132 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Paeonia lactiflora Pall. is an ethnopharmacological medicine with a long history of human use for treating various inflammatory diseases in many Asian countries. AIM OF THE STUDY Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked degenerative muscle disease affecting 1 in 3500 males and is characterized by severe muscle inflammation and a progressive decline in muscle function. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of an ethanol extract of the root of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (PL) on the muscle function in the muscular dystrophy X-linked (mdx) mouse, the most commonly used animal model of DMD. MATERIALS AND METHODS Male mdx mice and wild-type controls aged 5 weeks were orally treated with PL for 4 weeks. The corticosteroid prednisolone was used as a comparator drug. Muscle strength and motor coordination were assessed via the grip-strength and rotarod tests, respectively. Muscle damage was evaluated via histological examination and assessment of plasma creatine-kinase activity. Proteomic analyses were conducted to identify the muscle proteins whose levels were significantly affected by PL (ProteomeXchange identifier: PXD028886). Muscle and plasma levels of these proteins, and their corresponding mRNAs were measured using western blotting and ELISA, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS The muscle strength and motor coordination of mdx mice were significantly increased by the oral treatment of PL. PL significantly reduced the histological muscle damage and plasma creatine-kinase activity. Proteomic analyses of the muscle showed that PL significantly downregulated the high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein and Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, thus suppressing the HMGB1-TLR4-NF-κB signaling, in the muscle of mdx mice. Consequently, the muscle levels of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines, which play crucial roles in inflammation, were downregulated. CONCLUSION PL improves the muscle function and reduces the muscle damage in mdx mice via suppressing the HMGB1-TLR4-NF-κB signaling and downregulating proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inae Sim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jaewoong Jang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jaewon Song
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jongkyu Lee
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyemi Lim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hyun Jung Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Gyusik Hwang
- Research Center, EBIOGEN Inc., #405, Sungsu A1 Center, 48 Ttukseom-ro 17-ga-gil, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 04785, Republic of Korea.
| | - Young V Kwon
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Doheon Lee
- Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, KAIST, 291 Daehak-ro, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea; Bio-Synergy Research Center, 291 Daehak-ro, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yoosik Yoon
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Chung-Ang University, 84 Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea; Bio-Synergy Research Center, 291 Daehak-ro, Daejeon, 34141, Republic of Korea.
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20
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Rodgers BD, Ward CW. Myostatin/Activin Receptor Ligands in Muscle and the Development Status of Attenuating Drugs. Endocr Rev 2022; 43:329-365. [PMID: 34520530 PMCID: PMC8905337 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnab030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Muscle wasting disease indications are among the most debilitating and often deadly noncommunicable disease states. As a comorbidity, muscle wasting is associated with different neuromuscular diseases and myopathies, cancer, heart failure, chronic pulmonary and renal diseases, peripheral neuropathies, inflammatory disorders, and, of course, musculoskeletal injuries. Current treatment strategies are relatively ineffective and can at best only limit the rate of muscle degeneration. This includes nutritional supplementation and appetite stimulants as well as immunosuppressants capable of exacerbating muscle loss. Arguably, the most promising treatments in development attempt to disrupt myostatin and activin receptor signaling because these circulating factors are potent inhibitors of muscle growth and regulators of muscle progenitor cell differentiation. Indeed, several studies demonstrated the clinical potential of "inhibiting the inhibitors," increasing muscle cell protein synthesis, decreasing degradation, enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis, and preserving muscle function. Such changes can prevent muscle wasting in various disease animal models yet many drugs targeting this pathway failed during clinical trials, some from serious treatment-related adverse events and off-target interactions. More often, however, failures resulted from the inability to improve muscle function despite preserving muscle mass. Drugs still in development include antibodies and gene therapeutics, all with different targets and thus, safety, efficacy, and proposed use profiles. Each is unique in design and, if successful, could revolutionize the treatment of both acute and chronic muscle wasting. They could also be used in combination with other developing therapeutics for related muscle pathologies or even metabolic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christopher W Ward
- Department of Orthopedics and Center for Biomedical Engineering and Technology (BioMET), University of Maryland School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD, USA
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21
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Markati T, De Waele L, Schara-Schmidt U, Servais L. Lessons Learned from Discontinued Clinical Developments in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:735912. [PMID: 34790118 PMCID: PMC8591262 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.735912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked condition caused by a deficiency of functional dystrophin protein. Patients experience progressive muscle weakness, cardiomyopathy and have a decreased life expectancy. Standards of care, including treatment with steroids, and multidisciplinary approaches have extended the life expectancy and improved the quality of life of patients. In the last 30 years, several compounds have been assessed in preclinical and clinical studies for their ability to restore functional dystrophin levels or to modify pathways involved in DMD pathophysiology. However, there is still an unmet need with regards to a disease-modifying treatment for DMD and the attrition rate between early-phase and late-phase clinical development remains high. Currently, there are 40 compounds in clinical development for DMD, including gene therapy and antisense oligonucleotides for exon skipping. Only five of them have received conditional approval in one jurisdiction subject to further proof of efficacy. In this review, we present data of another 16 compounds that failed to complete clinical development, despite positive results in early phases of development in some cases. We examine the reasons for the high attrition rate and we suggest solutions to avoid similar mistakes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodora Markati
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Center, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Liesbeth De Waele
- KU Leuven Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Urlike Schara-Schmidt
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, Center for Translational Neuro- and Behavioral Sciences, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Laurent Servais
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Center, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Division of Child Neurology, Reference Center for Neuromuscular Disease, Centre Hospitalier Régional de Références des Maladies Neuromusculaires, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Liège, Liège, Belgium
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22
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Uchimura T, Sakurai H. Orai1-STIM1 Regulates Increased Ca 2+ Mobilization, Leading to Contractile Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Phenotypes in Patient-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9111589. [PMID: 34829817 PMCID: PMC8615222 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 10/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ca2+ overload is one of the factors leading to Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) pathogenesis. However, the molecular targets of dystrophin deficiency-dependent Ca2+ overload and the correlation between Ca2+ overload and contractile DMD phenotypes in in vitro human models remain largely elusive. In this study, we utilized DMD patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to differentiate myotubes using doxycycline-inducible MyoD overexpression, and searched for a target molecule that mediates dystrophin deficiency-dependent Ca2+ overload using commercially available chemicals and siRNAs. We found that several store-operated Ca2+ channel (SOC) inhibitors effectively prevented Ca2+ overload and identified that STIM1–Orai1 is a molecular target of SOCs. These findings were further confirmed by demonstrating that STIM1–Orai1 inhibitors, CM4620, AnCoA4, and GSK797A, prevented Ca2+ overload in dystrophic myotubes. Finally, we evaluated CM4620, AnCoA4, and GSK7975A activities using a previously reported model recapitulating a muscle fatigue-like decline in contractile performance in DMD. All three chemicals ameliorated the decline in contractile performance, indicating that modulating STIM1–Orai1-mediated Ca2+ overload is effective in rescuing contractile phenotypes. In conclusion, SOCs are major contributors to dystrophin deficiency-dependent Ca2+ overload through STIM1–Orai1 as molecular mediators. Modulating STIM1–Orai1 activity was effective in ameliorating the decline in contractile performance in DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Uchimura
- Center for iPSC Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
- Takeda-CiRA Joint Program, Fujisawa 251-8555, Japan
- Correspondence: (T.U.); (H.S.)
| | - Hidetoshi Sakurai
- Center for iPSC Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Shogoin-Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
- Takeda-CiRA Joint Program, Fujisawa 251-8555, Japan
- Correspondence: (T.U.); (H.S.)
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23
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Sun Z, Xu D, Zhao L, Li X, Li S, Huang X, Li C, Sun L, Liu B, Jiang Z, Zhang L. A new therapeutic effect of fenofibrate in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: The promotion of myostatin degradation. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:1237-1250. [PMID: 34553378 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a degenerative muscle disease with no effective drug treatment. This study investigated the positive effects of fenofibrate on dystrophic muscles. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Myostatin expression in serum and muscle tissue of DMD patients and mdx mice were tested. Primary myoblasts isolated from mdx mice were challenged with an inflammatory stimulus and treated with fenofibrate. In animal experiments, 6-week-old male mdx mice were treated with fenofibrate (100 mg/kg) administered orally once per day for 6 weeks. Tests of muscle function plus histology and biochemical analyses of serum were conducted to evaluate the effects of fenofibrate. The expressions of myostatin, MuRF1, and atrogin-1 in skeletal muscle were evaluated by Western blotting and real-time PCR. Total and oxidative myosin heavy chain (MHC) were assessed via immunofluorescence. KEY RESULTS Increased expression of myostatin protein was found in dystrophic muscle of DMD patients and mdx mice. Fenofibrate enhanced myofibre differentiation by downregulating the expression of myostatin protein but not mRNA in primary myoblasts of mdx mice. Fenofibrate significantly improved muscle function while ameliorating muscle damage in mdx mice. These benefits are accompanied by an anti-inflammatory effect. Fenofibrate treatment returned myofibre function by inhibiting the expressions of myostatin, MuRF1, and atrogin-1 protein in the gastrocnemius muscle and diaphragm, while leaving the mRNA level of myostatin unaffected. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Fenofibrate substantially slows muscle dystrophy by promoting the degradation of myostatin protein, which may indicate a new therapeutic focus for DMD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeren Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dengqiu Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xihua Li
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sijia Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaofei Huang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunjie Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lixin Sun
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Center for Drug Research and Development, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenzhou Jiang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.,State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Luyong Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, Key Laboratory of Drug Quality Control and Pharmacovigilance, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.,Center for Drug Research and Development, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China
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24
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Wagner KR, Guglieri M, Ramaiah SK, Charnas L, Marraffino S, Binks M, Vaidya VS, Palmer J, Goldstein R, Muntoni F. Safety and disease monitoring biomarkers in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: results from a Phase II trial. Biomark Med 2021; 15:1389-1396. [PMID: 34533053 DOI: 10.2217/bmm-2021-0222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Evaluate the utility of glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and cardiac troponin I as safety biomarkers, and creatine kinase and muscle injury panel as muscle health biomarkers in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Patients & methods: Data were collected during a Phase II trial of domagrozumab. Results: GLDH was a more specific biomarker for liver injury than alanine aminotransferase. Cardiac troponin I elevations were variable and not sustained, limiting its applicability as a biomarker. Muscle injury panel biomarkers were no more informative than creatine kinase as a muscle health biomarker. Conclusion: Results support the use of GLDH as a specific biomarker for liver injury in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02310763.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn R Wagner
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Departments of Neurology & Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Michaela Guglieri
- The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Newcastle University & Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Francesco Muntoni
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, & Great Ormond Street Hospital Trust, London, UK
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25
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Welsh BT, Cote SM, Meshulam D, Jackson J, Pal A, Lansita J, Kalra A. Preclinical Safety Assessment and Toxicokinetics of Apitegromab, an Antibody Targeting Proforms of Myostatin for the Treatment of Muscle-Atrophying Disease. Int J Toxicol 2021; 40:322-336. [PMID: 34255983 PMCID: PMC8326894 DOI: 10.1177/10915818211025477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Myostatin is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle and has become a therapeutic target for muscle atrophying disorders. Although previous inhibitors of myostatin offered promising preclinical data, these therapies demonstrated a lack of specificity toward myostatin signaling and have shown limited success in the clinic. Apitegromab is a fully human, monoclonal antibody that binds to human promyostatin and latent myostatin with a high degree of specificity, without binding mature myostatin and other closely related growth factors. To support the clinical development of apitegromab, we present data from a comprehensive preclinical assessment of its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and safety across multiple species. In vitro studies confirmed the ability of apitegromab to inhibit the activation of promyostatin. Toxicology studies in monkeys for 4 weeks and in adult rats for up to 26 weeks showed that weekly intravenous administration of apitegromab achieved sustained serum exposure and target engagement and was well-tolerated, with no treatment-related adverse findings at the highest doses tested of up to 100 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg in monkeys and rats, respectively. Additionally, results from an 8-week juvenile rat study showed no adverse effects on any endpoint, including neurodevelopmental, motor, and reproductive outcomes at 300 mg/kg administered weekly IV. In summary, the nonclinical pharmacology, pharmacokinetic, and toxicology data demonstrate that apitegromab is a selective inhibitor of proforms of myostatin that does not exhibit toxicities observed with other myostatin pathway inhibitors. These data support the conduct of ongoing clinical studies of apitegromab in adult and pediatric patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ajai Pal
- Scholar Rock, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
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26
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Sherlock SP, Zhang Y, Binks M, Marraffino S. Quantitative muscle MRI biomarkers in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: cross-sectional correlations with age and functional tests. Biomark Med 2021; 15:761-773. [PMID: 34155911 PMCID: PMC8253163 DOI: 10.2217/bmm-2020-0801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Using baseline data from a clinical trial of domagrozumab in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, we evaluated the correlation between functional measures and quantitative MRI assessments of thigh muscle. Patients & methods: Analysis included timed functional tests, knee extension/strength and North Star Ambulatory Assessment. Patients (n = 120) underwent examinations of one thigh, with MRI sequences to enable measurements of muscle volume (MV), MV index, mean T2 relaxation time via T2-mapping and fat fraction. Results: MV was moderately correlated with strength assessments. MV index, fat fraction and T2-mapping measures had moderate correlations (r ∼ 0.5) to all functional tests, North Star Ambulatory Assessment and age. Conclusion: The moderate correlation between functional tests, age and baseline MRI measures supports MRI as a biomarker in Duchenne muscular dystrophy clinical trials. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02310763; registered 4 November 2014. Clinical trials in Duchenne muscular dystrophy have proven to be challenging, due in part to the lack of robust biomarkers that are sensitive to detecting disease progression. While physical function, such as walking or climbing stairs, will be critical to demonstrating the long-term efficacy of a therapeutic, MRI may be a more objective approach that could detect subtle changes in disease status and offer earlier signals of clinical efficacy. In this study, researchers used baseline data from a Phase II clinical study (NCT02310763) to evaluate the relationship between measures of physical function and quantitative MRI assessments. They found that many MRI measures were moderately correlated with physical function, and muscle volume measurements were correlated with measures of strength. This study supports the use of MRI as a biomarker in Duchenne muscular dystrophy clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yao Zhang
- Pfizer Inc, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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27
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Asari T, Ikeyama H, Taguchi A, Taniguchi A, Hayashi Y, Takayama K. Proposal for the binding mode of the 23-mer inhibitory peptide to myostatin. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 40:116181. [PMID: 33957441 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of myostatin is a promising strategy for the treatment of amyotrophic disorders. Previously, we identified a minimum 23-mer peptide spanning positions 21-43 of a mouse myostatin precursor-derived prodomain and identified the nine key residues for effective myostatin inhibition through Ala scanning. We also reported the 23-mer peptides that show the propensity to form an α-helical structure around positions 32-36. Here, based on these findings, we conducted a docking simulation of a peptide-myostatin interaction. The results showed that by α-helix restraint docking of the 30-41 main chain, we obtained a proposed binding mode in which all nine of the key residues interact with myostatin. By analyzing the binding mode of four proposed docking models, we identified six of the myostatin residues that play an important role in the interaction with the peptide. This result provides a valuable insight into the relationship between myostatin and peptide interaction sites and may help in the design of future inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomo Asari
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Ikeyama
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Akihiro Taguchi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Atsuhiko Taniguchi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Yoshio Hayashi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan
| | - Kentaro Takayama
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0392, Japan.
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28
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Leung DG, Bocchieri AE, Ahlawat S, Jacobs MA, Parekh VS, Braverman V, Summerton K, Mansour J, Stinson N, Bibat G, Morris C, Marraffino S, Wagner KR. A phase Ib/IIa, open-label, multiple ascending-dose trial of domagrozumab in fukutin-related protein limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve 2021; 64:172-179. [PMID: 33961310 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS In this study we report the results of a phase Ib/IIa, open-label, multiple ascending-dose trial of domagrozumab, a myostatin inhibitor, in patients with fukutin-related protein (FKRP)-associated limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. METHODS Nineteen patients were enrolled and assigned to one of three dosing arms (5, 20, or 40 mg/kg every 4 weeks). After 32 weeks of treatment, participants receiving the lowest dose were switched to the highest dose (40 mg/kg) for an additional 32 weeks. An extension study was also conducted. The primary endpoints were safety and tolerability. Secondary endpoints included muscle strength, timed function testing, pulmonary function, lean body mass, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. As an exploratory outcome, muscle fat fractions were derived from whole-body magnetic resonance images. RESULTS Serum concentrations of domagrozumab increased in a dose-dependent manner and modest levels of myostatin inhibition were observed in both serum and muscle tissue. The most frequently occurring adverse events were injuries secondary to falls. There were no significant between-group differences in the strength, functional, or imaging outcomes studied. DISCUSSION We conclude that, although domagrozumab was safe in patients in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I/R9, there was no clear evidence supporting its efficacy in improving muscle strength or function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doris G Leung
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Alex E Bocchieri
- Department of Computer Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Shivani Ahlawat
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael A Jacobs
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Vishwa S Parekh
- Department of Computer Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Vladimir Braverman
- Department of Computer Science, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Katherine Summerton
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennifer Mansour
- Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Nikia Stinson
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Genila Bibat
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Carl Morris
- Solid Biosciences, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Kathryn R Wagner
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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29
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Recent terminations of clinical trials of myostatin inhibitors in muscular dystrophy have raised questions about the predictiveness of mouse models for this therapeutic strategy. RECENT FINDINGS A variety of myostatin inhibitors have been developed for preclinical and clinical studies. These inhibitors have ameliorated the phenotype of many but not all mouse models of muscular dystrophy. However, randomized double-blinded placebo controlled trials in both pediatric and adult muscular dystrophies have, as of yet, not demonstrated functional improvement. SUMMARY The present article will review the preclinical promise of myostatin inhibitors, the clinical trial experience to date of these inhibitors in muscular dystrophy, and the potential reasons for the lack of observed translation.
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30
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Lee SJ. Targeting the myostatin signaling pathway to treat muscle loss and metabolic dysfunction. J Clin Invest 2021; 131:148372. [PMID: 33938454 DOI: 10.1172/jci148372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of myostatin (MSTN; also known as GDF-8) as a critical regulator of skeletal muscle mass in 1997, there has been an extensive effort directed at understanding the cellular and physiological mechanisms underlying MSTN activity, with the long-term goal of developing strategies and agents capable of blocking MSTN signaling to treat patients with muscle loss. Considerable progress has been made in elucidating key components of this regulatory system, and in parallel with this effort has been the development of numerous biologics that have been tested in clinical trials for a wide range of indications, including muscular dystrophy, sporadic inclusion body myositis, spinal muscular atrophy, cachexia, muscle loss due to aging or following falls, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Here, I review what is known about the MSTN regulatory system and the current state of efforts to target this pathway for clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se-Jin Lee
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.,University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
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31
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Eriksen CS, Kimer N, Suetta C, Møller S. Arm lean mass determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is superior to characterize skeletal muscle and predict sarcopenia-related mortality in cirrhosis. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2021; 320:G729-G740. [PMID: 33729006 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00478.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Sarcopenia worsens survival in patients with advanced liver disease including cirrhosis. In this study, we aimed to characterize skeletal muscle status by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in patients with cirrhosis and examine the association between different skeletal muscle compartments and mortality. We included 231 men and 84 women (Child A, B, and C) with cirrhosis and 315 healthy matched controls (231 men and 84 women). Body composition was assessed with DXA. Appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI), arms index (AI), and legs index (LI) were calculated by normalizing lean mass to height squared. Low ASMI was defined as ASMI < 7.0 kg/m2 in men and <5.5 kg/m2 in women. Biochemical and hemodynamic data were recorded for cirrhotic patients and mortality data retrieved from registers. Low ASMI was more prevalent in both men (49%) and women (43%) with cirrhosis compared with healthy men (8%) and women (5%) (P < 0.001). ASMI and LI were lowest in Child B, whereas AI decreased gradually with advancing Child class. ASMI was inversely associated with mortality in men [HR = 0.74 (0.59-0.93), P < 0.01], and this was mainly driven by AI [HR = 0.37 (0.18-0.71), P < 0.01]. AI showed closer association than ASMI or LI to both the severity of liver disease and to mortality, which may be due to increasing prevalence of leg edema with disease progression in this population. Determination of arm lean mass may add information on survival in patients with cirrhosis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Sarcopenia increases mortality in patients with end-stage liver disease. We show that arm lean mass determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is a better marker than the traditional appendicular skeletal muscle mass when predicting sarcopenia-related mortality in patients with cirrhosis of different severity. The findings add to the dispute about the optimal method for repeated assessments of skeletal muscle status in patients with cirrhosis and may have implications for clinical decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Skou Eriksen
- Center of Functional Imaging and Research, Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Hvidovre University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Nina Kimer
- Gastro Unit, Medical Division, Hvidovre University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Charlotte Suetta
- Geriatric Research Unit, Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg University Hospitals, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Geriatric Research Unit, Department of Medicine, Herlev and Gentofte University Hospitals, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET, Rigshospitalet-Glostrup, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren Møller
- Center of Functional Imaging and Research, Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Hvidovre University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
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32
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Signorelli M, Ebrahimpoor M, Veth O, Hettne K, Verwey N, García‐Rodríguez R, Tanganyika‐deWinter CL, Lopez Hernandez LB, Escobar Cedillo R, Gómez Díaz B, Magnusson OT, Mei H, Tsonaka R, Aartsma‐Rus A, Spitali P. Peripheral blood transcriptome profiling enables monitoring disease progression in dystrophic mice and patients. EMBO Mol Med 2021; 13:e13328. [PMID: 33751844 PMCID: PMC8033515 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202013328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
DMD is a rare disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and premature death. Therapy development is delayed by difficulties to monitor efficacy non-invasively in clinical trials. In this study, we used RNA-sequencing to describe the pathophysiological changes in skeletal muscle of 3 dystrophic mouse models. We show how dystrophic changes in muscle are reflected in blood by analyzing paired muscle and blood samples. Analysis of repeated blood measurements followed the dystrophic signature at five equally spaced time points over a period of seven months. Treatment with two antisense drugs harboring different levels of dystrophin recovery identified genes associated with safety and efficacy. Evaluation of the blood gene expression in a cohort of DMD patients enabled the comparison between preclinical models and patients, and the identification of genes associated with physical performance, treatment with corticosteroids and body measures. The presented results provide evidence that blood RNA-sequencing can serve as a tool to evaluate disease progression in dystrophic mice and patients, as well as to monitor response to (dystrophin-restoring) therapies in preclinical drug development and in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko Signorelli
- Department of Biomedical Data SciencesLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Mitra Ebrahimpoor
- Department of Biomedical Data SciencesLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Olga Veth
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Kristina Hettne
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Nisha Verwey
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | | | | | - Luz B Lopez Hernandez
- Departamento de Medicina GenómicaUniversidad Autónoma de GuadalajaraGuadalajaraMexico
- Centro Médico Nacional "20 de Noviembre", ISSSTECiudad de MéxicoMexico
| | | | - Benjamín Gómez Díaz
- Sociedad Mexicana de la Distrofia Muscular A.C INR‐LGIICiudad de MéxicoMexico
| | | | - Hailiang Mei
- Sequencing Analysis Support CoreLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | - Roula Tsonaka
- Department of Biomedical Data SciencesLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
| | | | - Pietro Spitali
- Department of Human GeneticsLeiden University Medical CenterLeidenThe Netherlands
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33
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Spurney CF, Ascheim D, Charnas L, Cripe L, Hor K, King N, Kinnett K, McNally EM, Sauer JM, Sweeney L, Villa C, Markham LW. Current state of cardiac troponin testing in Duchenne muscular dystrophy cardiomyopathy: review and recommendations from the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy expert panel. Open Heart 2021; 8:openhrt-2021-001592. [PMID: 33762424 PMCID: PMC7993361 DOI: 10.1136/openhrt-2021-001592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac disease is now the leading cause of death in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Clinical evaluations over time have demonstrated asymptomatic cardiac troponin elevations and acute elevations are associated with symptoms and cardiac dysfunction in DMD. Clinicians require a better understanding of the relationship of symptoms, troponin levels and progression of cardiac disease in DMD. As clinical trials begin to assess novel cardiac therapeutics in DMD, troponin levels in DMD are important for safety monitoring and outcome measures. The Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy convened an expert panel of cardiologists, scientists, and regulatory and industry specialists on 16 December 2019 in Silver Spring, Maryland and reviewed published and unpublished data from their institutions. The panel recommended retrospective troponin data analyses, prospective longitudinal troponin collection using high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I assays, inclusion of troponin in future clinical trial outcomes and future development of clinical guidelines for monitoring and treating troponin elevations in DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher F Spurney
- Children's National Heart Institute, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | | | - Lawrence Charnas
- Clinical Research Rare Neurology Disease, Pfizer, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Linda Cripe
- The Heart Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Kan Hor
- The Heart Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Kathi Kinnett
- Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, Hackensack, New Jersey, USA
| | | | | | - Lee Sweeney
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Chet Villa
- Cardiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Larry W Markham
- Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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34
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Antimyostatin Treatment in Health and Disease: The Story of Great Expectations and Limited Success. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030533. [PMID: 33802348 PMCID: PMC8001237 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past 20 years, myostatin, a negative regulator of muscle mass, has attracted attention as a potential therapeutic target in muscular dystrophies and other conditions. Preclinical studies have shown potential for increasing muscular mass and ameliorating the pathological features of dystrophic muscle by the inhibition of myostatin in various ways. However, hardly any clinical trials have proven to translate the promising results from the animal models into patient populations. We present the background for myostatin regulation, clinical and preclinical results and discuss why translation from animal models to patients is difficult. Based on this, we put the clinical relevance of future antimyostatin treatment into perspective.
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35
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Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a severe, progressive, muscle-wasting disease that leads to difficulties with movement and, eventually, to the need for assisted ventilation and premature death. The disease is caused by mutations in DMD (encoding dystrophin) that abolish the production of dystrophin in muscle. Muscles without dystrophin are more sensitive to damage, resulting in progressive loss of muscle tissue and function, in addition to cardiomyopathy. Recent studies have greatly deepened our understanding of the primary and secondary pathogenetic mechanisms. Guidelines for the multidisciplinary care for Duchenne muscular dystrophy that address obtaining a genetic diagnosis and managing the various aspects of the disease have been established. In addition, a number of therapies that aim to restore the missing dystrophin protein or address secondary pathology have received regulatory approval and many others are in clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongsheng Duan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology and Department of Neurology, School of Medicine; Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine; Department of Biomedical, Biological & Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Nathalie Goemans
- Department of Child Neurology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Eugenio Mercuri
- Centro Clinico Nemo, Policlinico Gemelli, Rome, Italy
- Peadiatric Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - Annemieke Aartsma-Rus
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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36
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Kupatt C, Windisch A, Moretti A, Wolf E, Wurst W, Walter MC. Genome editing for Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a glimpse of the future? Gene Ther 2021; 28:542-548. [PMID: 33531685 PMCID: PMC8455335 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-021-00222-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in Dystrophin, one of the largest proteins in the mammalian body, are causative for a severe form of muscle disease, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), affecting not only skeletal muscle, but also the heart. In particular, exons 45–52 constitute a hotspot for DMD mutations. A variety of molecular therapies have been developed, comprising vectors encoding micro- and minidystrophins as well as utrophin, a protein with partially overlapping functions. With the advent of the CRISPR-Cas9-nuclease, genome editing offers a novel option of correction of the disease-cuasing mutations. Full restoration of the healthy gene by homology directed repair is a rare event. However, non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) may restore the reading frame by causing exon excision. This approach has first been demonstrated in mice and then translated to large animals (dogs, pigs). This review discusses the potential opportunities and limitations of genome editing in DMD, including the generation of appropriate animal models as well as new developments in genome editing tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Kupatt
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin I, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany. .,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany.
| | - Alina Windisch
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin I, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Alessandra Moretti
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin I, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.,DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Eckhard Wolf
- Chair for Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, and Center for Innovative Medical Models (CiMM), LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wurst
- Institute of Development Genetics, Helmholtz-Centre Munich, Munich, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Maggie C Walter
- Friedrich Baur Institute, Department of Neurology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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37
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Gklinos P, Papadopoulou M, Stanulovic V, Mitsikostas DD, Papadopoulos D. Monoclonal Antibodies as Neurological Therapeutics. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14020092. [PMID: 33530460 PMCID: PMC7912592 DOI: 10.3390/ph14020092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the last 30 years the role of monoclonal antibodies in therapeutics has increased enormously, revolutionizing treatment in most medical specialties, including neurology. Monoclonal antibodies are key therapeutic agents for several neurological conditions with diverse pathophysiological mechanisms, including multiple sclerosis, migraines and neuromuscular disease. In addition, a great number of monoclonal antibodies against several targets are being investigated for many more neurological diseases, which reflects our advances in understanding the pathogenesis of these diseases. Untangling the molecular mechanisms of disease allows monoclonal antibodies to block disease pathways accurately and efficiently with exceptional target specificity, minimizing non-specific effects. On the other hand, accumulating experience shows that monoclonal antibodies may carry class-specific and target-associated risks. This article provides an overview of different types of monoclonal antibodies and their characteristics and reviews monoclonal antibodies currently in use or under development for neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Gklinos
- Department of Neurology, KAT General Hospital of Attica, 14561 Athens, Greece;
| | - Miranta Papadopoulou
- Center for Clinical, Experimental Surgery & Translational Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens (BRFAA), 11527 Athens, Greece;
| | - Vid Stanulovic
- Global Pharmacovigilance, R&D Sanofi, 91385 Chilly-Mazarin, France;
| | - Dimos D. Mitsikostas
- 1st Neurology Department, Aeginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11521 Athens, Greece;
| | - Dimitrios Papadopoulos
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 129 Vasilissis Sophias Avenue, 11521 Athens, Greece
- Salpetriere Neuropsychiatric Clinic, 149 Papandreou Street, Metamorphosi, 14452 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence:
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38
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Rybalka E, Timpani CA, Debruin DA, Bagaric RM, Campelj DG, Hayes A. The Failed Clinical Story of Myostatin Inhibitors against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Exploring the Biology behind the Battle. Cells 2020; 9:E2657. [PMID: 33322031 PMCID: PMC7764137 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Myostatin inhibition therapy has held much promise for the treatment of muscle wasting disorders. This is particularly true for the fatal myopathy, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Following on from promising pre-clinical data in dystrophin-deficient mice and dogs, several clinical trials were initiated in DMD patients using different modality myostatin inhibition therapies. All failed to show modification of disease course as dictated by the primary and secondary outcome measures selected: the myostatin inhibition story, thus far, is a failed clinical story. These trials have recently been extensively reviewed and reasons why pre-clinical data collected in animal models have failed to translate into clinical benefit to patients have been purported. However, the biological mechanisms underlying translational failure need to be examined to ensure future myostatin inhibitor development endeavors do not meet with the same fate. Here, we explore the biology which could explain the failed translation of myostatin inhibitors in the treatment of DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Rybalka
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria 8001, Australia; (D.A.D.); (R.M.B.); (D.G.C.); (A.H.)
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Victoria University, St Albans, Victoria 3021, Australia
| | - Cara A. Timpani
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria 8001, Australia; (D.A.D.); (R.M.B.); (D.G.C.); (A.H.)
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Victoria University, St Albans, Victoria 3021, Australia
| | - Danielle A. Debruin
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria 8001, Australia; (D.A.D.); (R.M.B.); (D.G.C.); (A.H.)
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Victoria University, St Albans, Victoria 3021, Australia
| | - Ryan M. Bagaric
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria 8001, Australia; (D.A.D.); (R.M.B.); (D.G.C.); (A.H.)
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Victoria University, St Albans, Victoria 3021, Australia
| | - Dean G. Campelj
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria 8001, Australia; (D.A.D.); (R.M.B.); (D.G.C.); (A.H.)
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Victoria University, St Albans, Victoria 3021, Australia
| | - Alan Hayes
- Institute for Health and Sport (IHeS), Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria 8001, Australia; (D.A.D.); (R.M.B.); (D.G.C.); (A.H.)
- Australian Institute for Musculoskeletal Science (AIMSS), Victoria University, St Albans, Victoria 3021, Australia
- Department of Medicine—Western Health, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3021 Victoria, Australia
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