Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness Day 3rd Annual

Myotonic Dystrophy International Awareness Day 2019

 

We would love you to join in on our Third International Myotonic Dystrophy Awareness day. Spreading awareness of the condition to help raise support!

We would love you to change your facebook and twitter profiles to our new awareness day logo. We are aiming to spread awareness of this condition all over social media for at least 24 hours, on the 27th July 2019!

We would like the whole world to know about this rare condition. And you can help, by simply liking this page and changing your profile picture.

If you would like to hold a fundraising event in conjunction with Awareness Day, please contact us on fundraising@cmmd.uk
Alternatively, you could donate to the following page or using the DONATE button above – anything is appreciated, every £1 helps us move one step closer to funding life saving research!

https://www.paypal.me/CureDMCIC

Miles is in a bubble, as blowing bubbles is a great exercise to help with respiratory issues associated with DM/CDM. When we have our Cure DM Community meet-ups, we have bubbles for the children to play with.

Please add your images and stories to the page below to help spread awareness.

JOIN THE FIGHT!

MDA Invests 550K into San Diego Therapy Company

MDA Awards Locana $550K to Advance Potential RNA-targeting Therapy for Myotonic Dystrophy

Locana Logo

 
MDA Awards Locana $550K to Advance Potential RNA-targeting Therapy for Myotonic Dystrophy
 

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has awarded Locana $550,000 through its MDA Venture Philanthropy (MVP) program to help advance the biotech company’s therapy platform for myotonic dystrophy (DM).

Specifically, the grant to the San Diego, California-based gene therapy company is aimed at furthering the development of its RNA-targeting technology.

“We’ve witnessed incredible innovation with the development of the first FDA-approved gene therapy for a neuromuscular disease,” Lynn O’Connor Vos, the MDA’s president and chief executive officer, said in a news release. She was speaking in reference to Zolgensma (AveXis and Novartis), approved May 24 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat spinal muscular atrophy.

“This gives us hope that novel approaches — such as Locana’s for designing highly specific RNA-targeting candidates — for treatment of myotonic dystrophy can address the significant unmet needs for patients who live with this genetic disease.”

The project’s chief investigator will be Ranjan Batra, Locana’s vice president of research and development.

“We appreciate the support of MDA to address this devastating disease,” said Jeffrey M. Ostrove, PhD, Locana chief executive officer. “DM is caused by expression of dysfunctional, repetitive RNA in diseased tissues, where application of Locana’s core RNA-targeting technology has been shown to have  potential for single-dose benefit, and could provide a long-lasting approach for patients.”

Estimated to affect one in 8,000 individuals globally, myotonic dystrophy is the most common adult-onset form of muscular dystrophy (MD) and has two types, both caused by genetic mutations. DM1 results from an abnormal expansion in a region of the DMPK gene. DM2 is caused by an expansion in the CNBP gene.

Locana is using its gene-editing CRISPR/Cas9 technology to target disorders, including DM and Huntington’s disease, caused by abnormally repeated genetic sequences.

With this monetary support, the MDA is hoping to build upon work detailed in proof-of-concept studies published the journal Cell in 2017. Those efforts involved researchers, including founding officers of Locana, that used CRISPR to edit RNA originating from mutations responsible for myotonic dystrophy. Scientists were able to successfully edit the faulty RNA in muscle cells of those with DM and related diseases, as well as reverse hallmark features of disease.

Producing RNA-targeting molecules could lead to enduring effects, the company said. That means the therapy might need to be administered just once.

The strategy is distinct from DNA-targeted approaches, as well as from nucleic acid-based RNA targeting. Its overarching goal is to produce a portfolio of treatments that address the primary cause of genetic diseases caused by the actions of dysfunctional RNA.

“Mutations in our DNA can cause disease, and our RNA-targeting technology platform allows us to precisely address these mutations,” Locana states on its website. “By targeting RNA, our approach avoids the risk of off-target effects in DNA.”

MVP, the MDA’s drug development program, is solely focused on funding the discovery and clinical application of treatments and cures for neuromuscular diseases.

French Myotonic Dystrophy Registry

A new article gives good information on the breakdown of DM1 in the French population. 

Fig. 3 Cartography of place of residence of enrolled DM participants. a The individual representation (N = 2875). Each dot refers to one patient
place of residence and dots position is allocated to a random position in the corresponding department (top left). b The regional distribution
according to the density of population (N = 2875). Darker the green is, more the DM is prevalent in the department (top right). c Distribution of
DM-Scope Registry enrolled patients among paediatric French neuromuscular expert centres (26 centres, N = 255). The number of enrolled
patients is spot-size dependent (bottom left). d Distribution of DM-Scope Registry enrolled patients among adult French neuromuscular expert
centres (29 centres, N = 2620). The number of enrolled patients is spot-size dependent (bottom right)
French-Registry-article-dm1-myotonic-dystrophy

FastDM1 Test has High Accuracy

A New test has been available in recent time to detect myotonic dystrophy. From Websites it looks as though this is labeled “For Research Only” A study attached shows that the test seems very accurate. And a figure on one of the web sites seems to indicate that it may be used for in vitro fertilization. there seems to be two type of kits one that gives an exact sizing when the repeats are less than 180 and another that detects over 180 repeats. When you click on the pictures of the test below it takes you to a related test which can give you an idea of what 

 
 

Myotonic Dystrophy 1 FASTDM1

Sales start during ESHG-Barcelona 2016!

Myotone Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1, Steinert Disease) is the most common form of muscular dystrophies by adults. In non-molecular testing methods for DM1, there is a risk of confusion due to overlapping symptoms with other neuromuscular diseases. A clear diagnosis is only possible molecular-genetic. TNR Diagnostics develops assays to detect the size of CTG Repeat expansions on the DMPK gene. Early diagnoses and associated symptom management can bring significant relief to affected patients.

Molecular genetic testing of the DMPK gene is necessary in individuals with suspected muscle weakness. Early diagnosis of DM1 patients would allow early intervention with medications for symptoms such as heart problems, diabetes mellitus and cataract.

Brochure to download here.

 

Change of landscape for muscular dystrophy testing

The FastDM1™ are a complete series of robust molecular diagnostic kits that meet the comprehensive testing requirements. Please click on the product image for more information about the various test kits .

 

DMPK Identification Kit DMPK Sizing Kit

Possible use for FastDM1™

The CTG repeat rate in the DMPK gene is responsible for muscle weakness in the affected individuals and causes a number of symptoms, such as cardiological problems, cataracts and diabetes mellitus. FastDM1™ DMPK analysis kits enable high-throughput sample processing without compromising sensitivity.

 

FastDM1-Diagnostic-Test-article

Kristy K. Schumacher Obituary

Kristy K. Schumacher

     

CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. — Kristy K. Schumacher, 48, of Chippewa Falls passed away Sunday, June 4, 2017, at Wissota Health and Vent Center in Chippewa Falls, after a long battle with myotonic dystrophy.

She was born in La Crosse to Edwin and Valeria Schumacher Jan. 3, 1969. She went to school at Onalaska High. She loved to play bingo, Yahtzee and enjoyed making arts and crafts. She was Tim McGraw’s and Shania Twain’s biggest fan. Kristy was also an avid dolphin collector. Those who knew her, knew that she was as sassy as they come, especially to those at Wissota Health & Vent Center. Kristy was known for saying “It is what it is.”

Kristy is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, James; her nephew, Michael; grandparents, Walter and Mae Volk, and Edward and Kathrine Schumacher.

 

She is survived by her daughter, Kayla of Madison, Wis.; her siblings, Jeff (Mary) of La Crosse, Peter (Maureen) of La Crosse, David (Patty) of La Crosse, Paula (Chris) Kettner of Mazomanie, Wis., Stevie (Carol) of Fond du Lac, Wis., Ronnie (Carmen) of Menomonie; special nieces and nephews, Cameron, Jordy, Syrus, Aubrey, Khloe and many more; her special friends, Kathy Greener, Scott and Lisa Neumister and Libby Scarpelli.

 

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, June 11, at Wissota Health & Vent Center, 2815 County Hwy. I, Chippewa Falls, WI, 54729, at the Chapel.

Chippewa Valley Cremation Services of Altoona, Wis., is assisting the family with arrangements. To sign the guestbook or share a memory online, please visit www.chippewavalleycremation.com.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Paula Krause, 313 Scott St. Mazomanie, Wis., 53560.

Kristy’s family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Wissota Health & Vent Center for the love and compassion you gave Kristy, and for their patience with Kristy’s sassiness. A special thank you to Janet, Amy, Lindsey, Kareen, Kris, Sheri, Lolly, Cythnia, Becky, and the rest of the wonderful staff.

Social Widgets powered by AB-WebLog.com.