Q: What do Fergie, Josh Dumal and Scott Niedermayer have in common?
A: They are celebrity spokespeople for CureDuchenne a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funds research to find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
[dropshadowbox align=”center” effect=”lifted-both” width=”600px” height=”50px” background_color=”#ffffff” border_width=”1″ border_color=”#dddddd” ]What do you think about CELEBRITY spokespeople? Comment below![/dropshadowbox]CureDuchenne has funded seven research projects, with 10 different companies for 11 different drugs that have gone into human clinical trials. A breakdown of their clinical trial research portfolio can be found here, but it is important to note that DMD research has truly come such a long way.
Over two decades ago, researchers began cloning the dystrophin gene. Such genetic testing has proven promising in that the possibilities have been demonstrated in animal models. CureDuchenne says,
“Duchenne muscular dystrophy has gone from a disorder viewed often as incurable or hopeless to one with numerous potential treatment options.”
Still, the very nature of DMD poses solid challenges to each research strategy. CureDuchenne sums it up nicely below.
DMD Treatments need to:
- Target different muscles in the body, including respiratory and cardiac muscles
- Achieve long term effect
- Be equipped to handle potential immune responses and the likelihood of fibrosis
- Have drug version variations to address different mutations
We have found CureDuchenne’s Research Index to be one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date lists of DMD research for a cure strategies around, if you are looking to read up on what is going on in the community.
You can check out more DMD celebrity PSA’s here.
