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BACKGROUND: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major complication of, and leading cause of mortality in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Its severity, age at onset, and rate of progression display wide variability, whose molecular bases have been scarcely elucidated. Potential DCM-modifying factors include glucocorticoid (GC) and cardiological treatments, DMD mutation type and location, and variants in other genes. METHODS AND RESULTS: We retrospectively collected 3138 echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), shortening fraction (SF), and end-diastolic volume (EDV) from 819 DMD participants, 541 from an Italian multicentric cohort and 278 from the Cooperative International Neuromuscular Group Duchenne Natural History Study (CINRG-DNHS). Using generalized estimating equation (GEE) models, we estimated the yearly rate of decrease of EF (-0.80%) and SF (-0.41%), while EDV increase was not significantly associated with age. Utilizing a multivariate generalized estimating equation (GEE) model we observed that mutations preserving the expression of the C-terminal Dp71 isoform of dystrophin were correlated with decreased EDV (-11.01 mL/m2, p = 0.03) while for dp116 were correlated with decreased EF (-4.14%, p =

Genetic modifiers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are variants located in genes different from the disease-causing gene DMD, but associated with differences in disease onset, progression, or response to treatment. Modifiers described so far have been tested mainly for associations with ambulatory function, while their effect on upper limb function, which is especially relevant for quality of life and independence in non-ambulatory patients, is unknown. We tested genotypes at several known modifier loci (SPP1, LTBP4, CD40, ACTN3) for association with Performance Upper Limb version 1.2 score in an Italian multicenter cohort, and with Brooke scale score in the Cooperative International Neuromuscular Group Duchenne Natural History Study (CINRG-DNHS), using generalized estimating equation (GEE) models of longitudinally collected data, with age and glucocorticoid treatment as covariates. CD40 rs1883832, previously linked to earlier loss of ambulation, emerged as a modifier of upper limb function, negatively affecting shoulder and distal domains of PUL (p = 0.023 and 0.018, respectively) in the Italian cohort, as well as of Brooke score (p = 0.018) in the CINRG-DNHS. These findings will be useful for the design and interpretation of clinical trials in DMD, especially for non-ambulatory populations.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the longitudinal progression of decline in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients is moderated by ADRB1 genotype and whether the efficacy of ß-blocker therapy is influenced by genotype status. About 147 DMD patients (6-34 years.) were analyzed with a focus on β1 adrenergic receptor (ADRB1) genotype variants. Patients were grouped by ADRB1 genotype resulting in Gly389 patients and Arg389 patients. A generalized additive mixed effects model was used to examine differences in the nonlinear trend of LVEF across patient ages between genotype groups and for ß-blocker use. Both genotype groups displayed a progressive decline in LVEF starting around the mean age of ambulation loss (~12 years). However, there was no difference between genotype groups in the progression of decline in LVEF. There was a significant effect of ß-blocker use on longitudinal LVEF, wherein patients on ß-blockers had systematically lower LVEF when compared to patients not on ß-blockers. However, the effect of ß-blocker therapy on LVEF was not affected by ADRB1 genotype. The current study did not demonstrate an influence of patient ADRB1 genotype on longitudinal LVEF in our cohort. Despite previous literature suggesting a positive influence of ß-blocker use on cardiac function in DMD patients and of an ADRB1 genotypic difference in responsiveness to ß-blocker use, we did not observe this in our cohort. Interestingly, our cohort did not demonstrate a positive influence of ß-blocker use on LVEF measures.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by pathogenic variants in the DMD gene leading to the lack of dystrophin. Variability in the disease course suggests that other factors influence disease progression. With this study we aimed to identify genetic factors that may account for some of the variability in the clinical presentation. We compared whole-exome sequencing (WES) data in 27 DMD patients with extreme phenotypes to identify candidate variants that could affect disease progression. Validation of the candidate SNPs was performed in two independent cohorts including 301 (BIO-NMD cohort) and 109 (CINRG cohort of European ancestry) DMD patients, respectively. Variants in the Tctex1 domain containing 1 (TCTEX1D1) gene on chromosome 1 were associated with age of ambulation loss. The minor alleles of two independent variants, known to affect TCTEX1D1 coding sequence and induce skipping of its exon 4, were associated with earlier loss of ambulation. Our data show that disease progression of DMD is affected by a new locus on chromosome 1 and demonstrate the possibility to identify genetic modifiers in rare diseases by studying WES data in patients with extreme phenotypes followed by multiple layers of validation.

OBJECTIVE: Respiratory insufficiency is a major complication of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Its progression shows considerable interindividual variability, which has been less thoroughly characterized and understood than in skeletal muscle. We collected pulmonary function testing (PFT) data from a large retrospective cohort followed at Centers collaborating in the Italian DMD Network. Furthermore, we analyzed PFT associations with different DMD mutation types, and with genetic variants in SPP1, LTBP4, CD40, and ACTN3, known to modify skeletal muscle weakness in DMD. Genetic association findings were independently validated in the Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group Duchenne Natural History Study (CINRG-DNHS). METHODS AND RESULTS: Generalized estimating equation analysis of 1852 PFTs from 327 Italian DMD patients, over an average follow-up time of 4.5 years, estimated that forced vital capacity (FVC) declined yearly by -4.2%, forced expiratory volume in 1 sec by -5.0%, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) by -2.9%. Glucocorticoid (GC) treatment was associated with higher values of all PFT measures (approximately + 15% across disease stages). Mutations situated 3 of DMD intron 44, thus predicted to alter the expression of short dystrophin isoforms, were associated with lower (approximately -6%) PFT values, a finding independently validated in the CINRG-DNHS. Deletions amenable to skipping of exon 51 and 53 were independently associated with worse PFT outcomes. A meta-analysis of the two cohorts identified detrimental effects of SPP1 rs28357094 and CD40 rs1883832 minor alleles on both FVC and PEF. INTERPRETATION: These findings support GC efficacy in delaying respiratory insufficiency, and will be useful for the design and interpretation of clinical trials focused on respiratory endpoints in DMD.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive neuromuscular disease resulting in severe respiratory derangements. As such, DMD patients are at a high risk of nocturnal hypoventilation, thereby requiring nocturnal ventilation (NV). To this end, NV is an important clinical milestone in the management of DMD. Emerging evidence suggests that ß2 adrenergic receptors (ADRB2) may play a role in determining respiratory function, whereby more functional ADRB2 genotype variants (e.g., Gly16) are associated with improved pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength. These findings suggest that the more functional ADRB2 genotype may help to preserve respiratory function in patients with DMD. The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of ADRB2 genotype on the risk of NV use in DMD. Data from the CINRG Duchenne Natural History Study including 175 DMD patients (3-25 yrs) were analyzed focusing on ADRB2 genotype variants. Time-to-event analyses were used to examine differences in the age at prescription of full-time NV use between genotypes. There were no differences between genotype groups in age, height, weight, corticosteroid use, proportion of ambulatory patients, or age at loss of ambulation. DMD patients expressing the Gly16 polymorphism had a significantly (P

Human genetic variation (polymorphisms) in genes coding proteins involved in the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) of drugs can have a strong effect on drug exposure and downstream efficacy and safety outcomes. Vamorolone, a dissociative steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), primarily undergoes oxidation by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 and glucuronidation by UDP‐glucuronosyltransferases. This work assesses the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of vamorolone and sources of interindividual variability (IIV) in 81 steroid‐naïve boys with DMD aged 4 to <7 years old considering the genetic polymorphisms of CYPS3A4 (CYP3A4*22, CYP3A4*1B), CYP3A5 (CYP3A5*3), and UGT1A1 (UGT1A1*60) utilizing population PK modeling. A one‐compartment model with zero‐order absorption (Tk0, duration of absorption), linear clearance (CL/F), and volume (V/F) describes the plasma PK data for boys with DMD receiving a wide range of vamorolone doses (0.25‐6 mg/kg/day). The typical CL/F and V/F values of vamorolone were 35.8 L/h and 119 L, with modest IIV. The population Tk0 was 3.14 h yielding an average zero‐order absorption rate (k0) of 1.16 mg/kg/h with similar absorption kinetics across subjects at the same vamorolone dose (i.e., no IIV on Tk0). The covariate analysis showed that none of the genetic covariates had any significant impact on the PKs of vamorolone in boys with DMD. Thus, the PKs of vamorolone is very consistent in these young boys with DMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual dysfunctions are a common and unpleasant side effect in women cancer survivors that can drastically impair quality of life. The resources dedicated to evaluate and treat these dramatic sequalae are limited and scarcely known. Although it is intuitive to relate the worsening of the sexual function to gynecological cancers, it is lesser known that any female cancer may affect sexual health, as a result of physiological and physical damage derived from cancer diagnosis, surgical treatment and medical therapies. Non conservative surgery (i.e. radical mastectomy/radical vulvectomy) and adverse events derived from therapies, may alter the body image making women feel less attractive and self-con dent. Vasomotor symptoms and induced menopause, related to some type of surgery, endocrine e chemotherapy agents, may contribute to dyspareunia, vaginal dryness, anatomical genital changes and reduce libido. The symptomatology caused by the presence of the tumor itself, as occurs in lung cancer, may lead to fatigue and loss of interest towards sexual activity. Moreover, the therapeutic pathway may impact quality of the relationship with the partner. In our paper we collected evidence about the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in women affected by main solid tumors. Studies on this topic are heterogenous, retrospective and designed by using different questionnaires to evaluate sexual impairment. The literature de nes sexual health as relevant issue affecting the patients’ quality of life, from the diagnosis, through the therapy, to the follow up of cancer. A deeper awareness and sensibility to sexual health is needed among healthcare providers.

The expressivity of Mendelian diseases can be influenced by factors independent from the pathogenic mutation: in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), for instance, age at loss of ambulation (LoA) varies between individuals whose DMD mutations all abolish dystrophin expression. This suggests the existence of trans-acting variants in modifier genes. Common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes (SPP1, encoding osteopontin, and LTBP4, encoding latent transforming growth factor β [TGFβ]-binding protein 4) have been established as DMD modifiers. We performed a genome-wide association study of age at LoA in a sub-cohort of European or European American ancestry (n = 109) from the Cooperative International Research Group Duchenne Natural History Study (CINRG-DNHS). We focused on protein-altering variants (Exome Chip) and included glucocorticoid treatment as a covariate. As expected, due to the small population size, no SNPs displayed an exome-wide significant p value (< 1.8 × 10-6). Subsequently, we prioritized 438 SNPs in the vicinities of 384 genes implicated in DMD-related pathways, i.e., the nuclear-factor-κB and TGFβ pathways. The minor allele at rs1883832, in the 5-untranslated region of CD40, was associated with earlier LoA (p = 3.5 × 10-5). This allele diminishes the expression of CD40, a co-stimulatory molecule for T cell polarization. We validated this association in multiple independent DMD cohorts (United Dystrophinopathy Project, Bio-NMD, and Padova, total n = 660), establishing this locus as a DMD modifier. This finding points to cell-mediated immunity as a relevant pathogenetic mechanism and potential therapeutic target in DMD.

OBJECTIVE: To correlate time to loss of ambulation (LoA) and different truncating DMD gene mutations in a large, prospective natural history study of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), with particular attention to mutations amenable to emerging molecular treatments. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group Duchenne Natural History Study for participants with DMD single- or multi-exon deletions or duplications with defined exon boundaries (n = 186), or small mutations identified by sequencing (n = 26, including 16 nonsense point mutations). We performed a time-to-event analysis of LoA, a strong indicator of overall disease severity, adjusting for glucocorticoid treatment and genetic modifiers. RESULTS: Participants with deletions amenable to skipping of exon 44 had later LoA (median 14.8 years, hazard ratio 0.31, 95% confidence interval 0.14-0.69, p = 0.004). Age at LoA did not differ significantly in participants with deletions amenable to exon 45, 51, and 53 skipping, duplications, and small rearrangements. Nonsense mutation DMD also showed a typical median age at LoA (11.1 years), with a few outliers (ambulatory around or after 16 years of age) carrying stop codons within in-frame exons, more often situated in the rod domain. CONCLUSIONS: As exon 44 skipping-amenable DMD has a later LoA, mutation-specific randomization and selection of placebo groups are essential for the success of clinical trials.

ObjectiveWe aimed to perform an observational study of age at loss of independent ambulation (LoA) and side-effect profiles associated with different glucocorticoid corticosteroid (GC) regimens in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).MethodsWe studied 340 participants in the Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group Duchenne Natural History Study (CINRG-DNHS). LoA was defined as continuous wheelchair use. Effects of prednisone or prednisolone (PRED)/deflazacort (DFZ), administration frequency, and dose were analyzed by time-varying Cox regression. Side-effect frequencies were compared using χ(2) test.ResultsParticipants treated ≥1 year while ambulatory (n = 252/340) showed a 3-year median delay in LoA (p < 0.001). Fourteen different regimens were observed. Nondaily treatment was common for PRED (37%) and rare for DFZ (3%). DFZ was associated with later LoA than PRED (hazard ratio 0.294 ± 0.053 vs 0.490 ± 0.08, p = 0.003; 2-year difference in median LoA with daily administration, p < 0.001). Average dose was lower for daily PRED (0.56 mg/kg/d, 75% of recommended) than daily DFZ (0.75 mg/kg/d, 83% of recommended, p < 0.001). DFZ showed higher frequencies of growth delay (p < 0.001), cushingoid appearance (p = 0.002), and cataracts (p < 0.001), but not weight gain.ConclusionsUse of DFZ was associated with later LoA and increased frequency of side effects. Differences in standards of care and dosing complicate interpretation of this finding, but stratification by PRED/DFZ might be considered in clinical trials. This study emphasizes the necessity of a randomized, blinded trial of GC regimens in DMD.Classification of evidenceThis study provides Class IV evidence that GCs are effective in delaying LoA in patients with DMD.

ObjectiveWe studied the effects of LTBP4 and SPP1 polymorphisms on age at loss of ambulation (LoA) in a multiethnic Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) cohort.MethodsWe genotyped SPP1 rs28357094 and LTBP4 haplotype in 283 of 340 participants in the Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group Duchenne Natural History Study (CINRG-DNHS). Median ages at LoA were compared by Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test. We controlled polymorphism analyses for concurrent effects of glucocorticoid corticosteroid (GC) treatment (time-varying Cox regression) and for population stratification (multidimensional scaling of genome-wide markers).ResultsHispanic and South Asian participants (n = 18, 41) lost ambulation 2.7 and 2 years earlier than Caucasian subjects (p = 0.003,

It is expected that serum protein biomarkers in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) will reflect disease pathogenesis, progression and aid future therapy developments. Here, we describe use of quantitative in vivo stable isotope labeling in mammals to accurately compare serum proteomes of wild-type and dystrophin-deficient mdx mice. Biomarkers identified in serum from two independent dystrophin-deficient mouse models (mdx-Δ52 and mdx-23) were concordant with those identified in sera samples of DMD patients. Of the 355 mouse sera proteins, 23 were significantly elevated and 4 significantly lower in mdx relative to wild-type mice (P-value < 0.001). Elevated proteins were mostly of muscle origin: including myofibrillar proteins (titin, myosin light chain 1/3, myomesin 3 and filamin-C), glycolytic enzymes (aldolase, phosphoglycerate mutase 2, beta enolase and glycogen phosphorylase), transport proteins (fatty acid-binding protein, myoglobin and somatic cytochrome-C) and others (creatine kinase M, malate dehydrogenase cytosolic, fibrinogen and parvalbumin). Decreased proteins, mostly of extracellular origin, included adiponectin, lumican, plasminogen and leukemia inhibitory factor receptor. Analysis of sera from 1 week to 7 months old mdx mice revealed age-dependent changes in the level of these biomarkers with most biomarkers acutely elevated at 3 weeks of age. Serum analysis of DMD patients, with ages ranging from 4 to 15 years old, confirmed elevation of 20 of the murine biomarkers in DMD, with similar age-related changes. This study provides a panel of biomarkers that reflect muscle activity and pathogenesis and should prove valuable tool to complement natural history studies and to monitor treatment efficacy in future clinical trials.

The dystrophin‐associated protein complex (DAPC) is a highly organized multiprotein complex that plays a pivotal role in muscle fiber structure integrity and cell signaling. The complex is composed of three distinct interacting subgroups, intracellular peripheral proteins, transmembrane glycoproteins, and extracellular glycoproteins subcomplexes. Dystrophin protein nucleates the DAPC and is important for connecting the intracellular actin cytoskeletal filaments to the sarcolemma glycoprotein complex that is connected to the extracellular matrix via laminin, thus stabilizing the sarcolemma during muscle fiber contraction and relaxation. Genetic mutations that lead to lack of expression or altered expression of any of the DAPC proteins are associated with different types of muscle diseases. Hence characterization of this complex in healthy and dystrophic muscle might bring insights into its role in muscle pathogenesis. This review highlights the role of mass spectrometry in characterizing the DAPC interactome as well as post‐translational glycan modifications of some of its components such as α‐dystroglycan. Detection and quantification of dystrophin using targeted mass spectrometry are also discussed in the context of healthy versus dystrophic skeletal muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]