In a new experiment, biologists have found that an existing anti-cancer drug can slow down
DMD occurs as a result of a gene mutationX chromosome, which reduces the production of the dystrophin protein. Without it, muscle cells become fragile and easily damaged, causing patients to gradually lose muscle function. Eventually, the disease progresses to the muscles involved in the heart and lungs, resulting in a shortened life expectancy.
Scientists from the University of British Columbia (UBC)have found a drug that appears to slow the progression of DMD. It belongs to a group known as CSF1R inhibitors. They are already approved to treat some forms of cancer by blocking a receptor overexpressed in tumor cells.
Researchers accidentally discovered the roleCSF1R inhibitors in DMD. These drugs also deplete microglia, the resident macrophages in the central nervous system. Previously, scientists tried to “reboot” the population of these cells in this way.
In this case, scientists investigated the role of thesemacrophages in muscle regeneration. But when they depleted the mice's macrophages, they found that the animals' muscle fibers unexpectedly became more resistant to the damage caused by muscular dystrophy.
The study was published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
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