Current and emerging treatment strategies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Abstract

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most common form of muscular dystrophy in childhood. It is caused by mutations of the DMD gene, leading to progressive muscle weakness, loss of independent ambulation by early teens, and premature death due to cardiorespiratory complications. The diagnosis can usually be made after careful review of the history and examination of affected boys presenting with developmental delay, proximal weakness, and elevated serum creatine kinase, plus confirmation by muscle biopsy or genetic testing. Precise characterization of the DMD mutation is important for genetic counseling and individualized treatment. Current standard of care includes the use of corticosteroids to prolong ambulation and to delay the onset of secondary complications. Early use of cardioprotective agents, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, and other supportive strategies has improved the life expectancy and health-related quality of life for many young adults with DMD. New emerging treatment includes viral-mediated microdystrophin gene replacement, exon skipping to restore the reading frame, and nonsense suppression therapy to allow translation and production of a modified dystrophin protein. Other potential therapeutic targets involve upregulation of compensatory proteins, reduction of the inflammatory cascade, and enhancement of muscle regeneration. So far, data from DMD clinical trials have shown limited success in delaying disease progression; unforeseen obstacles included immune response against the generated mini-dystrophin, inconsistent evidence of dystrophin production in muscle biopsies, and failure to demonstrate a significant improvement in the primary outcome measure, as defined by the 6-minute walk test in some studies. The long-term safety and efficacy of emerging treatments will depend on the selection of appropriate clinical end points and sensitive biomarkers to detect meaningful changes in disease progression. Correction of the underlying mutations using new gene-editing technologies and corticosteroid analogs with better safety profiles offers renewed hope for many individuals with DMD and their families.

Keywords:

• Duchenne muscular dystrophy
• emerging treatment
• standard of care
• review

Introduction – case illustration

A 3-year-old boy is referred for evaluation of developmental delay. He was born after an unremarkable pregnancy at term, with no complications. His development was normal during the first year. Although he is generally healthy and has good muscle bulk, he did not walk until after his second birthday. He is shy and he currently speaks in single words only. His examination is normal apart from calf hypertrophy and proximal weakness. He struggles to get up from the floor, and he is unable to run, jump, or climb stairs on his own. Initial investigation shows an elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) of 35,000 U/L (normal <200 U/L). Molecular genetic testing reveals an out of frame mutation in the DMD gene. His parents want to know more about the diagnosis and available treatment options.

Background on Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic muscle disorder that affects one per 3,500–5,000 live-born males; it is the most common type of muscular dystrophy in childhood.^1,2 It is caused by mutations of the DMD gene, located on chromosome Xp21, which encodes for dystrophin, a 427 kDa protein that is expressed at the muscle sarcolemma. The absence of dystrophin destabilizes the muscle membrane, leading to the clinical features of motor developmental delay, calf hypertrophy, joint contractures, and progressive muscle weakness in affected boys, with markedly elevated serum CK that reflects ongoing muscle damage. In addition, boys with DMD may have a variable degree of speech delay, learning disability, and/or cognitive impairment.^3,4 Progressive muscle degeneration eventually leads to loss of independent ambulation by early adolescence, scoliosis, cardiomyopathy, respiratory insufficiency, and reduced life expectancy, with death occurring before the third or fourth decade of life due to cardiorespiratory complications, according to recent DMD natural history studies.^5,6

The DMD gene is one of the largest known human genes. It contains 79 exons, which include an actin-binding domain at the N-terminus, 24 spectrin-like repeat units, a cysteine-rich dystroglycan binding site, and a C-terminal domain.^7,8 The extremely large size of the gene contributes to a complex mutational spectrum, with >7,000 different mutations and a high spontaneous mutation rate.⁹ Approximately two-thirds of cases are maternally inherited; the remaining one-third occurs as a result of spontaneous mutations.¹⁰ Large (one or more exons) deletions account for approximately two-thirds of all DMD mutations; the rest are due to duplications and small deletions, insertions, point mutations, or splicing mutations.^11,12 The severe phenotype associated with DMD is most often caused by out-of-frame mutations, with complete loss of the dystrophin protein.^13,14 In-frame mutations that allow for the synthesis of an internally truncated but partially functional protein are associated with a milder and more variable phenotype known as Becker muscular dystrophy or X-linked dilated cardiomyopathy; exceptions to the reading frame hypothesis occur in <10% of all DMD mutations.^10,15 Disease severity is also affected by other genetic modifiers distinct from the DMD gene, including single nucleotide polymorphism of the latent transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) binding protein 4 (LBP4) gene and osteopontin, encoded by the secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) gene; both genes appear to influence disease progression in DMD by modifying the age at loss of independent ambulation, the age at onset of dilated cardiomyopathy, and the clinical response to corticosteroid treatment.^16–18

Dystrophin is an integral part of the dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex. It is in close association with other cytoskeletal proteins, including F-actin via its N-terminus and part of the rod domain; it also binds to dystroglycan via its cysteine-rich domain and to dystrobrevin and syntrophin via the C-terminal domain.¹⁹ Thus, dystrophin provides structural stability to the skeletal muscle by connecting the sarcolemma and the basal lamina of the extracellular matrix to the inner cytoskeleton. It is also essential for cell survival via its transmembrane signaling function and modulation of vasomotor response to physical activity.²⁰ Three isoforms of dystrophin are derived from independent promoters in the brain, retina, and Purkinje cerebellar neurons; mutations in these tissue specific isoforms of dystrophin likely contribute to the extramuscular manifestations of DMD, including cognitive, behavioral, and learning difficulties.¹⁹

Loss of dystrophin as a result of DMD gene mutations disrupts the dystrophin glycoprotein complex, leading to increased muscle membrane fragility. A cascade of events including influx of calcium into the sarcoplasm, activation of proteases and proinflammatory cytokines, and mitochondrial dysfunction results in progressive muscle degeneration.^20–22 In addition, displacement of neuronal nitric oxide synthase contributes to tissue ischemia, increased oxidative stress, and reparative failure.²³ Disease progression is characterized by increasing muscle necrosis, fibrosis, and fatty tissue replacement and a greater degree of fiber size variation seen in subsequent muscle biopsies.²⁴

Making a diagnosis of DMD

The diagnosis of DMD can usually be made after a careful review of the clinical history, physical examination, and confirmation by additional investigations, including muscle biopsy and/or molecular genetic testing.³ A positive family history of DMD is not required, as approximately one-third of cases may occur as a result of spontaneous mutation. The presence of motor developmental delay with or without speech delay and muscle hypertrophy in a young boy should trigger the order of serum CK as an initial diagnostic screen for DMD, especially if the child also has signs of proximal muscle weakness, manifesting as an abnormal waddling gait, or a positive Gowers’ sign (Figure 1).²⁵ As shown in the case illustration earlier, the muscle enzymes as measured by serum CK are usually markedly elevated. Raised muscle enzymes in DMD also contribute to persistently high serum alanine and aspartate transaminase levels; in some cases, the diagnosis may be delayed due to initial investigations for suspected hepatic dysfunction.

Figure 1 A young boy illustrates the typical Gowers’ sign.

Notes: The maneuver consists of pushing on the floor, followed by climbing up on his legs to achieve a standing position, due to proximal muscle weakness.

Genetic testing for DMD mutations includes multiplex polymerase chain reaction focusing on the most commonly deleted regions of the gene or other assays that interrogate all 79 exons, such as multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) or comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) microarray.^12,26 If these diagnostic tests fail to identify the presence of a disease-causing deletion or duplication, complete gene sequencing is required to define the precise mutational event. A muscle biopsy can also be obtained for dystrophin immunostaining and extraction of RNA to produce complementary DNA and confirm a dystrophin mutation. The muscle biopsy typically shows a dystrophic process with ongoing muscle degeneration and regeneration; dystrophin immunostaining is usually absent or markedly reduced, except in rare revertant fibers. Using currently available diagnostic methods, it is possible to identify the mutations and confirm the clinical phenotypes in nearly all patients with dystrophinopathy.²⁷

Supportive treatment for DMD

Identification of a specific mutation is important for accurate diagnosis, prognosis, and individualized treatment for affected boys with DMD, as well as genetic counseling for their families.²⁸ Beyond realizing the severity of the diagnosis, parents live with uncertainty in anticipation of future losses and limitations that their children will experience, and anxiety as to how their children may react to those losses. For most parents, the demand of caring for their child with neuromuscular disease was disruptive to family life; the needs of the siblings, the spouse, and the primary caregiver tended to become secondary priorities.²⁹ The stress caused by the cognitive, behavioral, and other psychosocial challenges related to DMD can sometimes exceed those associated with the physical aspects of the disease.^30,31 Increased burden of care and emotional distress are also common among caregivers of adults with DMD.³² These realities underscore the need for assessment and support of the entire family.³ Family-centered care, timely referrals, and appropriate community support can help parents to become experts on their child’s diagnosis and normalize their daily care routine (Table 1).³³ Mothers who are confirmed carriers of dystrophin mutations will also require periodic health surveillance for possible cardiomyopathy, myalgia, and/or proximal muscle weakness.³⁴

Table 1 Current supportive strategies for DMD

Key stages and strategies	Early to late ambulatory stage (4–9 years old)	Early nonambulatory stage (10–16 years old)	Late nonambulatory stage (>16 years old)
Family knowledge: Show respect for the family’s perspective and expertise Identify family’s needs, strengths, and priorities on an ongoing Basis Provide information that matches the family’s needs Facilitate family-to-family support	Discuss: DMD natural history Role of corticosteroids Genetic counseling Carrier testing if indicated Provide written material, websites, and peer support information Participation in DMD research Parent project website MDA	Discuss: Review previous topics Nutrition, scoliosis, cardiac, respiratory issues, and corticosteroids-related side effects Management of nocturnal hypoventilation and cardiomyopathy if present School and social support Respite and financial needs Adolescent quality of life	Discuss: Review previous topics Home care Cardiac treatment Nutritional support Options for long-term ventilation support Transition to adult services Advance care directive
Professional support: Involve families in decision-Making Develop services that are flexible to the needs of individual families Provide service coordination and integration within and between sectors	Medical consultations: Genetics Respirology Orthopedics Cardiology Neurology Pediatrics Physiatry Ophthalmology Allied health support: Clinic Nurse, Dietitian Physiotherapy, Psychologist Social work, Occupational therapy MDA community liaison	Medical consultations: As before, plus: Endocrinology for osteoporosis and bisphosphonate therapy Home care Chest physiotherapy Lung volume recruitment Cough assist devices Seating for wheelchair Passive and active exercises	Medical consultations: As before, plus: Palliative care
Medical therapy: Provide high-quality general and illness-specific information Establish opportunities for family involvement in decision-making at all levels of the organization	Immunizations: Varicella vaccine Pneumococcal vaccine Influenza vaccine Corticosteroids: Deflazacort (0.9 mg/kg/d) or prednisone (0.75 mg/kg/d) Physiotherapy: Passive stretching, night splints Bone health: Calcium supplementation Vitamin D supplementation Others: Behavioral intervention Weight management	Review previous topics, plus: Interventions (as required): ACE inhibitor, diuretics, and/or beta-blocker for cardiomyopathy Antibiotics for respiratory tract infections Sitting ankle–foot orthotics Scoliosis surgery Pre-op consultations: Cardiology Respirology Anesthesiology	Review previous topics
Clinical/laboratory monitoring: Create family-friendly physical environments	Weight, height Blood pressure Muscle function testing ECG, echocardiogram Pulmonary function testing Spine X-ray Wrist X-ray for bone age Bone densitometry scan 25-hydroxyvitamin D level	Same as before, plus: Sleep studies ECG, echocardiogram (yearly)	Same as before

Note: Copyright © 2010. Cambridge University Press. Adapted from McMillan HJ, Campbell C, Mah JK. Canadian Paediatric Neuromuscular Group. Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Canadian paediatric neuromuscular physicians survey. Can J Neurol Sci. 2010;37(2):195–205.³³

Abbreviations: DMD, Duchenne muscular dystrophy; MDA, muscular dystrophy association; ACE, angiotensin-converting enzyme; ECG, electrocardiography.

There is presently no cure for DMD. Current treatment strategies focus on optimizing growth and development, promoting well-balanced diet, participating in physical and recreational activity, and delaying the onset of secondary complications through ongoing medical and psychosocial support.³⁵ Supportive interventions including timely treatment with corticosteroids, early afterload reduction for cardiomyopathy, aggressive management of heart failure, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, and effective airway clearance strategies have contributed to prolonged survival of individuals with DMD. The mean age of death from DMD increased from 14.4 years in the 1960s to 25.3 years in the 1990s, with corresponding improvement in affected individuals’ health-related quality of life.^36–38

Standard of care for DMD

Recent publications from leading experts have provided comprehensive guidelines on the diagnosis and multidisciplinary management of DMD, including the use of corticosteroids.^3,35,39,40 Historically, corticosteroids offered benefit to boys with DMD by stabilizing muscle strength and function,^41,42 prolonging independent ambulation,^43,44 and delaying the progression of scoliosis⁴⁵ and cardiomyopathy.⁴⁶ Continued treatment after loss of independent ambulation has also been shown to be beneficial.^47,48 On the basis of available literature and clinical experience, current clinical practice guidelines strongly endorse the consideration of corticosteroid therapy for all DMD patients, starting at the early ambulatory stage of the disease.^3,49 Daily oral prednisone (0.75 mg/kg) or deflazacort (0.9 mg/kg) is generally recommended as a disease-modifying treatment for DMD; intermittent steroids dosing schedule (10 days on/10 days off or high dose weekends only) are less commonly prescribed.⁵⁰ Prednisone and deflazacort are currently being studied in a head-to-head fashion as part of the FOR-DMD (NCT01603407) clinical trial; the results will hopefully determine the optimum corticosteroid regimen for DMD.

Common steroid-related side effects include short stature, obesity, cataracts, and skeletal fractures.^44,51 In particular, approximately one-third of boys with DMD may develop vertebral compression fractures due to long-term corticosteroid use, progressive muscle weakness, impaired vitamin D and calcium absorption, and immobilization. Regular physical activity, calcium-enriched diet, optimization of vitamin D, and periodic assessments including lateral spine X-ray and bone density by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan are recommended as part of bone health management.³⁵ Bisphosphonates are generally reserved for those with symptomatic vertebral compression and/or recurrent fragility fractures in the extremity, in association with persistent or multiple bone health risk factors;³⁵ however, the long-term efficacy of bisphosphonate therapy for boys with DMD remains limited.^52,53 Alternative treatments including denosumab and recombinant parathyroid hormone have not been formally evaluated in DMD.⁵⁴

Cardiac complications are common in DMD, including myocardial necrosis, conduction defects, and/or arrhythmias.^55,56 Progressive cardiomyopathy is one of the leading causes of mortality in DMD.^36,57 Common electro cardiography (ECG) abnormalities include sinus tachycardia, tall R waves in V1, deep Q waves in the inferolateral leads, ST depression, prolonged QT interval, and increased QT dispersion.⁵⁸ Echocardiographic evidence of structural heart disease in DMD patients includes left ventricular hypertrophy, regional wall motion abnormalities, dilation of the cardiac chambers, valvular abnormalities, and left ventricular systolic dysfunction.^59,60 Despite the high prevalence of cardiac disease, most affected individuals are asymptomatic due to their low physical capability;⁶¹ the diagnosis and treatment of DMD-related cardiomyopathy were often delayed.⁶² According to the 2010 DMD guidelines, baseline assessment including ECG and echocardiogram should be performed at diagnosis, with reassessments at least every 2 years and then annually after 10 years of age.³⁵ However, echocardiograms may be technically difficult in DMD due to the development of progressive scoliosis, chest wall deformities, and respiratory insufficiency, thus limiting the utility of echocardiograms among patients with more advanced stages of the disease.

Increasingly, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been used for the surveillance of myocardial dysfunction in DMD, especially in combination with gadolinium.⁶³ Using late gadolinium enhancement, cardiac MRI may detect early myocardial fibrosis, in the absence of any overt echocardiographic abnormalities;⁶⁴ however, young children (especially <6 years old) or those with significant cognitive or behavioral issues may not be able to tolerate the procedure without sedation. Early use of cardioprotective treatment including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or beta-blocker may help delay the progression of cardiomyopathy.^35,58 The addition of eplerenone to ACE inhibitors can also attenuate the decline in left ventricular systolic function.⁶⁵ According to a recent DMD working group, new cardiac guidelines will soon be available to address the expanded use of cardiac MRI, the use of myocardial strain analysis and other advanced echocardiographic imaging techniques, and the need for early initiation of anti-heart failure regimen for the treatment of DMD-related cardiomyopathy.⁶³

Individuals with DMD are also at increasing risk of respiratory complications due to progressive decline in respiratory muscle function.^66,67 Signs of respiratory insufficiency include ineffective cough, recurrent chest infection, nocturnal hypoventilation, sleep disordered breathing, and eventually daytime respiratory failure.^36,57 Regular pulmonary function testing is needed to monitor for early signs of respiratory insufficiency and to optimize treatment.³⁵ The initial treatment for nocturnal hypoventilation in DMD patients includes noninvasive positive pressure ventilation by nasal prongs or face mask to improve sleep quality, decrease daytime sleepiness, enhance gas exchange, and delay the decline in the pulmonary function.⁶⁸ Additional supportive strategies include chest physiotherapy, mechanical insufflation–exsufflation, and/or lung volume recruitment exercises to improve lung compliance and prevent atelectasis.^69,70 The combination of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, assisted airway clearance, mechanical cough assistance, and other respiratory supportive strategies allows DMD patients to live beyond their third decade of life.⁷¹

The natural history of DMD includes increasing joint contractures and scoliosis as a result of progressive weakness, immobility, muscular imbalance, and fibrotic replacement in muscle tissue.³⁵ The use of corticosteroids is associated with prolonged independent ambulation, delayed onset of scoliosis, and reduced need for spinal surgery.⁷² Affected individuals should be instructed to do active, active-assisted, and/or passive stretching exercise daily. Night splints can be worn to help minimize heel cord contractures, and serial casting may also be considered for short periods of time during the ambulatory phase of DMD.³⁵

Routine health surveillance and growth monitoring are important for all pediatric DMD patients. Optimal nutritional status, as defined by weight or body mass index between the 10th and the 85th percentiles for age, based on national growth charts, should be encouraged.³⁵ Referral to dietitian and formal feeding assessments may be indicated, particularly for those with bulbar symptoms or advanced stage of DMD.⁷³ Other anticipatory guidance includes regular trivalent inactivated influenza and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccinations, in addition to routine childhood immunizations. As well, assessment for wheelchair, lifts, and other adaptive technology should be included as part of the comprehensive treatment plan.^3,35

Therapeutic strategies for DMD

Recent scientific advances have led to new disease-modifying treatments for many neuromuscular diseases including DMD.^74–76 Identification of coordination centers and patients eligible for specific DMD trials has been greatly facilitated by the establishment of TREAT-NMD and other international DMD disease registries.¹⁵ Regularly updated information about DMD clinical trials is available at https://www.ClinicalTrials.gov. A significant proportion of the active studies are enrolling participants by invitation only; as well, many of the studies listed are either Phase I safety or smaller Phase II pilot studies, with a fewer number of Phase III double-blind randomized trials. The main therapeutic strategies include, 1) gene replacement or other genetic therapies linked to specific mutations to restore dystrophin production;^77–79 2) membrane stabilization and/or upregulation of compensatory proteins;^80,81 and 3) reduction of the inflammatory cascade and/or enhancement of muscle regeneration (Table 2).^82,83 Specific examples of emerging therapeutic strategies for DMD, including exon skipping and nonsense mutation suppression therapies, are briefly summarized in the genetic therapies section.

Table 2 Emerging therapies for DMD

Gene replacement therapies

rAAV2.5-CMV-Mini-dystrophy

rAAVrh74.MCK. Mini-dystrophya

rAAV1.CMV.huFollistatin344a

Other genetic therapies

Nonsense suppression

Gentamicin

Ataluren (Translarna)a

NPC-14 (arbekacin sulfate)a

Exon skipping

Exon 53

SRP4053 (Serapta)a

PRO053 (Prosensa)a

NS-065/NCNP-01a

Exon 51

AVI-4658/eteplirsena

GSK2402968/drisapersena

Exon 45

DS-5141ba

PRO045a

SRP4045a

Exon 44

PRO044a

Cell therapy using muscle precursor cells or stem cells

Myoblasts transfera

Mesoangioblasts transplantation

Umbilical cord based allogenic mesenchymal stem cellsa

Bone marrow autologousa and mononuclear stem cellsa

Membrane stabilization and upregulation of cytoskeletal proteins

Utrophin upregulation: SMT C1100

Treatment of secondary cascades

Anti-inflammatory drugs

Givinostat (HDAC inhibitor)a

CAT-1004 (NF-κB inhibitor)a

Flavocoxid

TAS-205 (PDGD2 synthase inhibitor)

Others: idebenone, pentoxifylline, coenzyme Q10, oxatomide

Antifibrotic drugs/transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) inhibitors

Losartan and lisinopril

HT-100 (halofuginone)a

FG-3019 (monocloncal antibody to CTGF)a

Muscle regeneration

Myostatin inhibitors: ACE-031, PF-06252616a, BMS-986089a

Insulin growth factor (IGF1)a

Treatment of muscle ischemia

Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors: tadalafil and sildenafil

VEGF

Notes:

a Active or ongoing clinical trials, accessed on February 18, 2016 from www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Abbreviations: DMD, Duchenne muscular dystrophy; NF-κB, nuclear factor-kappa B; TGF-β, transforming growth factor beta; CTGF, connective tissue growth factor; ACE, angiotensin-converting enzyme; IGF, insulin growth factor; PDE5, phosphodiesterase 5; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.

Genetic therapies

Dystrophin gene replacement using virus vectors

Previous attempts to develop gene therapy for DMD have been complicated by the enormous size of the dystrophin gene. This was subsequently addressed by deleting selective regions of the dystrophin protein, leading to the generation of functional mini- and microdystrophins. Injection of adeno-associated viruses carrying microdystrophins into dystrophic canine model of DMD results in a striking improvement in the muscle histopathology.⁸⁴ However, earlier attempts in six boys with DMD due to frameshift mutations failed to achieve successful transgene expression, in part due to an unexpected primed T-cell-mediated immune response to the generated mini-dystrophin seen in two of the participants.⁸⁵ Additional clinical trials using recombinant adeno-associated viruses and more efficient vector delivery system to replace defective genes in DMD are currently in progress.⁸⁶

Exon skipping

Exon skipping uses synthetic antisense oligonucleotide sequences to correct specific dystrophin gene mutations. It does so by inducing specific exons skipping during pre-messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing of the dystrophin gene, resulting in restoration of the reading frame and partial production of an internally truncated protein, similar to the dystrophin protein expression seen in Becker muscular dystrophy. Antisense therapies that induce single or multiple exon skipping could potentially be helpful for the majority of dystrophin mutations.⁷⁹

An earlier Phase I clinical trial of four boys with DMD using PRO051, a 2′-O-methyl-phosphorothioate oligoribonucleotide designed to skip exon 51 in dystrophin pre-mRNA, showed partial (17%–35%) restoration of dystrophin after a single intramuscular injection into the tibialis anterior.⁸⁷ This was followed by a Phase II study including weekly subcutaneous injections of PRO051, also known as drisapersen, up to 6 mg/kg/dose into 12 young DMD boys with a mean age of 9.2 years (range 5–13 years).⁸⁸ In addition to injection site reactions, drisapersen was associated with transient elevation of α1-microglubulinuria and variable proteinuria; a slight increase in dystrophin expression and a modest improvement in the mean 6-minute walk test (6MWT) distance of 35.2 m (SD 28.7 m) were seen after a 3-month open-label extension treatment.⁸⁸ Furthermore, a single subcutaneous injection of drisapersen at escalating doses for 20 nonambulatory boys aged 9–12 years with DMD was well tolerated, aside from transient proteinuria, fever, and acute inflammatory reactions seen in three participants given the 9 mg/kg dose.⁸⁹ However, a larger Phase III clinical trial involving 186 boys with DMD (NCT01254019) failed to show a significant difference in the 6MWT among participants on drisapersen versus placebo.⁹⁰ In a subsequent Phase II study involving a younger (mean age of 7.3 years, range 5–11 years) cohort of 53 patients with DMD, boys receiving continuous drisapersen weekly for 25 weeks demonstrated a slight improvement in the 6MWT and increased expression of dystrophin; however, there was no significant difference in the 6WMT at week 49.⁹¹ Furthermore, results of formal muscle strength and other timed function tests did not differ between either continuous or intermittent drisapersen regimen versus placebo.⁹¹ Further data from the open-label extension study of drisapersen (NCT02636686) is pending.

Eteplirsen (AVI-4658) is a phosphoramidate morpholino oligomer designed specifically for exon 51 skipping.^92,93 In a subsequent double-blind placebo-controlled trial involving 12 participants (age 7–12 years) for 24 weeks followed by an open-label extension study of eteplirsen at either 30 mg/kg/wk or 50 mg/kg/wk, Mendell et al⁹⁴ found encouraging results in a subset (n=10) of participants, with significant improvement in walking ability and stabilization in their clinical function, and histological evidence of de novo dystrophin production and restoration of the dystrophin-associated protein complex in the muscle biopsies. Two older twin boys lost ambulation due to rapid disease progression, and they were excluded from the modified intention-to-treat analysis.⁹⁴ No significant adverse effects were noted after weekly treatment for >3 years following the open-label extension study.⁹⁵ The clinical benefits of eteplirsen for DMD will be determined as part of a larger confirmation study that is currently underway (PROMOVI, NCT0225552). Other exon skipping trials involving exons 44, 45, 53, and multiple exon skipping are planned.^96,97

Nonsense suppression therapy

Approximately 10%–15% of DMD is caused by point mutations leading to a premature stop codon.^11,15 Premature stop codons are nucleotide triplets within mRNA that signal the termination of protein translation by binding release factors and causing the ribosomal subunits to disassociate and release the shortened amino acid chain. This usually results in a loss of the functional protein, as critical parts of the amino acid chain are missing. Aminoglycosides and other nonsense mutation suppression agents bind to the ribosomal RNA subunits and impair the recognition of premature stop codon, thus allowing translation and production of a modified dystrophin protein. Earlier treatment trials with gentamicin showed mixed results, with additional caution regarding its long-term use due to potential renal- and oto-toxicity.^98–100

Ataluren (also known as Translarna) is an orally bioavailable drug designed to overcome premature nonsense mutations.¹⁰¹ Early studies of ataluren showed that it was generally safe and well tolerated.¹⁰² Among 174 boys with DMD due to confirmed premature stop codon mutations, a double-blind placebo-controlled study for 48 weeks showed a marginally significant improvement in 6MWT for those receiving low-dose (40 mg/kg/d) ataluren only; those on high-dose (80 mg/kg/d) treatment did not improve in their 6MWT when compared with placebo, and the results were attributed to ataluren’s bell-shaped dose–response curve.¹⁰³ Ataluren has received conditional approval by the European Medicines Agency since August 2014;¹⁰⁴ results from the confirmatory trial (NCT02090959) is currently pending. Clinical trials involving other nonsense mutation suppression agents including arbekacin sulfate (NCT01918384) are being planned.¹⁰⁵

Cell therapy using muscle precursor cells or stem cells

Earlier attempts with myoblasts transfer were unsuccessful due to a number of factors, including limited viability of the donor cells after transplantation and suboptimal response from the use of older immunosuppressive regimen.¹⁰⁶ Even though a recent clinical trial showed that intra-arterial transplantation of human leukocyte antigen-matched sibling donor mesoangioblasts with better immunosuppression therapy was relatively safe and well tolerated, only a low level of donor DNA was found in the muscle biopsies, and no functional improvements were seen among the five boys with DMD posttransplant.¹⁰⁷ New cell therapies including induced pluripotent stem cells offer the potential of yielding an unlimited supply of autologous stem cells; however, patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells will need to be genetically corrected before transplantation, and the long-term safety of this approach remains undefined.¹⁰⁸

Membrane stabilization and upregulation of cytoskeletal proteins

Compensatory upregulation of cytoskeleton proteins including utrophin,¹⁰⁹ alpha-7-beta-1 integrin,¹¹⁰ biglycan,¹¹¹ and sarcospan¹¹² has been shown to stabilize the sarcolemma, in the absence of dystrophin in mdx mice, with improvement seen in the muscle biopsies. SMT C1100 is an oral bioavailable molecule specifically designed to target the utrophin-A promoter to increase utrophin expression; both SMT C1100 and its related compounds SMT022357 were shown in vitro and in vivo experiments to increase the production of utrophin and reduce the dystrophic changes in the skeletal and cardiac muscles.¹¹³ Further clinical trials data related to SMT C1100 (NCT02056808 and NCT02383511) are currently pending.

Treatment of secondary cascades

Anti-inflammatory drugs

The IκB kinase/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling is persistently elevated in immune cells and regenerative muscle fibers in both animal models and patients with DMD.¹¹⁴ As well, activators of NF-κB such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukins 1 and 6 are upregulated in DMD muscles. Pharmacological inhibition of NF-κB using the NEMO-binding domain peptide resulted in improved pathology and muscle function in mouse models of muscular dystrophy.^115,116 Additional research is needed to identify the role of selective NF-κB modulators and similar anti-inflammatory interventions for DMD.¹¹⁷

Other potential anti-inflammatory therapies including N-acetylcysteine,¹¹⁸ green tea extract,¹¹⁹ idebenone,^120,121 melatonin,^122,123 and pentoxifylline¹²⁴ were previously tried for DMD, with inconclusive results. Newer agents including givinostat (NCT01761292), a histone deacetylase inhibitor;¹²⁵ CAT1004 (NCT02439216), an oral molecule that inhibits activated NF-κB; and flavocoxid (NCT01335295), a blend of plant-derived flavonoids with anti-inflammatory activity, are currently under evaluation as potential disease-modifying treatment for DMD.^126,127

Antifibrotic drugs

Elevated levels of TGF-β in muscular dystrophies stimulate fibrosis and impair muscle regeneration by blocking the activation of satellite cells. A number of antifibrotic agents have been tested in murine models of muscular dystrophy, including losartan, an angiotensin II-type 1 receptor blocker that reduces the expression of TGF-β.^128–130 Other potential fibrosis inhibitors include HT-100 (halofuginone),¹³¹ FG-3019, a monoclonal antibody to connective tissue growth factor,¹³² and targeted microRNAs;^133,134 further clinical trials are pending.

Muscle regeneration

Myostatin is a negative regulator of muscle mass. Inhibition or blockade of endogenous myostatin offers a potential means to compensate for the severe muscle wasting that is common in many types of muscular dystrophies including DMD. A Phase I/II multicenter clinical trial using MYO-029, a myostatin blocking antibody for adult subjects with Becker muscular dystrophies and other dystrophies, demonstrated safety, but the study was not sufficiently powered for efficacy.⁷⁴ Clinical trials using follistatin and other myostatin inhibitors including PF-06252616 (NCT02310764) and BMS-986089 (NCT02515669) are currently under way.^127,135,136 As well, the therapeutic potential of insulin growth factor (NCT01207908) as a positive regulator of muscle development and regeneration was shown in the dystrophic mouse models,¹³⁷ especially when combined with mesenchymal stromal cells.^138,139 Due to its regeneration-enhancing mechanism, this combinational approach may have general applicability for other muscular dystrophies.

Treatment of muscle ischemia

Loss of dystrophin leads to displacement of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and reduction of muscle-derived nitric oxide to the microvasculature, resulting in functional muscle ischemia and further muscle injury.¹⁹ Strategies to increase blood flow include pharmaceutical inhibition of either phosphodiesterase-5 or ACE, induction of angiogenesis through delivery of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), or downregulation of the VEGF decoy-receptor type 1 (VEGFR-1 or Flt-1).^140,141 Despite initial promising results,¹⁴² clinical trials involving the use of tadalafil as disease-modifying treatment for DMD (NCT01865084 and 01070511) have recently been terminated due to a lack of demonstrated efficacy in slowing the decline of the 6MWT.

Future therapeutic targets

Given the limited success of exon skipping and other disease-modifying treatment for DMD to date, future clinical trials may include pharmacogenomics consideration, high-throughput screening, mRNA or genome-wide association studies, and additional translational research from animal models to identify other potential therapeutic options.^78,143 Current challenges including T-cell-mediated immune response or antibodies to generated dystrophin, limited evidence of dystrophin production in muscle biopsies, inefficient methods of drug delivery to the whole body, and inconsistent efficacy will need to be resolved. The long-term safety and tolerability of ataluren, eteplirsen, and drisapersen will await additional monitoring and further Food and Drug Administration review. Currently, all three treatments have not been formally approved by the Food and Drug Administration due to insufficient data on long-term efficacy. Patient-focused perspective including health-related quality of life, satisfaction with care, acceptability or adherence to treatment, and participation in clinical trials will need to be considered in further collaborative research among neuromuscular disease registries and academic centers.

Correction of the genetic defect using engineered nucleases holds promise for the treatment of DMD.^144–146 Recent studies on mdx mouse showed functional recovery in treated mice with RNA-guided clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-Cas9 endonucleases delivered by adeno-associated virus, with reversal of dystrophic changes in skeletal muscle fibers and cardiomyocytes, as well as in muscle satellite cells.^144,147,148 The same genome editing technology can potentially benefit the majority of individuals with DMD, especially when combined with newborn screening.¹⁴⁸ As well, a new clinical trial involving the study of VBP15, an oral glucocorticoid analog with anti-inflammatory properties and improved side-effect profile, is scheduled to begin later this year for ambulatory boys with DMD.¹⁴⁹

Conclusion

The pathogenesis affecting DMD is complex; multiple interventions targeting different disease processes are needed. Early recognition and precise genetic diagnosis will allow for individualized therapeutic options for DMD.¹⁵⁰ Even though there is presently no cure, respiratory intervention and other supportive strategies as outlined in the current standard of care for DMD have led to improved survival and better health-related quality of life for many affected individuals. New emerging treatments will depend on the appropriate use of clinical end points and sensitive surrogate outcome measures such as muscle MRI and circulating biomarkers to detect meaningful changes in disease progression.^151–153

Disclosure

The author reports no conflicts of interest in this work.