Extracellular RNA Biomarkers of Myotonic Dystrophy

Purpose

Current methods of measuring the response to new treatments for muscular dystrophies involve the examination of small pieces of muscle tissue called biopsies. The investigators are interested in finding less invasive methods that reduce the need for muscle biopsies. The purpose of this research is to learn about the possibility of detecting and measuring the activity and severity of muscular dystrophies by examining a urine sample and a blood sample.

Condition

  • Myotonic Dystrophy

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 5 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  • Subjects with DM1 or DM2 based on genetic testing and/or clinical criteria (some subjects who have positive genetic testing may be asymptomatic, while other subjects who show characteristic clinical features may have declined to have genetic testing done). Control non-DM subjects are unknown to have DM or any other muscular dystrophy by history and may have had no genetic testing. - Able to provide informed consent or assent for participation in the study. - Demographic characteristics for single biofluid collection: Males and females age 5 years and older (DM1, DM2, and non-DM). - Demographic characteristics for repeated measurements: Males and females age 14 years and older with DM1. - Demographic characteristics for biofluid and muscle biopsy: Males and females, ages 18-65 years.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Medical history of any of the following. State of immunosuppression; coagulopathy; pre-existing liver or kidney disease; documented HIV positive; documented hepatitis B and/or C positive. - Medications and other drugs. Use of anti-platelet drugs within 7 days prior to blood draw or biopsy; use of anticoagulants within 60 days prior to blood draw or biopsy; active drug or alcohol use or dependence that, in the opinion of the biopsy surgeon, would interfere with post-procedure wound care. - Other. Women that are pregnant, or intend to become pregnant, prior to the biopsy; urine pregnancy test that is positive; inability or unwillingness of the subject to give written informed consent. - Other. Inability or unwillingness of the subject to give written informed consent or assent.

Study Design

Phase
Study Type
Observational
Observational Model
Cohort
Time Perspective
Prospective

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Single biofluid collection We will ask eligible volunteers to provide a single urine sample and undergo a single blood draw.
Serial biofluid and muscle function testing We will ask eligible volunteers to provide a urine sample, a blood sample, and undergo standard muscle function tests once every six months over a two-year period, and undergo pulmonary function tests and electrocardiogram once per year for two years.
Biofluid and muscle tissue biopsy We will ask eligible volunteers to provide a urine sample and undergo a muscle biopsy once.

Recruiting Locations

Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts 02129
Contact:
Tamkin Shahraki, MD
617-726-7506
tshahraki@mgh.harvard.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital

Study Contact

Tamkin Shahraki, MD
617-726-7506
tshahraki@mgh.harvard.edu