MyFSHD is about education and personal empowerment for the worldwide facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) community. Here we have discussions and commentary hosted by FSHD researcher Peter Jones, PhD, on many things of interest to the FSHD community. Learn about the science behind the different FSHD therapeutic approaches, FSHD pathology, family genetics and FSHD diagnostics. We will discuss upcoming clinical trials and what to look forward to. You will get to understand how you can be better prepared, become involved, and help contribute to defeating FSHD once and for all.
"What is magic? Magic is deception, but deception designed to delight, to entertain, to inspire. It is about belief. Faith." Today we discuss the recent exciting data presented by Epicrispr and their EPI-321 gene therapy at the IRC , and more importantly, we discuss what they (shockingly) did not say, present, or disclose. Hmmmm..... While it is inconceivable (to us) that a company would not test if their specific treatment was actually working, it is equally unconscionable that a company (with the help of their foundation partners) would knowingly mislead the community, so we know that is not happening, but we do have some questions and look forward to clarification and real validation in the future.
"It's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me." We celebrate World FSHD Day with those that are making a difference in the world (and our fathers -- Happy Father's Day!) and then discuss what we would like to hear from the FSHD clinical trial companies at the upcoming FSHD International Research Congress.
"I think the question we should be asking is, do you believe in this thing or not?" We discuss the value of MRI-informed muscle biopsies compared with uninformed biopsies, how we go about interpreting FSHD clinical trial gene expression data, and after the song, we show the Jones Lab CRISPRi presentation from the ASGCT annual meeting in Boston.
"I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way." Today we finish up some questions on clinical trials, therapeutics, what may be in the future, and other random FSHD topics. Good times :)
"Blue Horseshoe loves Anacott Steel." Today we cover recent clinical trial news in the FSHD space and delve a bit deeper into some topics from part 1 of our Reddit Q&A. **Updated version** The lowlight was Roche canceling their trial. The highlight was Sarepta's announcement of preliminary clinical data. Getting siRNAs, ASOs, and viruses into liver is easy because liver is filled with leaky capillaries, however, muscle is poorly vascularized and blood vessels have tight junctions so targeting cell receptors for enhanced transcytosis greatly enhances skeletal muscle delivery. Sarepta's targeting of the alpha v beta 6 integrin is a great advance in delivery of siRNA against DUX4 and, as predicted, shows the best DUX4 knockdown we have seen so far.
"I am the eyes and ears of this institution, my friends." You asked, we (try to) answer your questions. Part 1 of 2. There is no song in this version due to copyright issues causing it to be removed for some of our international listeners, otherwise, same as the original version.
"So, Mr Tipton, how could it take you five minutes to cook your grits when it takes the entire grit-eating world twenty minutes?" We discuss the initial Epicrispr Biotech press release pertaining to their EPI-321 phase 1/2 clinical trial and the big picture science behind the RESTEM phase 1/2 clinical trial in progress and the Scholar Rock upcoming phase 2 clinical trial.
"That's super frustrating. It just makes me wanna pick up whoever is standing closest to me and throw them through this window and out into the infinite abyss of nothingness!" Brad, our angry Dad, is back with some questions about clinical trials and muscle building.
"There's another old saying, Senator: Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining." We know a lot of you don't have the time or interest in all the details so we packaged up the highlights of the gene therapy series, with some new information and evaluation, too, into one shorter (but not short enough, we know) episode.
"But did you bleed him? - Aesculapius says that bleeding is not a cure. It is only a way of proving that you are a physician at the expense of your patient." Finally, we discuss the EPI-321 epigenetic editing phase I/II clinical trial design and its potential for answering key questions necessary for going to phase III and for providing benefit to participants and patients.
"Good morning, and in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night!" We take our time to evaluate publicly available preclinical data for EPI-321 used to support the Epicrispr Biotechnology first-in-human gene therapy clinical trial for FSHD. We discuss the data in the context of what is known from other neuromuscular disease gene therapy trials and integrate their own data in respect to what metrics are likely needed to be met for have any chance at providing benefit to patients.
"In the history of science, innovative concepts occasionally arise from sudden left-field inspiration." Here we make sure everyone is up to speed on the types of CRISPR inhibition for FSHD and FSHD epigenetics s that we are all ready to evaluate the preclinical data supporting the Epicrispr Biotechnology EPI321 clinical trial.
"...and by the time they figure out what went wrong, we'll be sitting on a beach, earning twenty percent." This is part 2 of our podcast series covering the important factors in successful gene therapy and introduces the knowledge gained from other neuromuscular diseases and how it can be applied to positively impact gene therapy in FSHD. In part 2, we focus on viral dosing and how it affects therapeutic biodistribution and expression. In addition, we reveal what is known about variable durability of transgene expression and what to look for to predict a durable, or non-durable, therapeutic. Check out the MyFSHD Youtube for the music, as well.
"My friends are toys. I make them. It's a hobby. I'm a genetic designer." This is a two part podcast covering the important factors is successful gene therapy and introduces the knowledge gained from other neuromuscular diseases and how it can be used to positively impact gene therapy in FSHD. In part 1, we focus on AAV serotypes, transgene constructs, immune responses, and delivery. We look into DMD gene therapy and how that can impact the current FSHD gene therapy programs. Check us out on the MyFSHD Youtube channel as well.
"And that would tell you what is obvious right now? That avoiding apple skins and pizza has no effect on this brutal disease?" Today we discuss the Cure FSHD for All (go to: www.curefshdforall.com) initiative for inclusion of FSHDers under 18 and those with limited mobility into clinical trials and for access to developing therapies.
"You're gonna need a bigger boat." MyFSHD is our summer blockbuster passion project. We discuss how to get it done, whatever your "it" is, in the FSHD space, as well as our trip to Shanghai and Hanoi to continue our efforts to help FSHDers around the world.
"I'll have what she's having." We'll take you through and discuss the recent release of Avidity Biosciences topline results from the phase 1/2 FORTITUDE trial and the preliminary data from the biomarker cohort extension.
"I gotta know what a 5 dollar shake tastes like." We continue our conversation with Tamara Gottlieb, who shares her years of experience helping to keep her family above the FSHD curve and improve quality of life. It's a lot of work, but it can help. Part 2 of 2. Tamara is one of the leaders (along with Emily Ca and Wayne Nesbit) of the "FSHD - supplements, nutrition, and peer support" Facebook gropou, so check it out for more information.
"You are what you eat, and I'm freaking delicious!" Our guest today, Tamara Gottlieb, is the driving force for our First Family of FSHD Fitness, Nutrition, and Lifestyle, and she shares with us what she has learned over her years of experience helping keep her family above the FSHD curve and improve quality of life. It's a lot of work, but it can help. Part 1 of 2. Tamara (along with Emily Ca and Wayne Nesbit) is one of the leaders of the "FSHD - supplements, nutrition, and peer support" Facebook group, so check it out for more information.
