Gene therapy prospects for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Abstract

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. The lack of adequate therapy for this disease provides impetus for the development of gene therapy strategies. A recombinant dystrophin cDNA and animal models of the disease are available for this therapy development. Characterization of these reagents and current progress toward gene therapy for DMD will be described.