Myotonic DystrophyNCT05019625
Biomarker Development for Muscular Dystrophies
An observational study of Myotonic Dystrophy and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, run by Massachusetts General Hospital at 5 sites in United States.
Trial summary
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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 5 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Myotonic Dystrophy, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Becker Muscular Dystrophy
- How many people
- 465 participants
- Where
- 5 sitesUnited States
- Study dates
- 20 Feb 2015to Jun 2028
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 5 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult, Older adult
Study population: Males and females ages 5 years and older with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) confirmed by genetic testing or by clinical history and examination are invited to participate. In addition, male and female healthy volunteers ages 18 and older also are invited to participate.
Who may be able to join
- 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.
- Demographic characteristics for serial biofluid and muscle function testing: Males and females age 14 years and older with DM1.
- Demographic characteristics for biofluid and muscle biopsy: Males and females, ages 18-65 years.
- Demographic characteristics for single biofluid collection, ultrasound, and myography: Males and females age 14 years and older.
Who cannot join
- 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. Inability or unwillingness of the subject to give written informed consent.
Trial locations and contacts
5 sites in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
5 sites in 1 country
United States5 sites, 4 recruiting
- Active, not recruiting
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115
- Recruiting
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115
Louis Beers, lbeers@bwh.harvard.edu
Anthony Amato, MD
- Recruiting
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02129
Tamkin Shahraki, MD, 617-726-7506, tshahraki@mgh.harvard.edu
Thurman M. Wheeler, MD
- Recruiting
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213
Kerry M. Oddis, RN, CCRC, 412-692-4918, kmoddis@upmc.edu
Paula R. Clemens, MD
- Recruiting
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157
Constance Linville, 336-716-4568, clinvill@wakehealth.edu
Araya Puwanant, MD
About this study
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, and some muscles in the arms and legs using tests called ultrasound and electrical impedance myography; both tests are painless and non-invasive. The information that is gathered from this study may help to evaluate, prevent, diagnose, treat, and improve the understanding of human muscle diseases.
- Conditions
- Myotonic Dystrophy, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Becker Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy
- Medical subject headings
- Myotonic Dystrophy, Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne, Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | |
| Ultrasound and myography testing | We will ask eligible volunteers to provide a single urine sample, a single blood draw, and undergo ultrasound and electrical impedance myography studies once. |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Extracellular RNA in biofluids
The extracellular RNA biomarkers in the muscular dystrophy groups will be evaluated and compared with the extracellular RNA content in control groups. Statistical analysis will be used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of these markers as measurements of disease activity and severity based on clinical measurements of muscle power, electrocardiogram parameters, pulmonary function test parameters, muscle tissue composition using quantitative ultrasound and electrical impedance myography, and muscle tissue specimens.
Measured: 6 years
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Aug 2021
- Study start20 Feb 2015
- Primary completionJun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionJun 2028 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Myotonic DystrophyStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Massachusetts General HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Enrolment
- 465 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Boston Children's Hospital, Wake Forest University, University of Pittsburgh, Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Thurman Wheeler, M.D, Massachusetts General Hospital
- Investigators
- Thurman M. Wheeler, MD, Principal investigator, Massachusetts General Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05019625
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2014P001727
- Status last verified
- Nov 2025
- First submitted
- 16 Aug 2021
- Last updated
- 24 Nov 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Antoury L, Hu N, Balaj L, Das S, Georghiou S, Darras B, Clark T, Breakefield XO, Wheeler TM. Analysis of extracellular mRNA in human urine reveals splice variant biomarkers of muscular dystrophies. Nat Commun. 2018 Sep 25;9(1):3906. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-06206-0.
PubMed 30254196Antoury L, Hu N, Darras B, Wheeler TM. Urine mRNA to identify a novel pseudoexon causing dystrophinopathy. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2019 May 17;6(6):1106-1112. doi: 10.1002/acn3.777. eCollection 2019 Jun.
PubMed 31211175
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 24 Nov 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Biomarker Development for Muscular Dystrophies
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT05019625
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 2014P001727
- Conditions
- Myotonic Dystrophy, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Becker Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 465 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Massachusetts General HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Boston Children's Hospital, Wake Forest University, University of Pittsburgh, Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study start
- 20 Feb 2015 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Jun 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Jun 2028 (estimated)
- First posted
- 25 Aug 2021 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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, and some muscles in the arms and legs using tests called ultrasound and electrical impedance myography; both tests are painless and non-invasive. The information that is gathered from this study may help to evaluate, prevent, diagnose, treat, and improve the understanding of human muscle diseases.
Study design
- Observational model
- Cohort
- Time perspective
- Prospective
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| Ultrasound and myography testing | – | –We will ask eligible volunteers to provide a single urine sample, a single blood draw, and undergo ultrasound and electrical impedance myography studies once. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 5 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- Males and females ages 5 years and older with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2), Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) confirmed by genetic testing or by clinical history and examination are invited to participate. In addition, male and female healthy volunteers ages 18 and older also are invited to participate.
Key inclusion criteria (6 listed)
- 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.
- Demographic characteristics for serial biofluid and muscle function testing: Males and females age 14 years and older with DM1.
- Demographic characteristics for biofluid and muscle biopsy: Males and females, ages 18-65 years.
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- 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. Inability or unwillingness of the subject to give written informed consent.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Extracellular RNA in biofluids
Time frame: 6 years
The extracellular RNA biomarkers in the muscular dystrophy groups will be evaluated and compared with the extracellular RNA content in control groups. Statistical analysis will be used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of these markers as measurements of disease activity and severity based on clinical measurements of muscle power, electrocardiogram parameters, pulmonary function test parameters, muscle tissue composition using quantitative ultrasound and electrical impedance myography, and muscle tissue specimens.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 24 Nov 2025.
- Background: PubMed 30254196Antoury L, Hu N, Balaj L, Das S, Georghiou S, Darras B, Clark T, Breakefield XO, Wheeler TM. Analysis of extracellular mRNA in human urine reveals splice variant biomarkers of muscular dystrophies. Nat Commun. 2018 Sep 25;9(1):3906. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-06206-0.
- Background: PubMed 31211175Antoury L, Hu N, Darras B, Wheeler TM. Urine mRNA to identify a novel pseudoexon causing dystrophinopathy. Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2019 May 17;6(6):1106-1112. doi: 10.1002/acn3.777. eCollection 2019 Jun.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Thurman M. Wheeler, MD principal investigator
Massachusetts General Hospital
5 sites in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Myotonic Dystrophy and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, run by Massachusetts General Hospital at 5 sites in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 24 Nov 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 5 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Tamkin Shahraki, MD (617-726-7506, tshahraki@mgh.harvard.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Extracellular RNA in biofluids (time frame: 6 years). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05019625, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 24 Nov 2025.