Published on March 26, 2010 at 4:19 AM
Cedars-Sinai investigators funded by the Muscular Dystrophy Association are registering two dozen ambulatory men with Becker muscular dystrophy for a clinical trial of tadalafil (Cialis) as a treatment for the progressive muscle disease. The randomized, placebo-controlled efficacy study will examine the effects of acute tadalafil dosing on muscle blood flow during a bout of exercise.
About 18 million men have been treated with Cialis since its introduction in 2003 by Eli Lilly and Company.
"Tadalifil has been shown to increase blood flow in muscles, and it has the potential to help people with muscular dystrophy," explains Valerie Cwik, M.D., MDA Executive Vice President - Research and Medical Director.
"We are pleased that the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center team led by Dr. Ronald Victor is undertaking a short-term clinical trial of tadalafil in Becker muscular dystrophy," adds Cwik, "especially since recent findings published by the journal Nature showed that dystrophic mice treated with tadalafil were able to perform more exercise with less muscle injury."
In the first phase of the study, men ages 18-55 with and without Becker muscular dystrophy will undergo blood chemistry tests, DNA analysis, MRI scans of their forearm muscles before and after exercise, as well as ultrasound studies of blood flow before and after handgrip exercise. Results will be used to determine which participants best meet study criteria for the trial's medication phase.
In the trial's medication phase, 24 men with Becker muscular dystrophy will repeat the testing after treatment with tadalafil. To inquire about participating in the study, please call 310-248-8080. Participants could be compensated.
"This is an exciting next step in the research I have been doing for 25 years, because we don't need to create a new drug - the drug already exists," Victor says. "We now have the opportunity to find out if tadalafil can offer some hope of improving the lives of patients and allow them to do more exercise with less injury."
SOURCE Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute
8a4e2cb6-4773-404d-990d-44998f7a70a9|0|.0
Posted in: Men's Health News | Drug Trial News
Tags: Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, DNA, Exercise, Friedreich's Ataxia, Hospital, Muscle, Muscular Atrophy, Muscular Dystrophy, Neuromuscular Disease, Placebo, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Ultrasound