I would like to hear more about this. There has to be some new studies to look into DC. It is just that it is not a priority at this time, and not important to the powers that be. Man, if they can Clone some dog, they should be able to isolate this DC gene.
It is so weird, that people that have it, don't even know it. I saw a friend the other day for lunch, and she has had foot problems...I looked at her hands, and low and behold, there it was Cords in both hands. She did not have a clue. She is an avid golfer. It is just that I have had the trama on the hands, and now I have the stiffness. I do think though, that she will get that at some point.
I would like to hear more about the RNAi, but, I don't believe it is a cure. Mind is open.
Patty

That *sounds* great, but knowing how hard it is to get the FDA to approve of *anything*, what your talking about is got to be ten years away, if not more. There's a lot of hoops to jump through implied in your discussion. However, it's nice to know there is long term hope. I'm planing on treading water with NA until something like this becomes a reality.

Thanks David, but...

".................researchers are optimistic that many RNAi therapies will enter *clinical* trials in the next *five* years and *possibly* get FDA approval in the next *decade*."

Yes, exciting, but we'll need the Band-Aid for some time to come. Is there anything to indicate otherwise?

Hi All,

Wolfgang and Randy make some good points so I thought (I would search for papers published on cell level research to see what's going on.

Using Google I did a quick search for:
"+Dupuytren's gene nucleus abstract"

Many articles show up, but one caught my attention that I thought I'd share. I think this shows that there is RNA and cellular level research on Dupuytren's happening. SInce I suffer from 4 out of ??(maybe more) types of this disorder (Dup's, knuckles, feet, peyronies), this one caught my attention first....

I will look for more gene-based research, but I don't have access to the full text (everyone wants $20 to read them).

Bob
Here it is ----------------
Identification of a Novel Mitochondrial Mutation in Dupuytren's Disease Using Multiplex DHPLC.
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. 115(1):134-141, January 2005.
Bayat, Ardeshir Ph.D., M.R.C.S.(Eng.), A.F.R.C.S.(Ed.); Walter, Joanne B.Sc.(Hons.); Lambe, Helen B.Sc.(Hons.); Watson, James S. M.R.C.P., F.R.C.S.(Eng.); Stanley, John K. M.Ch.(Orth.), F.R.C.S.(Eng.Ed.); Marino, Michael Ph.D.; Ferguson, Mark W. J. Ph.D., F.F.D., F.Med.Sci., C.B.E.; Ollier, William E. R. Ph.D., F.I.B.M.S., F.R.C.Path.
Abstract:
Dupuytren's disease is a familial fibroproliferative disorder of late onset affecting the hands. It is extremely common in individuals of Northern European extraction. Genetic studies have yet to identify the genes involved in the formation of the disease. Mitochondria play a critical role in cell metabolism and apoptosis. It is known that defective mitochondria generate abnormally high levels of reactive oxygen species by means of electron leak and that antioxidant enzyme activities decrease with age in skin fibroblasts. Respiratory function of mitochondria is also impaired in aging human tissues. Oxidative stress and production of free radicals may be important factors in the pathogenesis of Dupuytren's disease. Mitochondrial genes are also included in the regulation of apoptosis. Diseased tissue contains large numbers of myo-fibroblasts, which disappear by apoptosis during normal wound healing. High numbers of mitochondria have been observed in fibroblasts derived from diseased tissue. In the light of this evidence, the MITOCHONDRIAL GENOME REPRESENTS A POTENTIAL LOCATION FOR CANDIDATE SUSCEPTIBILITY GENES for this late-onset disorder. In this study, the authors in vestigated the presence of mutations within the mitochondrial genome in 40 subjects; 20 Caucasian Dupuytren's disease patients with a maternally transmitted inheritance pattern and 20 control subjects were matched for age, sex, and race using a multiplex denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography approach. A HITHERTO UNKNOWN heteroplasmic mutation located within the mitochondrial 16s rRNA region WAS EVIDENT IN 90 PERCENT of patients and absent from all control subjects (p < 0.001; [chi]2 = 16.1). This mutation MAY be important in the pathogenesis of Dupuytren's disease.

(C)2005American Society of Plastic Surgeons

Wolfgang (and everyon else),
There are a few other interesting research projects going on as well. Take a peek using google using:

"Dupuytren's rna nucleus abstract" search terms.

Some tough reading, but you get the drift of what they are doing. We can only hope it's at least there for our kids when they need it. Could be for us one day with some luck.
Happy reading.

Bob