Setanaxib preserves cardiac function in DMD

Researchers at the University of South Florida (USF) Health Morsani College of Medicine have identified a potential pathway to protect cardiac function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. Published in Molecular Therapy, the study tested the experimental drug Setanaxib in two preclinical DMD models. Setanaxib, a NOX1/NOX4 inhibitor, preserved cardiac function, limited heart enlargement, and reduced tissue scarring. The findings suggest NOX4 as a therapeutic target for DMD-associated cardiomyopathy. The study was led by Da-Zhi Wang, with contributions from John Mably and Gabriela Diniz. Setanaxib has previously been tested in clinical trials for lung fibrosis and kidney and liver disease, raising hopes for faster development in DMD.