open access

Vol 53, No 3 (2019)
Invited Review Article
Submitted: 2019-02-17
Accepted: 2019-05-26
Published online: 2019-06-10
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Molecular biomarkers for neuromuscular disorders – challenges and future perspectives

Magdalena Mroczek1, Liliana Machoń2, Izabela Filipczyńska3
·
Pubmed: 31180130
·
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2019;53(3):173-180.
Affiliations
  1. The John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, Institute of Genetic Medicine, The International Centre for Life, Newcastle University, Central Parkway, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
  2. Department of Neurology, Czerniakowski Hospital in Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
  3. Academy of Physical Education, Department of Rehabilitation; Cathedral of Psychosocial Foundations of Health and Rehabilitation; Part of Bioethics and Social Problems of Medicine

open access

Vol 53, No 3 (2019)
Invited review articles
Submitted: 2019-02-17
Accepted: 2019-05-26
Published online: 2019-06-10

Abstract

There is an ever-growing need for molecular biomarkers in assessing clinical course and diagnosing neuromuscular disorders, as well as in monitoring drug therapy. With the development of high throughput techniques, there has been an acceleration in the discovery of potential biomarkers. It is quite easy to find potential candidates, but difficult to validate them and translate into a clinical setting. Neuromuscular diseases (NMD) are a major challenge in terms of finding potential molecular biomarkers, mainly because of their heterogeneous aetiology and variability in phenotype, their as yet incompletely understood pathophysiology, and their slow clinical progression. Furthermore, it is challenging to assemble a large cohort of patients, as many NMDs are rare diseases. In this literature review, we provide an update on the latest discoveries in DNA, RNA, miRNA, epigenetic, protein, metabolic and cellular biomarkers for NMD. The advantages and potential difficulties of clinical application and the role of identification of biomarker panels are discussed. We have especially sought to highlight translational biomarkers which can be easily transferred to the clinic, where they may eventually present possible future therapies related to molecular biomarker discoveries.

Abstract

There is an ever-growing need for molecular biomarkers in assessing clinical course and diagnosing neuromuscular disorders, as well as in monitoring drug therapy. With the development of high throughput techniques, there has been an acceleration in the discovery of potential biomarkers. It is quite easy to find potential candidates, but difficult to validate them and translate into a clinical setting. Neuromuscular diseases (NMD) are a major challenge in terms of finding potential molecular biomarkers, mainly because of their heterogeneous aetiology and variability in phenotype, their as yet incompletely understood pathophysiology, and their slow clinical progression. Furthermore, it is challenging to assemble a large cohort of patients, as many NMDs are rare diseases. In this literature review, we provide an update on the latest discoveries in DNA, RNA, miRNA, epigenetic, protein, metabolic and cellular biomarkers for NMD. The advantages and potential difficulties of clinical application and the role of identification of biomarker panels are discussed. We have especially sought to highlight translational biomarkers which can be easily transferred to the clinic, where they may eventually present possible future therapies related to molecular biomarker discoveries.

Get Citation

Keywords

translational biomarkers, neuromuscular diseases, NMD, biomarkers

About this article
Title

Molecular biomarkers for neuromuscular disorders – challenges and future perspectives

Journal

Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska

Issue

Vol 53, No 3 (2019)

Article type

Invited Review Article

Pages

173-180

Published online

2019-06-10

Page views

1630

Article views/downloads

483

DOI

10.5603/PJNNS.a2019.0023

Pubmed

31180130

Bibliographic record

Neurol Neurochir Pol 2019;53(3):173-180.

Keywords

translational biomarkers
neuromuscular diseases
NMD
biomarkers

Authors

Magdalena Mroczek
Liliana Machoń
Izabela Filipczyńska

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