News

New platform allows gene-edited stem cell therapies for DEB

Scientists have devised a new, more efficient method to create gene-edited stem cell therapies for dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB). “Solving critical bottlenecks, we refine a practical and simplified … protocol for the generation of genetically corrected … skin grafts … for the long-term healing of DEB patient wounds,” the…

Rituximab treatment may be safe, effective for EBA: Review study

About three-quarters of people with epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) treated with rituximab experienced disease remission, according to a review study. Almost all patients responded to treatment. Overall, nearly 40% of rituximab-treated patients experienced relapses — when symptoms return after a period of improvement — over almost two…

Proteins involved in activating genes may contribute to RDEB fibrosis

An altered modification of proteins involved in controlling gene activity, called histones, may contribute to how severe the buildup of excessive scar tissue is in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), a study suggests. Blocking abnormal histone modification with the approved medicine valproic acid reduced the signs of scarring, or…

Outcomes with stem cell therapies vary for epidermolysis bullosa

Both bone marrow transplant and treatment with stem cells derived from bone marrow may help ease symptoms in some people with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), although a bone marrow transplant carries substantial greater safety risks. That’s according to the review study “Bone marrow transplantation and bone marrow-derived…

Mix of treatments may aid survival in RDEB patients with skin cancer

Additional treatments following surgery for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a type of skin cancer, may prolong survival in people with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), according to a review study. “However, it is difficult to attribute extended survival to any single treatment, as multiple therapeutic modalities are often used…

Certain COL7A1 mutations linked to more severe RDEB in study

Researchers have developed a framework for categorizing the severity of mutations in the COL7A1 gene that cause recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) which could eventually be used to better inform clinical care. Patients categorized as having so-called “high-impact” mutations in a recent study were found to be at an…

Dupilumab may help ease itch for people with different EB types

Dupilumab, an injection therapy approved for certain inflammatory disorders, may be an effective option to help ease itch and reduce blistering in people with different subtypes of epidermolysis bullosa (EB). That’s according to a study, “Dupilumab improves itch and blistering in different subtypes of epidermolysis bullosa,”…