On the cover: Giovanna Albers of Imperial, Mo., was treated for polymyositis several years ago. After she recovered and stopped taking medication, some residual weakness in her hips and upper arms remained, but she’s been able to walk without aids, swim and work as a restaurant hostess. Dear Friends What are Inflammatory Myopathies? What Causes Inflammatory Myopathies? What are the Forms of Inflammatory Myopathies? Can Inflammatory Myopathies be Cured? How are PM, DM and IBM Diagnosed? What Happens to Someone with Polymyositis? What Happens to Someone with Dermatomyositis? What Happens to Someone with Inclusion-Body Myositis? Microscopic Myositis PM and DM Treatments MDA's Search for Treatments and Cures MDA is Here to Help You

MDA’s Search for Treatments and Cures

MDA-supported researchers are studying the mechanism of inflammation in the muscles of people with inflammatory myopathies; how cells of the immune system mature inside muscle fibers in these diseases; and how a toxic buildup of proteins occurs in inclusion-body myositis. They’re also using a system called a high-throughput assay to screen approximately 110,000 candidate compounds for their ability to interfere with the production of specialized white blood cells that activate the immune system in dermatomyositis.

As of 2007, three medications that have been used successfully in other autoimmune disorders are being tested in polymyositis and/or dermatomyositis. Two of them, infliximab (Remicade) and etanercept (Enbrel), target a protein called tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which is associated with harmful inflammation in many diseases. The third is rituximab (Rituxan), which is directed against a protein called CD20 that appears on the surface of B-cells (part of the immune system) as they become active.

MDA-supported scientific research has helped provide the rationale for these trials, and some MDA clinic physicians are trial investigators.

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