USE OF SERINE-PROTEINASE KNOWN AS ANCROD IN THE TREATMENT OF DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY

摘要

The invention relates to the use of serine-proteinase known as ancrod in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one of the most frequent fatal chromosome X-linked diseases and affects 1 in 3500 boys. Until now there has been no treatment which significantly extends life or cures the disease. The invention relates to the use of serine-proteinase of Agkistrodon (ancrod) for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in mammals, particularly humans. The administration of ancrod gives rise to a decrease in muscle degeneration and a functional improvement to the DMD mdx mouse model.