A Novel Bone Anabolic Treatment in Mouse Models of Pediatric Bone Fragility Disorders

Children that break their bones repeatedly often have genetic conditions that either affect bones directly or indirectly. The drugs that are currently used to decrease the number of fractures in children are only partially effective. Mesentech Inc. has developed a new drug that has shown a strong effect on bone formation in rats. In this project, we will test the effect of this drug in mouse models of a condition that affects bone directly (osteogenesis imperfecta) and a condition that affects bone indirectly (Duchenne Musclar Dystrophy). We will assess the effect of this drug, both alone and in combination with other drugs, in growing mice. We expect that the new drug will make the bones of growing mice stronger. This will open new treatment approaches for children with disorders leading to frequent bone fractures.

Faculty Supervisor:

Frank Rauch

Student:

Iris Boraschi-Diaz;Juliana Marulanda

Partner:

Mesentech Inc

Discipline:

Medicine

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

McGill University