Myology 2016, the international congress of myology organized by AFM-Téléthon has ended last week. The researchers who have taken part to the event share their feelings on what was said during the week.
“Myology 2016 emphasised on the advances in the field of biotherapies. Impressive preliminary results of trials for gene and cell therapies were presented” explains Xavier Nissan (I-stem).
Indeed, the “SMA and therapeutics” session was largely acclaimed by the research community. Thourghout the latter, Jerry Mendell (Colombus, USA) and Richard Finkel (Philadelphia, USA) showed very encouraging results of advanced therapies for type 1 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA1).
“It’s a great leap for gene therapy in neuromuscular diseases!” applauds Caroline Le Guiner (Atlantic Gene Therapies).
“The lectures by Finkel and mendell brought true therapeutic hopes for this neuromuscular disease. It took over 20 years since the identification of the mutation in 1995 to reach such therapeutic developments” explains Cécile Martinat (I-stem).
Among others highlights of Myology 2016, there was the lecture by Ana Buj-Bello (Genethon) on her works on gene therapy for myotubular myopathy.
“I was particularly interested by the lectures on myotubularins by Ana Buj-Bello and her team […] it’s very encouraging for neuromuscular diseases” explains Christian Pinset (I-stem).
Generally, apart from the important advances demonstrated during the congress, Myology 2016 was also an opportunity for researchers to develop new networks.
“It was an occasion for us to gather and develop our collaborations” concludes Cécile Martinat.
