Latest news

From April 22 to 25, the AFM-Telethon is organizing a major scientific congress at the Palais des Congrès in Paris. More than 1,100 experts in muscle and its diseases from all over the world will gather to review the latest advances in our knowledge of muscle (myogenesis, regeneration, fibrosis, aging, exercise, etc.) and our understanding of neuromuscular diseases, as well as the latest therapeutic innovations, particularly in gene therapy. 

The AFM-Téléthon sends you its best wishes for the New Year and hopes that 2024 will be full of scientific breakthroughs, small and large joys, and shared victories!

The Telethon 2023 ended on a high of €80,671,222, which shows the confidence and exceptional mobilization of donors and volunteers for this year's event, rich in victories against disease and promises for all those waiting for the diagnosis and treatment that will change their lives. We must not give up. 

Finding treatments for neuromuscular diseases by combining artificial intelligence, stem cells and pharmacological screening is the aim of the new DREAMS research consortium, coordinated by I-Stem. An unprecedented project!

The 2024 edition of the International Consortium on Myotonic Dystrophy (IDMC-14) will take place in Nijmegen from 9 to 13 April 2024. This is an opportunity to learn, share and network thanks to the presence of scientists, clinicians, patients and professionals from the pharmaceutical industry. 

A gene therapy developed at Genethon by Ana Buj Bello's team is proving effective in a rare and very severe muscle disease: myotubular myopathy. Review of the results published online in The Lancet Neurology on November 15. 

The 8th edition of international congress dedicated to neuromuscular science, MYOLOGY 2024, will take place in Paris from 22 to 25 April 2024. Registration and call for abstract are now open : don't miss an opportunity to showcase your latest study to an international community of scientists and healthcare professionals. The deadline for abstract submission has been extended until November 30, 2023 - 11:59 pm.

The first clinical results of the gene therapy for the treatment of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I/R9 show good preliminary efficacy and biological tolerability. These first results have been presented during oral communications during the 30th Annual Congress of the European Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ESGCT) and will be presented in the 2023 International Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Conference in Washington DC.

A review published by two researchers at I-Stem, one of the AFM-Téléthon laboratories, takes stock of human pluripotent stem cells (hiPS) and confirms their main advantages in neuromuscular diseases: improving understanding and identifying new treatments.

The 30th of September is Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Day. At this occasion, the LGMD Interest Group of the AFM-Téléthon is planning an information day about these diseases in Evry. 

The 10th World Duchenne Awareness Day, on September 7, is a call to action to break down the physical, social and healthcare barriers faced by the 250,000 people around the world affected by this disease. It's also an opportunity to take stock of advances in research into this disease, which is emblematic of our Association. 

In an article published in July 2023, an Italian researcher traces the birth and development of myology. This medical science of muscle and its diseases has developed over time, not only thanks to the advent of tools and technologies that improve our knowledge of muscle, but also thanks to the international collaborations that have marked its history.

Results published in The New England Journal of Medicine demonstrate the safety and tolerance for gene therapy in Crigler-Najjar syndrome as well as its efficacy at the highest dose. This rare liver disease is characterized by a toxic build-up of bilirubin in the body, which can cause significant neurological damage and become fatal. 

Cure through Innovation is a booklet that sums up the main actions and missions of the AFM-Téléthon association, as well as the key figures for 2022. The July 2023 edition has just been published!