Research
Scientists are fascinated by Dupuytren’s, and many of them are trying to unravel the mystery of why patients develop these problems. Here is a list of some of the research projects going on at the moment, it is unlikely to mention all research because we may not have permission to mention ongoing projects or we may not know about them. The order in which they are presented is arbitrary and does not in any way indicate our support or success in the field.
For trials and studies that patients may join in, please go to the Trials page.
To see our webinar on research being done in the UK, click this link
United Kingdom
Dorset
In Dorset County Hospital a study is planned to evaluate the effects of pre-operative therapy intervention. The intervention would be splinting for 4 weeks before surgery (to create maximum extension of the finger and allow best possible access for surgery), and an explanation of what to expect after surgery, where pain, return to work, woundcare and exercises are concerned. The final aim is to see if the results of surgery will be better if the patient is better prepared.
To prepare for the study, a survey went out to our members. The results can be found here: patient survey summary for BDS
Oxford
In Oxford University Professor D Furniss does research into the molecular genetics of Dupuytren’s. His team works closely with other groups such as the team of Prof Werker in Groningen. They do whole genome studies to determine the inheritance of Dupuytren. To date 26 genes have been found that play a role, and 80% of the disease is said to be due to genetics.
He explains more about the research in our webinar.
In 2023, Professor Furniss spoke on a Pulvertaft webinar about his research, with the Dupuytren research being mentioned from the 29th minute. The video can be seen here.
(updated January 2025)
Belgium
Dupuytren-Fonds, Leuven University Hospitals, Belgium. Text submitted by Prof Dr Ilse Degreef.
On November 17th 2016, we celebrated the inauguration of the Dupuytren funding organisation, an initiative of Prof Dr Ilse Degreef and Prof Dr Luc Smet at Leuven University.
With this foundation, both clinical researchers and patient organisations will work together to improve treatment outcome and patient satisfaction in Dupuytren disease. Clinical hand practice at the academic centre is focussed on Dupuytren treatment and the improvement of it. With a multi-disciplinary approach, we aim to inform the patient correctly and completely and offer all available treatment, so the patient can make his or her own decision if interventions are considered in the disease management.
Inspired by the PhD work of Ilse Degreef, presented in 2009, the work and research on Dupuytren disease continued ever since. The PhD was titled ‘Therapy resisting Dupuytren disease: new perspectives in adjuvant treatment’. Epidemiological research was done to estimate the prevalence and identify patients at risk of progression to severe disability. This disability in Dupuytren disease and the influence of the extend of the disease was studied. basic research was focused on myofibroblast activation and its relation to recurrent contractures. The influence of surgical techniques on outcome and recurrence was evaluated and we concluded that recurrence was independent of the technique: ‘the surgeon can cut out the cords but not the disease itself’. Finally, innovative treatment options were introduced in therapy-resisting disease: the use of cellulose implants to isolate the skin and augment the firebreak effect of segmental fasciectomy appeared to improve outcome. The first Level 1 trial on neo-adjuvant pharmacotherapy demonstrated a role for possible disease control in the future.
Today, this work is continued. At the university, 2 PhD student, a clinical fellow, 3 residents and many medicine, physiotherapy and orthopaedic technician students work together in our team in a multi-disciplinary clinical and lab research project. We focus on translational research: putting bench into practice.
At Leuven University, today we focus on:
- The genetic background of Dupuytren disease in collaboration with the Laboratory of Complex Genetics
- The development of a lab animal model and research on the cellular function of the myofibroblast, in collaboration with both The research centre for Skeletal Biology & Engineering, and Molecular Digestive Oncology
- The influence of stem cells in collaboration with the Peyronie Research Group
- Radiotherapy in therapy-resisting Dupuytren in collaboration with the Centre for Experimental Radiotherapy
- Clinical research on orthesiology, splinting and external fixation in collaboration with the Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, IORT and the VIGO group
- Clinical outcome translational research on surgery and collagenase treatment in the Hand Unit at Leuven University Hospitals, Orthopedic Department.
United States
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (USA) is investigating patient reported outcomes for the use of topical Verapamil 15% gel for treatment of Ledderhose Disease (Plantar Fibromatosis). If you or you know anyone who is using Verapamil gel for the treatment of Ledderhose Disease, please use or share the link to the survey: https://lnkd.in/eFydDy2e
Dupuytren Research Group
Dr Charles Eaton provided us with this summary of their goals and activities.
The Dupuytren Research Group is conducting research to develop a blood test for Dupuytren disease. A blood test is the missing piece of the puzzle needed to develop and test medical treatments for Dupuytren disease and related conditions. Right now, the ruler, protractor and camera are the only non surgical tools to measure a persons Dupuytren/Ledderhose disease. These only show what has already happened, not what is happening right now. A blood test could show what is happening right now, including the biologic response to medical treatment or to changes in diet, physical activity, or other lifestyle changes – before any changes in lumps or angles. A blood test could be used to test medical treatments for Dupuytren disease more quickly and accurately than has ever been possible.
The first goal of the Dupuytren Research Group’s International Dupuytren Data Bank (IDDB) is to develop a Dupuytren blood test. This research is organised in three stages. Stage one is a large online survey of people with Dupuytren/Ledderhose disease – severity, how it impacts their life, and how other medical factors relate to their disease. Stage two is collecting blood samples from stage one participants and analysing these samples for genetic, immune, inflammation, dietary and other factors. Stage three is comparing blood test finding with the severity of Dupuytren disease. Stage one launched in 2015 and is growing daily. Stage two and three will be repeated in competitive cycles. Each cycle will select groups based on disease severity, collect their blood samples, and identify the best blood tests to repeat in the next cycle. Following cycles will do the same with more people and fewer tests until the best tests are confirmed. This strategy is designed to reduce overall costs. This strategy of repeated testing is also the fastest way to confirm the accuracy and reliability of a test available to all researchers to develop a cure for Dupuytren disease and related conditions. IDDB online enrolment is http://Dupstudy.com. Testing has started in 2020.
In California, USA, research is being done to find a way of influencing the disease process in an early stage.
Ventoux Biosciences was founded by Kurt Harrington, a life-long pharmaceutical industry veteran and patient with Dupuytren’s, Ledderhose, and Garrod’s. Kurt and his dad both have the disease and given his industry experience and relationships coupled with his first-hand experiences, he started the company to help millions of patients around the world as well as future generations.
Ventoux Biosciences leadership team is comprised of Kurt Harrington and Ken Lipson, PhD who serves as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Vice President of Corporate Strategy. The company has a very experienced and accomplished advisory board with experts from bench to bedside including Latha Satish PhD ,an award winning Dupuytren’s researcher, and Keith Denkler MD, an internationally renowned hand surgeon who has treated over 10,000 Dupuytren’s fingers via Percutaneous Needle Fasciotomy (PNF), also known as Needle Aponeurotomy (NA).
Ventoux Biosciences is leveraging common and efficient methods to bring novel treatments to market as quickly and as safely as possible for patients. Given the limitations related to early-stage animal models, the company is initially focused on repurposing drug(s) that have been indicated for different uses yet also have desired anti-fibrotic actions. Ventoux’s lead candidate for Dupuytren’s, and related fibromatosis is VEN-201. VEN-201 was prioritized based on gene expression and pathway analysis for fibrosis as well as available in vitro and in vivo data along with key safety and formulation considerations. Ventoux Biosciences felt it was important to evaluate the antifibrotic activity in a prospective animal model to confirm the ability of VEN-201 to inhibit fibrosis. To do so, the company utilized a bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis model. As true for most animal models in which bleomycin is used as a tissue damaging agent to induce fibrosis, the model is not physiological, and it is very aggressive, since it involves daily administration of bleomycin (20 µg, SQ, QDx28). The high hurdle that this aggressive tissue damaging regimen represents can also provide some confidence that an agent that exhibits activity has a major impact on the biology of driving fibrosis. In this pre-clinical study, daily administration of VEN-201 demonstrated attenuation of fibrosis in the dermis and epidermis as well as reduced collagen density. Based on the desired anti-fibrotic actions and overall product profile, VEN-201 was selected as Ventoux Bioscience’s lead candidate for Dupuytren’s. To learn more about VEN-201, the proposed MOA in fibrosis, and the in vivo study you can visit the news and events page on VentouxBio.com or use this link to view a recent webinar. The company seeks to implement a Phase 1 human study in ~24 months, following completion of Seed round fundraising. Near term priorities and fundraising will support key planning meetings with regulatory authorities on development plans as well as development and testing of a long-acting formulation optimized for Dupuytren’s patients.
Please feel free to visit VentouxBio.com for more information as well as links to the “Hands of Change” podcast, which is supported by Ventoux Biosciences, and other Dupuytren’s related information.
(August 2024)
South Korea (Republic of Korea)
Biotech company Connext has developed a recombinant collagenase. Collagenase can be used for injection into the tightening cords which can then become weakened and be broken by the surgeon.
The novel collagenase reached trial stage in patients in 2024. The trials are taking place in Australia. (August 2024)
