Biomarkers and Validation of Selected Outcome Measures (CMTBiomarker)

Novel treatments are being developed for CMT. Intervention efficacy evaluation is hampered by slow disease progression and lack of sensitive outcome measures. The investigators have previously shown that biomarkers from skin identified in a CMT1A rat model can be translated to CMT1A patients. Primary goal is to identify circulating biomarkers correlating with disease severity and progression. 210 young, adolescent and adult patients affected by genetically confirmed CMT1A, will be evaluated with different clinical outcome measures, assessing impairment, disability and quality of life: Patients will be re-evaluated at 12 (n=147) and 24 months (n=103) with the same measures to assess disease progression. A number of candidate markers correlating with disease severity have been identified in blood samples from the rat model of CMT1A. At 0-12-24 months a blood sample will be drawn from affected CMT1A patients. The investigators will purify total mRNA from blood samples, and validate the 10 strongest regulated markers identified in the rat model via qRTPCR in blood of CMT1A patients. Protein biomarkers will also be analysed. Marker expression at baseline and at follow up will be correlated with clinical severity and progression. In this translational project (rat/human) the investogators expect to develop more responsive outcome measures and circulating biomarkers to improve assessment of intervention efficacy in forthcoming therapeutic trials.