Increasing the Life Expectancy of People

An experienced businessman and entrepreneur, Edgar Alacan is the co-founder of Jets.Com. Edgar Alacan is also on the board of directors at PietrosFight.org, which organizes events to raise awareness on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a common form of muscular dystrophy that weakens the muscles. It is a life-threatening genetic condition that causes the death of most people that have it. The symptoms of the condition begin ever since a child is born, and typically the life expectancy of a person with DMD is up to 30 years.

The condition results in muscular deterioration and can be diagnosed through creatine phosphokinase tests. A study conducted for this disease reveals that a person's life expectancy can be increased if the patients with a few specific symptoms are treated better.

The study revealed that people who die early with this condition are underweight, and their lungs and heart do not function properly. Treating these problems more aggressively is crucial in raising the life expectancy of people with DMD. According to researchers, there are also gene editing strategies and practices that are believed to help cure this disease in the future.

What Is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?

An accomplished businessman, Edgar Alacan serves as a member of the board of directors of PietrosFight.org. The nonprofit organization aims to raise funds to support research efforts to find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). Since 2013, Edgar Alacan has assisted PietrosFight.org, which is dedicated to increasing awareness about DMD.

DMD is a fatal genetic condition that most frequently affects male children. Approximately 300,000 boys around the world - and 20,000 in the Unites States - are affected by the disease, which causes the muscles to deteriorate. Children with DMD require a wheelchair by the age of 12.

In addition, males do not survive beyond their mid-20s. During the early stages, movement becomes difficult, and eventually the heart and respiratory muscles begin to fail. The condition has no cure. Recently, gene-based therapies have shown promise in the fight against DMD. Approaches include RNA-based technology, gene replacement, and drug-based solutions. 

What is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?

The co-founder of JETS.com, Edgar Alacan handles strategic management and implements cost-effective operational plans to drive long-term growth. Outside of work, Edgar Alacan serves as a board member for Pietro’s Fight, a non-profit organization committed to raising awareness for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. 

A fatal genetic disorder that affects 300,000 boys worldwide, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy involves a progressive loss of muscle function and strength. The disease is caused by a loss of dystrophin, a protein without which the body’s skeletal muscles deteriorate. Symptom onset usually begins between ages three and five, and by the teenage years, the disease usually affects the heart and respiratory muscles. 

While there is no cure for Duchenne, new treatment protocols are extending the average life expectancy into adulthood. In addition to pharmacological strategies, gene therapies, such as antisense-mediated exon skipping, have been somewhat effective in treating dystrophic muscle. 

For more information about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy or to support Pietro’s Fight, visit www.pietrosfight.org.