Mary Beth Deering
Papers
2
Total Citations
192
H-Index
2
About
Mary Beth Deering is a pioneering clinical researcher whose work has fundamentally advanced the experimental treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Her primary research focus lies in the development and assessment of myoblast transfer therapy (MTT) as a cell-based intervention for this devastating neuromuscular disorder. Deering’s major contributions are defined by her leadership in landmark Phase II clinical trials. In a pivotal 1992 study (106 citations), she demonstrated the feasibility and safety of injecting five billion normal myoblasts into the lower limbs of 21 DMD boys, providing critical early evidence for the therapeutic potential of cell transplantation. She further expanded this work in a 1993 trial (86 citations), which involved 32 boys—including nonambulatory patients—and assessed an experimental lower body treatment protocol. These studies were among the first to rigorously evaluate MTT in a controlled clinical setting, establishing foundational safety data and procedural benchmarks for future cell-based therapies. Deering’s courageous, translational approach helped bridge laboratory science and bedside application, laying essential groundwork for the field of muscular dystrophy research. Her work remains a touchstone for investigators exploring regenerative medicine for muscle disease.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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