Tena G. Goodwin
Papers
2
Total Citations
192
H-Index
2
About
Tena G. Goodwin is a pioneering researcher in cell-based therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a severe genetic muscle-wasting disorder. Her work centers on myoblast transfer therapy (MTT)—the transplantation of healthy muscle-precursor cells into affected patients to restore dystrophin production and muscle function. Goodwin led landmark Phase II clinical trials in the early 1990s, including a study of 21 DMD boys aged 6–14 years, where five billion normal myoblasts were injected into each lower limb to assess feasibility, safety, and efficacy. A subsequent trial with 32 boys, half nonambulatory, further demonstrated the potential of MTT as an experimental lower-body treatment. Her most-cited paper (106 citations) and a key follow-up (86 citations) established foundational evidence for cell transplantation in DMD, showing that repeated, high-dose myoblast injections could be safely administered and could partially restore muscle strength. Goodwin’s work remains a critical reference for regenerative medicine approaches to muscular dystrophy, inspiring ongoing research into stem cell and gene-editing therapies. Her contributions highlight the early promise and challenges of translating cellular therapies from bench to bedside for rare neuromuscular diseases.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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