Molecular Mechanisms and Treatment Strategies for Dupuytren's Disease

Authors

David B. O'Gorman, The University of Western Ontario
Linda Vi, The University of Western Ontario
Bing Siang Gan, The University of Western Ontario

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-7-2010

Journal

Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management

Volume

6

First Page

383

Last Page

390

URL with Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/TCRM.S9165

Abstract

Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a common disease of the hand and is characterized by thickening of the palmar fascia and formation of tight collagenous disease cords. At present, the disease is incurable and the molecular pathophysiology of DD is unknown. Surgery remains the most commonly used treatment for DD, but this requires extensive postoperative therapy and is associated with high rates of recurrence. Over the past decades, more indepth exploration of the molecular basis of DD has raised the hopes of developing new treatment modalities. This paper reviews the clinical presentation and molecular pathophysiology of this disease, as well as current and emerging treatment. It also explores the implications of new findings in the laboratory for future treatment.