The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has awarded Cure JM and a consortium of Cure JM-funded researchers a coveted $2 million rare disease research grant to identify new biomarkers in JM and improve precise, personalized care through the identification of cell-to-cell interactions that drive inflammation in juvenile myositis.

Principal investigators for the grant include Jessica Turnier, M.D., at the University of Michigan, Jessica Neely, M.D., at the University of California, San Francisco; and Andrew Heaton, Ph.D., the Chief Scientific Officer at Cure JM. Other collaborators on the grant include Jeff Dvergsten, M.D. from Duke University, and Lauren Pachman, M.D. from Lurie Children’s Hospital. UCSF, Duke University, and Lurie Children’s Hospital serve as Cure JM Centers of Excellence.

This milestone achievement recognizes Cure JM’s 20-year commitment as a patient advocacy and juvenile myositis research leader, with the grant being obtained during an open international competition that included some of science’s most notable researchers. The project was one of five globally awarded projects in the “single cell isolation” category, which focuses on better understanding the cause of rare diseases at the cellular level.  

A clinical trial treating juvenile myositis patients with the drug abatacept resulted in lower disease activity and notable responses in the majority of patients. The trial was conducted at the Cure JM Center of Excellence at George Washington University, and preliminary results were presented at the Global Conference on Myositis.

Abatacept was generally well tolerated with minimal side effects, and the preliminary data suggest that abatacept may be beneficial in the treatment of hard-to-treat JM patients. Importantly, patients using abatacept improved at the same time prednisone dosage was reduced. 

“We have much more data to assess before we publish the results, yet the pilot study showed that patients with refractory JDM treated with abatacept resulted in lower disease activity and clinically significant responses in the majority of patients.” Dr. Curiel is the Director of the Cure JM Center of Excellence at George Washington University.  

It's Rare Disease Month! Join other Cure JM families to help us deliver a proclamation of thanks to the Rare Disease Congressional Congress for their critical research, drug discovery, and clinical trial breakthroughs in juvenile myositis. 

Let the Rare Disease Congress know that the work they do for rare diseases matters to you and your family, and you want their continued support for better treatments and a cure!

Please sign and share!

Ask your family members and friends to sign to let our voices be heard on Rare Disease Day.

Help us reach 1,000 signatures by Rare Disease Day, February 28, 2023. 

We are excited to announce that the Cure JM National Family Conference is back, and registration is open!

Join us for three days with world-class JM researchers, engaging sessions for all, and social time to connect with new friends. The 14th Annual Cure JM National Family Conference is happening June 29-July 2, 2023, at the Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center, just outside Washington, D.C.

We’re inviting all families affected by juvenile myositis. That means you’re invited! For the agenda and more details, click here.

The Cure JM Foundation has always treasured the special role that grandparents play in their families and Cure JM.

Grandparents of JM patients – we need you! Help the Cure JM Grandparent Council plan their work for 2023 by taking this brief survey.

Thank you for your unwavering support of our mission!