Research offers new hope for XLH patients

Debbie Moore knows firsthand the debilitating effects of XLH. Diagnosed with the disease at 18 months, she spent much of her childhood wearing leg braces. She also underwent surgeries to remove pieces of bone from her femurs and tibias in an effort to straighten her legs.

Debbie also knew there was a 50/50 chance of her children inheriting XLH. Her son, Colton, fell into the 50 percent who develop it.

Decades of research led by IU School of Medicine's Mike Econs, MD, and Ken White, PhD, has led to the development of a new drug - burosumab - which helps to improve bone structure and strength in XLH patients. The development of this drug, which was approved by the FDA in April 2018, provides new opportunities for younger generations.