Doctors say drug helped treat progeria in clinical trial - Fox 2 News Headlines

Doctors say drug helped treat progeria in clinical trial

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Eight-year-old Lindsay Ratcliffe of Flat Rock suffers from progeria (Credit: WJBK) Eight-year-old Lindsay Ratcliffe of Flat Rock suffers from progeria (Credit: WJBK)
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) -

There has been a breakthrough in the treatment of progeria, a disease that ages kids before their time, including one child here in metro Detroit.

Progeria is so rare there are only 40 known cases worldwide.  One of those patients is eight-year-old Lindsay Ratcliffe of Flat Rock.

Ratcliffe has been taking part in a clinical trial of a  drug originally used to treat cancer, and doctors say it's working.

Every child in the trial showed improvement in one or more areas, most importantly in their cardiovascular health.

The cause of death for kids with progeria is  accelerated heart disease, usually around age 13.

Fox 2's Deena Centofanti will talk live with Ratcliffe's family about the breakthrough Tuesday on Fox 2 News Morning.

The Progeria Research Foundation has more information on their website, www.ProgeriaResearch.org.

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