Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases

Featured Series: New Therapeutic Approaches for Rare Diseases

The advent of genetic therapies is set to make rare diseases a major area of innovation, with single gene defects being the ideal targets for the development of advanced medicinal therapy products, such as gene therapy and other innovative genetic therapies (e.g. mRNA therapy and antisense oligonucleotide therapy). We set out to explore how these technologies are being applied and how this might change our practice in the future. To achieve this overarching goal we invite those with a particular individual, scientific and clinical interest in this highly dynamic field to submit original articles and reviews. Read more about the scope here.

Featured series: Innovative Methodologies for Rare Diseases Clinical Trials

Within the EJP RD (European Joint Programme on Rare Diseases), Work Package (WP) 20, "Accelerating the validation, use and development of innovative methodologies tailored for clinical trials in RDs", recognizes and addresses methodological challenges in clinical trials for rare diseases. These challenges include gaps in knowledge of best practices and innovative methodologies. Several actions have been implemented to overcome these gaps. Find out more about the scope of the series here.

Featured series: Diagnosis of rare diseases – strategies and structures

We are pleased to announce a new thematic series, edited by Francesc Palau (Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona and CIBERER, Spain) and Holm Graeßner (University Hospital Tübingen, Germany). This new series will explore the strategies and solutions which have been developed, tested, validated and/or deployed, in order to improve diagnosis of rare disease patients. You can find more information about the scope of the series here.

Featured series: Medical technologies for rare diseases

We are pleased to announce a new thematic series, guest edited by Anneliene Jonker (University of Twente, The Netherlands) and Marc Dooms (University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium).

Orphan devices constitute a very diverse group of products, reflecting the broad field of rare disease. Many orphan devices provide essential functions for patients with rare diseases, their carers, and the healthcare professionals using them. Nevertheless, there are very few medical devices that are specifically developed for rare diseases, while many patients and carers express a substantial unmet need for new medical devices for their conditions. This new series will explore the questions which need to be answered, in order to raise the profile of this field, helping current and future rare disease patients worldwide. Find out more about the scope here.

Featured series: Undiagnosed rare diseases

Our new thematic series, guest edited by David Adams, delves into the challenges and opportunities which exist for patients living with undiagnosed rare diseases. We are looking to publish material which speaks to the importance of a diagnosis, of utilizing individual approaches in treating patients, of functional studies, and the best ways to share information. For more information about the series (including submission info), please click here.

PNDS Recommendations

We are proud to present the first of a series of recommendations from the PNDS on rare Autoimmune and Autoinflammatory Disease. This first set is about the management of systemic necrotizing vasculitides (polyarteritis nodosa and ANCA-associated vasculitides). Read more here!