Givinostat enhances antisense oligonucleotide efficacy in the mdx52 model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy

, givinostat and ASO co-treatment resulted in a modest but significant increase in dystrophin levels compared to ASO alone (1.3-fold), along with reduced muscle fibrosis, improved fiber morphology, and better extracellular matrix organization. Notably, treated mice showed improved muscle function, as evidenced by a significant reduction in force loss after eccentric contractions, a clinically meaningful outcome. Although the precise molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain to be fully elucidated, these findings support the therapeutic potential of combining givinostat with ASOs to enhance dystrophin restoration and muscle preservation in DMD.