SCIENCE

Surprise man is oldest-living person with rare disease, and he's fighting to find a cure

Arizona Republic
Jerry DeVries is the oldest man known living with Proteus syndrome, a rare and crippling overgrowth disease. He is volunteering in a clinical trial for the first drug to treat the syndrome.
Jerry DeVries is the oldest man known living with Proteus syndrome, a rare and crippling overgrowth disease. He is volunteering in a clinical trial for the first drug to treat the syndrome.
Amanda Morris/The Republic
Kim Green with her son Alex, who suffered from Proteus syndrome, a rare disease that causes crippling overgrowths throughout the body.
Kim Green with her son Alex, who suffered from Proteus syndrome, a rare disease that causes crippling overgrowths throughout the body.
Courtesy Of Kim Green
Kim Green's son Alex died at the age of 9 from complications relating to Proteus syndrome, a rare and crippling disease.
Kim Green's son Alex died at the age of 9 from complications relating to Proteus syndrome, a rare and crippling disease.
Courtesy Of Kim Green
Proteus syndrome causes crippling overgrowths that can prevent patients from being able to walk.
Proteus syndrome causes crippling overgrowths that can prevent patients from being able to walk.
Courtesy Of Kim Green
Proteus syndrome patients in ArQule's initial study of a drug to treat the disease experienced some reduction in the overgrowths on their hands.
Proteus syndrome patients in ArQule's initial study of a drug to treat the disease experienced some reduction in the overgrowths on their hands.
Courtesy Of ArQule
Proteus syndrome patients in ArQule's initial study of a drug to treat the disease experienced some reduction in the overgrowths on their hands.
Proteus syndrome patients in ArQule's initial study of a drug to treat the disease experienced some reduction in the overgrowths on their hands.
Courtesy Of ArQule
Jerry DeVries, the oldest man alive with Proteus syndrome, gets his blood drawn. Researcher are studying him in the hopes of developing a cure for the disease.
Jerry DeVries, the oldest man alive with Proteus syndrome, gets his blood drawn. Researcher are studying him in the hopes of developing a cure for the disease.
Courtesy Of The National Institutes Of Health
Many patients with Proteus syndrome experience overgrowth lesions on their feet that make it difficult to wear shoes.
Many patients with Proteus syndrome experience overgrowth lesions on their feet that make it difficult to wear shoes.
Courtesy Of Proteus Syndrome Foundation
Many patients with Proteus syndrome experience overgrowth lesions on their feet that make it difficult to wear shoes.
Many patients with Proteus syndrome experience overgrowth lesions on their feet that make it difficult to wear shoes.
Courtesy Of Proteus Syndrome Foundation
Proteus syndrome patients in ArQule's initial study of a drug to treat the disease experienced a softening of overgrowth lesions on their feet, and in some cases, a reduction in the overgrowths.
Proteus syndrome patients in ArQule's initial study of a drug to treat the disease experienced a softening of overgrowth lesions on their feet, and in some cases, a reduction in the overgrowths.
Courtesy Of ArQule