Ana Pena, PhD,  —

Stem cell transplant confers superior and long-lasting clinical benefits compared to conventional treatment with Cytoxan cyclophosphamide in people with severe systemic scleroderma, including better functional ability and disease control, and prolonged survival, long-term extension data from a Phase 2/3 clinical trial show. The study, “…

The cytokines IL-1 and IL-17 seem to act together to induce fibrosis and inflammation in skin and organs in people with scleroderma (also called systemic sclerosis, or SSc), according to research done with mice and human cells. The study, “…

Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are more likely to experience stiffness in the right atrium, or upper chamber, of the heart, which is significantly linked to worse functional capacity, a study suggests. Results revealed that other right atrium features related…

High protein levels in the urine, poor kidney function, and high blood pressure at the time of systemic sclerosis (SSc) diagnosis are strong predictors for the future development of scleroderma renal crisis (SRC), a study suggests. These and other laboratory findings…

High levels of a blood protein called CC16 predict a higher likelihood of lung disease worsening in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), according to researchers. Their study, “High Baseline Serum Clara Cell 16 kDa Predicts Subsequent Lung Disease…

Treatment with iloprost using a portable pump is efficient, safe, and more convenient for the treatment of Raynaud’s phenomenon and digital ulcers in patients with scleroderma, a case report from Portugal shows. The pump helps patients…

Using immunosuppressive therapy to treat interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with scleroderma (SSc) should be done carefully and with close monitoring, a study reports. The research, published in the journal Arthritis Research & Therapy, is titled “Systemic sclerosis associated interstitial lung disease – individualized immunosuppressive therapy and course of lung…