Author Archives: Forest Ray PhD

High levels of a protein known as CTRP9 appear to indicate worsening lung function in patients with systemic scleroderma (SSc), according to a recent study. The discovery suggests that CTRP9 may be a useful biomarker for the loss of lung function in SSc. Such biomarkers are sorely needed, researchers…

Changes from the norm in the electrical conduction of the heart — called cardiac axis deviations — are “common” and indicative of poorer outcomes in people with systemic sclerosis-related pulmonary hypertension (SSc-PH), a study reported. Because cardiac axis deviations are easily measured by electrocardiography (ECG), monitoring for such deviations…

Scleroderma involving the lungs is associated with a greater degree of skin scarring, or fibrosis, according to a new research model that seeks to predict a person’s risk of organ-specific complications involved in that disorder. The study, “Correlation Between Skin and Affected Organs in 52 Sclerodermic Patients…

The amount of free light chain (FLC) molecules in blood and urine correspond to the severity of scleroderma, adding to the evidence supporting these molecules as biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease activity. The pilot study detailing this finding, “Serum and urine free light chains…

Mary J. Wheatley will succeed Robert J. Riggs as CEO of the Scleroderma Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting scleroderma patients, promoting public education concerning the disorder, and helping to fund research into effective treatments and a possible cure. The change will be effective July 1. “This is…

People with weakened immune systems, such as those with scleroderma, should continue taking all COVID-19 precautions, even if fully vaccinated, according to guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “The Scleroderma Foundation’s MSAB [Medical & Scientific Advisory Board] Leadership Committee agrees with the CDC…

Ofev (nintedanib) safely and effectively slowed lung function decline in people with interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc-ILD), according to an interim analysis of the ongoing and long-term SENSCIS-ON study. “The SENSCIS-ON trial provides important new evidence about the longer-term use of nintedanib [Ofev] in people living…

The Scleroderma Foundation invites people to participate in Stepping Out to Cure Scleroderma, a combination of outdoor and virtual fundraising events to support patients and their families, and research into potentially curative treatments during scleroderma‘s awareness month. Local Scleroderma Foundation chapters organized group Stepping Out runs and…

A computer algorithm called DETECT correctly identified all cases of a potentially life-threatening type of high blood pressure in a group of people with scleroderma in a recent study. The algorithm outperformed standard methods, showing potential as an effective means of screening SSc patients for developing pulmonary arterial hypertension…

Treating facial atrophy in localized scleroderma by grafting stem cells from a patient’s own fat tissue appears to be a safe and effective alternative to existing methods, according to a small clinical study. The findings were published in an article, “A pilot study on ex vivo…