Lindsey Shapiro, PhD, science writer —

Tobacco use by systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients is linked to worsening gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, but the immunosuppressive and anti-scarring medications used to treat the autoimmune disease aren’t, according to a recent analysis of data from a multicenter, U.S.-based patient registry. The findings are striking in light of previous…

People with systemic sclerosis (SSc) have lower-than-normal levels of the SPAG17 protein in their skin cells, which contributes to the excessive scarring that marks the disease, a study suggests. Mice lacking the protein developed signs of scarring, or fibrosis, consistent with that seen in people with SSc, also called scleroderma,…

Levels of a protein called soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (sST2) were linked to signs of cardiac involvement in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc), a study found. Interleukin-33 (IL-33), a molecule that binds to sST2, was associated with worse skin scarring in patients. The findings suggest sST2 could be a…

Raloxifene, a medication used to prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women, was able to reduce fibrosis, or scarring, in cell and mouse models of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The research team noted that the patient stem cell-based model they used offers a promising way to evaluate therapeutic candidates for rare…

The investigational oral therapy APT-101 was well tolerated and reduced fibrosis, or scarring, in a mouse model of systemic sclerosis (SSc), according to a recent presentation from the therapy’s developer, Apie Therapeutics. Apie is developing APT-101 to treat interstitial lung disease (ILD), a term that encompasses a group…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation to efzofitimod (ATYR1923) to treat interstitial lung disease (ILD) in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The therapy was developed by aTyr Pharma for treating severe diseases affecting the lungs. Efzofitimod was designated as an orphan drug…

Several clinical characteristics in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc) — specifically, being male, older age, diffuse SSc forms, and inflammation — were associated with a greater accumulation of organ damage over time in a recent study. The level of damage accumulation, called a damage trajectory, also correlated with mortality…

New data from patient samples and a mouse model provide support for the further development of Chemomab Therapeutics‘ lead candidate, CM-101 — an antibody targeting the CCL24 protein — for the treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc), according to two recent scientific presentations. Encouraged by the new data, the company…

Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC), a technique to detect small changes in circulation, may be a promising biomarker of likely severe organ involvement in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc) although more data is needed, according to a recent study. “The generation of consistent high-quality research in this area may lead to…

Low muscle mass is associated with gastrointestinal (GI) bloating in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), a recent study revealed. Disease duration, severity, and activity, as well as skin thickening, also were higher in patients with low muscle mass. “At the best of our knowledge, this is the first study…