Author Archives: Marisa Wexler MS

Treatment with stem cells grown into a skin-like structure called an organoid reduced inflammation and fibrosis (scarring) in a mouse model of localized scleroderma, a new study found. The study, “Application of an iPSC-Derived Organoid Model for Localized Scleroderma Therapy,” was published in Advanced Science.

Two medications — one for arthritis and the other for diabetes — were able to lessen scarring and inflammation in a mouse model of systemic scleroderma (SSc), according to a new study. These results support further research into the medications, tofacitinib and metformin, and others that target the JAK/STAT…

Levels of signaling molecules called cytokines can be used to identify people with systemic scleroderma (SSc) who are at highest risk of developing abnormally high blood pressure in their lungs, a new study reports. The study, “Cytokine signatures differentiate systemic sclerosis patients at high versus low…

Acazicolcept (ALPN-101), an experimental therapy that blocks T-cell activation and is being developed by Alpine Immune Sciences, was found effective at decreasing scarring in mouse models of systemic sclerosis (SSc). A team of scientists at Alpine and other institutions published their findings in a study, “…

Among people with systemic scleroderma, education and income are major determinants of perceived functional ability, a new study indicates. Findings also point to skin involvement and age as substantial determinants of functionality. “These results may serve to give clinicians novel insight into the predictive factors of patient function and…

Prometheus Biosciences is planning a clinical trial of its investigational anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic medication PRA023 in people with systemic scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD), a form of scleroderma characterized by inflammation and scarring (fibrosis) in the lungs. The Phase 2 study, called ATHENA-SSc-ILD, is planned to launch early…

Scleroderma renal crisis (SRC), a rare and severe manifestation of systemic scleroderma, is disproportionately common in Blacks, a new study reports. “Black race was independently associated with a higher risk of future SRC,” its researchers wrote. “Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms that underlie this important association.”…

Talaris Therapeutics has launched a Phase 2 clinical trial to test its treatment candidate FCR001 for people with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc), a severe form of scleroderma. The trial, called FREEDOM-3 (NCT05098145), is now underway at the University of Michigan, where adults with rapidly progressing…

A first patient has been enrolled in a pivotal Phase 2b clinical trial testing the safety and effectiveness of HZN-825, Horizon Therapeutics‘ oral investigational medicine for people with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc), a form of systemic scleroderma. The trial (NCT04781543) aims to enroll 300 people, between…

Children with an extremely rare form of systemic scleroderma tend to experience longer diagnostic delays, are more likely to have heart involvement, and have worse clinical outcomes, according to a study of five children with the condition, which has no skin involvement. The study, “Systemic sclerosis…