Marta Figueiredo, PhD, science writer —

Long-term treatment with Ofev (nintedanib) safely and effectively slows lung function decline in adults with interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc-ILD), according to an early analysis of the SENSCIS-ON extension study. Notably, patients treated with Ofev in both the Phase 3 SENSCIS trial (NCT02597933)…

Ofev (nintedanib) slows clinically relevant disease progression in adults with interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc-ILD), according to an exploratory analysis of the Phase 3 SENSCIS trial. These new results, combined with the trial’s top-line data, which showed that Ofev significantly slowed the annual rate of…

The American College of Rheumatology Combined Response Index in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (ACR CRISS) appears to be a consistent and reliable measure of how these patients feel and function, according to data recently presented by Corbus Pharmaceuticals. Notably, the research suggests that this composite measure, which is frequently used…

Emerald Health Pharmaceuticals has launched a clinical trial evaluating EHP-101, its investigational cannabidiol-derived therapy, in adults with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc). “This is our first Phase 2 clinical study, which is another important milestone for our lead product candidate,” Joachim Schupp, MD, Emerald Health’s chief…

Higher-than-normal blood levels of squamous cell carcinoma antigen 1 (SCCA1), a pro-fibrotic protein, are associated with a greater risk of interstitial lung disease (ILD) among people with systemic sclerosis (SSc-ILD), a study suggests. This finding points to SCCA1 blood levels as a potential biomarker for early detection of SSc-ILD,…

A panel of experts in Europe defined a set of recommendations for the diagnosis and management of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc), based on a systematic literature review and expert consensus. The guidelines were outlined in a report, “The identification and management…

Privigen — an approved therapy for a range of immune-related conditions — has been granted orphan drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of systemic scleroderma. Orphan drug designation is given to investigational therapies with the potential to be safe and effective…

The levels of an immunosuppressive protein called human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) are significantly higher in the immune cells of people with scleroderma or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), suggesting its potential role in controlling impaired immune responses in these diseases, a study has found. However, further studies…

Early detection of bowel perforation in scleroderma patients who are experiencing abdominal symptoms may be lifesaving, according to a case report. Researchers emphasize that it is essential clinicians be aware of the risk and possible severe consequences of bowel perforation in these patients. Effective therapies halting tissue scarring (fibrosis) are required…

Treatment with Ofev (nintedanib) slows the rate of lung function decline in people with autoimmune-related interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), including scleroderma, a new analysis shows. Those are the results of the global Phase 3 INBUILD study (NCT02999178), which evaluated the therapeutic benefits of Ofev in people with…