Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

Emerald Health’s lead cannabinoid-derived investigational therapy, EHP-101, shows promise as a possible oral treatment for scleroderma, a mouse study shows. A second cannabinoid-derivative, called VCE-004.3, also showed potential to enhance anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic responses in animal models of scleroderma. Both EHP-101 and VCE-004.3 are derived from cannabidiol…

Autoreactive antibodies, or autoantibodies, were detected in the blood of patients with scleroderma (also called systemic sclerosis, or SSc) and shown to trigger proinflammatory and pro-scarring responses when added to skin fibroblasts from healthy subjects, researchers report. Their study, “Immune complexes containing scleroderma-specific autoantibodies induce a…

Inhalation of dust particles containing silica is linked to a higher prevalence of systemic sclerosis (SSc), namely the diffuse forms of the disease, along with muscle inflammation and lung scarring, a study suggests. The study, “High serum levels of silica nanoparticles in systemic sclerosis patients with occupational exposure:…

Light therapy delivered locally using a lamp that emits infrared, red and ultraviolet light reduced by 83 percent the burden of digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, a new study reports. The study, “A feasibility study of a novel low-level light therapy for digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis,”…

A protein called BAFF, or B-cell activating factor, was found to drive skin and lung fibrosis in systemic scleroderma (SSc) by altering the balance between two subsets of immune B-cells in a mouse model, indicating its potential as a future therapeutic target, a study reports. Researchers observed that these…

A lower score on the six-minute walk test (6MWT) correlates with disease severity and mortality in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), supporting its validity in assessing the prognosis of these patients, a study reports. Results also showed that an additional meter walked during the test corresponded with a…

High levels of a protein called KL-6, produced by lung cells and secreted into the blood, can predict early signs of lung function worsening in patients with systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD), a study reports. Researchers established a value of 1,273 U/mL for KL-6 as a biomarker for SSc-ILD…

Levels of certain important signaling molecules called cytokines are associated with different clinical manifestations in patients with scleroderma, a study suggests. The study, “Different profile of cytokine production in patients with systemic sclerosis and association with clinical manifestations,” was published in the journal Immunology Letters. Cytokines are…

Therapeutic plasma exchange, which aims to treat systemic sclerosis (SSc) by clearing the blood of antibodies, cytokines and other factors that might promote disease progression, shows potential as a therapy, a review study reported. But a well-designed clinical trial, incorporating equipment and techniques that have come into use since therapeutic…

Severe malnutrition significantly decreases the quality of life of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), according to researchers. Standardized nutritional screening is needed to identify those at risk of malnutrition so that interventions are rapidly introduced to avoid disease worsening. The study, “The impact of malnutrition on…