Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

Activation of certain immune cells in scleroderma (SSc) may be linked to infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), researchers showed. The study, “Epstein-Barr virus lytic infection promotes activation of Toll-like receptor 8 innate immune response in systemic sclerosis monocytes,” appeared in the journal Arthritis Research & Therapy. The human immune system…

Levels of the cytokine CXCl4 in the bloodstream drop sharply in response to immunosuppressive therapy, and are associated with improved lung function in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), a study shows. The research, “Changes in plasma CXCL4 levels are associated with improvements in lung function…

Activating a class of nuclear receptors, called peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), with the drug IVA337 eased fibrosis in an animal model of systemic sclerosis, researchers reported. The study, “Pan PPAR agonist IVA337 is effective in prevention and treatment of experimental skin fibrosis,” was published in the journal…

Researchers found that increased levels of Th-17 cytokines are associated with interstitial lung disease in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Targeting this group of cytokines may improve lung inflammation and halt the progression of lung fibrosis. Cytokines are small secreted proteins released by the immune system. They are cell-signaling molecules…

Samumed has recently presented promising results on investigative product SM04755, a small molecule that modulates cells’ Wnt pathway, showing the drug’s potential use as a treatment for scleroderma. Samumed, a pharmaceutical company focused on regenerative medicine and oncology applications, is encouraged by the results and expects to expand its ongoing clinical trials testing…

A new topical medicine, called SM04755, significantly decreased and even reversed fibrosis and inflammation in in vitro and in vivo mouse studies of scleroderma. These results suggest SM04755 is a potential topical medicine for scleroderma patients. The study, “Discovery of a Small Molecule Inhibitor of the Wnt Pathway (SM04755) As a Potential Topical…

Corbus Pharmaceuticals recently announced that its Phase 2 clinical trial assessing the drug Resunab as a potential treatment for diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis is now fully enrolled. The study (NCT02465437) is a randomized, double-blind and placebo-control trial, taking place at nine sites across the U.S., to evaluate Resunab’s efficacy, tolerability, safety and pharmacokinetics…

In the lung’s extracellular matrix (ECM) — observed in both cultured cells from systemic sclerosis patients and a mouse model — the protein netrin-1  was seen to regulate the accumulation of collagen-producing fibrocytes and promote pulmonary fibrosis. The study, “Netrin-1 Regulates Fibrocyte Accumulation in the Decellularized Fibrotic Sclerodermatous Lung Microenvironment and in Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis,” published…

In a recent study, researchers identified advanced skin fibrosis at baseline as a predictor of likely regression — or disease improvement — in patients under standard of care measures in clinical trials, making this group the least ideal for inclusion in such trials. The study, “Prediction of improvement in skin fibrosis in diffuse cutaneous systemic…

Researchers recently discovered a natural molecule, the M10 peptide, that can significantly decrease fibrosis in a mouse model of scleroderma. The study, “M10, a caspase cleavage product of the hepatocyte growth factor receptor, interacts with Smad2 and demonstrates antifibrotic properties in vitro and in vivo,” was published in the journal…