Patricia Inácio, PhD, science writer —

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR), together with the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) published new criteria for classification of systemic sclerosis. The new guidelines were introduced to allow earlier diagnosis and facilitate more targeted therapeutic treatments. The criteria were published in the journal of Arthritis & Rheumatism in…

New research presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting in Boston highlights that patients with systemic sclerosis with end-stage lung disease cannot be denied lung transplantation on the premises that other extra-pulmonary factors will determine their long-term survival. Scleroderma, also known as systemic sclerosis (SSc), is an autoimmune disease…

Those in the Scleroderma community are taking note of recent news that Bayer HealthCare will be initiating a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase II clinical study to investigate efficacy and safety of riociguat in patients suffering from diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc), according to an announcement by the company. The study is…

Inventiva Pharma’s lead product, IVA337, recently received a positive review by The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Committee for Orphan Medicinal Products (COMP) to treat Systemic Sclerosis. The news is a step in the right direction for patients in Europe suffering from the disease, and is also yet another positive sign of…

In the study entitled “Electrical storm in systemic sclerosis: Inside the electroanatomic substrate” published in World Journal of Cardiology the authors describe a case report of a 63-year-old woman with a severe form of systemic scleroderma with cardiac involvement. In the report, the researchers highlight…

The ASTIS trial (Autologous Stem cell Transplantation International Scleroderma), launched in 2001, evaluated the efficacy of autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in patients with systemic sclerosis. A key point to safe use of HSCT is a correct evaluation of cardiac condition, and a close follow up for cardiac…

In a study entitled “Systemic Sclerosis and Silicone Breast Implant: A Case Report and Review of the Literature” the authors report a case of development of systemic sclerosis shortly after silicone breast implantation surgery. The study was published in the Case Reports in Rheumatology journal. Systemic…

Scleroderma patients from Canada are seeking access to an experimental U.S. stem cell therapy to help fight the disease. A study pioneered by Dr. Richard Burt at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago features injecting stem cells intravenously, in an approach called Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT). HSCT therapy begins…

A study entitled “FibronectinEDA Promotes Chronic Cutaneous Fibrosis Through Toll-Like Receptor Signaling” recently published in Science Translational Medicine reports the discovery of the role of a new protein, fibronectin extra domain A, in scleroderma. The discovery may explain what causes the onset of the disease…

A new study entitled “Increased frequency of class I and II anti-human leukocyte antigen antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus and scleroderma and associated factors: a comparative study” published in October issue of the International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases reports increased levels of anti-HLA antibodies in the…