News

SRF joins capital effort to advance drug development for scleroderma

The Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF) announced that it has joined Vie Ventures to advance research and accelerate the development of innovative therapies for scleroderma and other autoimmune diseases. The venture capital firm unites biotech investors with autoimmune disease organizations to fund the translation of scientific discoveries into…

Scientists ID 4 SSc-ILD subtypes to better predict patient outcomes

Scientists in China have identified four distinct subtypes of systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD), each characterized by different clinical characteristics, a new study found. With these four subtypes identified, the team then analyzed outcomes for each subtype and found differing survival rates and factors associated with mortality, which…

Scleroderma community gears up for awareness month in June

June is Scleroderma Awareness Month, and the scleroderma community is kicking into gear to spread awareness about the rare, chronic disorder. The National Scleroderma Foundation has selected “Stories of Strength” as this year’s theme, encouraging people with scleroderma to share their stories about how the disease has affected…

Ofev consistently slows lung function decline in SSc-ILD: Study

Lung function decline among people with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) was significantly slowed over the course of about four years of treatment with Ofev (nintedanib), according to a new analysis of trial data. The analysis was based on changes in forced vital capacity, or FVC, a measure…

Large study IDs risks for primary heart involvement in scleroderma

Wasting of the skeletal muscle, older age, being male, and having swollen joints are among the risk factors for primary heart involvement associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc), according to a study using a worldwide database. Particularly, intestinal symptoms, widened blood vessels underneath the skin, called telangiectasia, and older age…