News

Study Discusses Three Therapies for Digital Ulcers in SSc

Digital ulcers, or open sores on the fingers and toes that do not heal, are common complications of systemic sclerosis. Approximately 30% of patients with systemic sclerosis have digital ulcers, most commonly on the fingertips or on the elbows due to taut skin or trauma. These painful sores can lead…

Antiphospholipid Antibody Levels High In SSc Patients

Autoimmune conditions can sometimes come in pairs, and it appears that individuals for systemic sclerosis (SSc) may also be at a risk for antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. A study from the Clinical Immunology Department of Colentina Clinical Hospital in Romania identified that patients with SSc commonly express antiphospholipid antibodies, although not…

Systemic Sclerosis Patients’ Intestinal Microbiome Found To Be Enriched by Inflammatory Bacteria

According to a study recently presented at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR), Rome, patients with systemic sclerosis harbor a unique microbiome in their gut when compared to healthy individuals, which may contribute to patients’ immune dysfunction. Systemic sclerosis, also known as scleroderma, is an autoimmune disease (autoimmune diseases…

Breakthrough Therapy Designation Awarded to Roche for SSc Treatment

It’s a breakthrough: Roche has been awarded breakthrough therapy designation status for its ACTEMRA®/RoACTEMRA® (tocilizumab) treatment in patients with systemic sclerosis. The designation will enable Roche to speed up development and review of its treatment to help bring systemic sclerosis patients this new treatment as soon as possible. “Close to…

Study Findings Show IPF Methods For Predicting Mortality Also Work For SSc-ILD

Recently, a group of researchers from University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada released study results in which they found that mortality risk prediction models used to clinically assess the 1-year survival rate for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), could also be utilized to accurately predict short-term mortality in patients…