News

First Patient Enrolled in Drug Study for Scleroderma-Related Raynaud’s

Biopharmaceutical company Apricus Biosciences, Inc. announced it has successfully enrolled the first patient for a Phase 2a clinical trial for RayVaâ„¢, the company’s frontline candidate for scleroderma-related Raynaud’s phenomenon. Scleroderma, classified among autoimmune rheumatic diseases, causes hardening or spontaneous scarring of the skin, internal organs,…

New Scleroderma Criteria Improves Upon Disease Classification

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…

Localized Scleroderma Characterized by T-Cell Cytokines and Chemokines

New Scleroderma-related findings have linked two variations of the disease, which in turn could lead to effective, new biomarkers and targeted treatments for patients. Two clinically different diseases, localized scleroderma (LS) and systemic sclerosis (SSc), can be characterized by similar T-cell produced cytokines and chemokines in pediatric patients,…

Autotaxin Protein Can Be Targeted in SSc Therapy

A group from Massachusetts General Hospital is placing possible blame for systemic sclerosis (SSc) pathogenesis on autotaxin (ATX), an enzyme involved in the production of the lipid signaling molecule lysophophatidic acid (LPA). Dr. Falvia V. Castelino, a researcher in the Rheumatology Department, presented the group’s work, “…

Probiotics Investigated in SSc Patients with GI Symptoms

Federal University of São Paulo recently initiated a phase 3 clinical trial evaluating the use of probiotics in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) to determine the efficacy and safety of treating gastrointestinal symptoms of SSc. As an autoimmune disease, SSc may benefit from probiotics due to their ability to…

Routine Exam for SSc Patients May Also Monitor Lung Function

Closely examining the capillaries of the fingers, perhaps one of the most non-invasive procedures possible, may be provide insight into pulmonary function in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). A research group from Spain, led by Drs. Ivan Castellvi and Jordi Casademont, identified worse forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusing capacity…