News

UVA1 Phototherapy Appears to Ease Lesions in Localized Scleroderma

UVA1 phototherapy, a form of treatment that uses light for skin disorders, helps ease skin lesions in people with localized scleroderma by regulating certain genes responsible for inflammation and scarring, a study has found. The study, “Clinical and laboratory characterization of patients with localized scleroderma and response to…

Organoid Treatment Lowers Inflammation, Fibrosis in Mice

Treatment with stem cells grown into a skin-like structure called an organoid reduced inflammation and fibrosis (scarring) in a mouse model of localized scleroderma, a new study found. The study, “Application of an iPSC-Derived Organoid Model for Localized Scleroderma Therapy,” was published in Advanced Science.

Ultrasound Plus Manual Therapy Helps in Healing Digital Ulcers

A combination of ultrasound and therapy that includes joint manipulation and massage improved hand function and ulcer wound healing in a small group of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with skin involvement, a study reported. “Therapeutic [ultrasound ] combined with manual therapy should be used as additional intervention to manage…

Increased Education Crucial to Improving Rare Disease Care, Survey Finds

Healthcare providers involved in diagnosing and treating rare diseases believe that increased physician education and collaboration with specialized facilities will have the greatest positive impact on treating these conditions over the next five years, according to results from a 2021 survey. Definitive Healthcare, a healthcare commercial intelligence company, conducted…

Worse Organ Damage Likely for Older Men With Diffuse SSc: Study

Several clinical characteristics in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc) — specifically, being male, older age, diffuse SSc forms, and inflammation — were associated with a greater accumulation of organ damage over time in a recent study. The level of damage accumulation, called a damage trajectory, also correlated with mortality…

Gene Profiling Reveals SSc-ILD Patients Who Respond Best to CellCept

Gene activity profiles in blood cells isolated from systemic sclerosis patients with interstitial lung disease predicted lung function responses to the immunosuppressant therapy CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil), a study has shown. These findings support the use of non-invasive gene profiling to identify patients who will best respond to CellCept…