News

Between 4% and 6% of people with scleroderma (SSc) were first determined to have an interstitial lung disease (ILD), according to an analysis of a large U.S. insurance claims database. This finding supports evidence of scleroderma’s early impact on lung disease, and “underline the importance of clinical examination and…

Simulations Plus has released software that aims to use advanced mathematical computer models to predict responses to therapy in people with interstitial lung disease associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc-ILD). The company says the new software, called ILDsym version 1A, may help toward developing new therapies for people with…

People with scleroderma (SSc) in Spain have a 1.5 times higher overall risk of cancer than the general population, according to a new study. Further, these patients were found to have a higher rate of lung, breast, and blood cancers. The risk of cancer is higher in patients with…

Levels of a protein called soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (sST2) were linked to signs of cardiac involvement in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc), a study found. Interleukin-33 (IL-33), a molecule that binds to sST2, was associated with worse skin scarring in patients. The findings suggest sST2 could be a…

Raloxifene, a medication used to prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women, was able to reduce fibrosis, or scarring, in cell and mouse models of systemic sclerosis (SSc). The research team noted that the patient stem cell-based model they used offers a promising way to evaluate therapeutic candidates for rare…

Raynaud’s phenomenon or skin ulcer symptoms associated with scleroderma worsened in around one-third of patients after iloprost infusions were stopped for a spell at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a survey study of patients in Italy reported. A low density of small blood vessels predicted the worsening of symptoms…

The Scleroderma Research Foundation‘s annual star-studded “Cool Comedy, Hot Cuisine” event will this year honor the late comedian and actor Bob Saget, who spearheaded the fundraiser for three decades. Saget, who died in January, had worked for more than 30 years to promote scleroderma research following the death of his…

The investigational oral therapy APT-101 was well tolerated and reduced fibrosis, or scarring, in a mouse model of systemic sclerosis (SSc), according to a recent presentation from the therapy’s developer, Apie Therapeutics. Apie is developing APT-101 to treat interstitial lung disease (ILD), a term that encompasses a group…

An independent committee of experts recommended accelerating a Phase 2 clinical trial of Aisa Pharma‘s experimental oral therapy Profervia in scleroderma patients who have Raynaud’s phenomenon, a common disease where the fingers and toes become numb or tingly in response to cold or stress. “We believe Profervia…

Note: This story was updated June 14, 2023, to correct that patients receiving Ofev in the SENSCIS trial experienced a fourfold decline in lung function compared with a hypothetical group of matched healthy references, while those given Ofev declined by twofold.  People treated with Ofev (nintedanib) for interstitial lung…