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The experimental therapy MT-7117 reduces lung inflammation, skin fibrosis (scarring), and blood vessel impairment in a mouse model of systemic sclerosis (SSc), a study found. “MT-7117 demonstrates disease-modifying effects in preclinical models of SSc,” the researchers wrote. “The results of the present study suggest that MT-7117 is a potential…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the experimental therapy efzofitimod fast track status as a potential treatment for interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The designation is given to speed up the development and review of therapies designed to treat serious health conditions.

A ranked list of genes in the skin may provide a molecular barcode, or signature, for subtypes of systemic sclerosis (SSc) that would otherwise be missed by the usual methods of diagnosing this disease, a study reported. The finding breaks further ground toward the use of a new classification scheme…

Levels of a type of immune cell called T-cells are elevated in skin biopsies from children with localized scleroderma, a new study shows. The study showed that T-cells from pediatric localized scleroderma patients can promote scar-forming activity in skin cells when grown together in a laboratory culture. Researchers also…

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…