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.
A differential blood cell count — a routine test that tells how many cells of each type there are in the blood — may be able to foretell the course of disease in patients with systemic scleroderma (SSc), according to a U.S. study. Higher numbers in both neutrophil counts…
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…
In patients with systemic sclerosis, low levels in the blood of two proteins, SIRT1 and SIRT3, are associated with poor lung function, widespread skin scarring, and inflammatory damage to the small blood vessels, a recent study shows. Results suggest that SIRT1 and SIRT3 may be useful biomarkers to predict…
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…
Patient registries are a hot topic of rare disease research and many organizations are taking advantage of this resource by signing up their patient communities and connecting with researchers. Eric Sid, MD, program officer for the Office of Rare Diseases Research (ORDR), said it is difficult to estimate how…
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…
New data from patient samples and a mouse model provide support for the further development of Chemomab Therapeutics‘ lead candidate, CM-101 — an antibody targeting the CCL24 protein — for the treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc), according to two recent scientific presentations. Encouraged by the new data, the company…
Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC), a technique to detect small changes in circulation, may be a promising biomarker of likely severe organ involvement in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc) although more data is needed, according to a recent study. “The generation of consistent high-quality research in this area may lead to…
Horizon Therapeutics has launched its #RAREis Representation program aimed at increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion among patients with rare diseases. There are about 400 million people worldwide living with a rare disease; for many of them, access to diagnosis, care, and treatments can be challenging. Accessing better care depends on…
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