News

Talaris Therapeutics has launched a Phase 2 clinical trial to test its treatment candidate FCR001 for people with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc), a severe form of scleroderma. The trial, called FREEDOM-3 (NCT05098145), is now underway at the University of Michigan, where adults with rapidly progressing…

A higher rate of systemic sclerosis (SSc), very early diagnosis of systemic sclerosis (VEDOSS), and Raynaud’s phenomenon is evident among U.S. military veterans deployed in support of post-9/11 operations, compared with the general population, a study suggests. The data, obtained through Veterans Health Administration (VHA) health records, highlight…

Distinct levels of proteins in the bloodstream of scleroderma patients matched altered gene activity in their skin, a large-scale molecular analysis showed. Researchers said these blood proteins could prove to be much-needed biomarkers for this chronic disease. “These results indicate that [blood] proteins are attractive surrogate markers for tracking…

A first patient has been enrolled in a pivotal Phase 2b clinical trial testing the safety and effectiveness of HZN-825, Horizon Therapeutics‘ oral investigational medicine for people with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc), a form of systemic scleroderma. The trial (NCT04781543) aims to enroll 300 people, between…

Children with an extremely rare form of systemic scleroderma tend to experience longer diagnostic delays, are more likely to have heart involvement, and have worse clinical outcomes, according to a study of five children with the condition, which has no skin involvement. The study, “Systemic sclerosis…

Platelet inhibitors, or anti-platelet medication, is associated with a lower occurrence of digital ulcers — open sores on the fingers or toes — in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc), a study shows. These findings may “assist rheumatologists in decision making regarding the use of platelet inhibitors in SSc patients…

Black patients with scleroderma are at higher risk of mortality and serious complications such as interstitial lung disease than those of other racial or ethnic groups, a single-center U.S. study found. These findings may foster early monitoring of these patients as well as greater awareness among clinicians, researchers…

Infection was the leading cause of acute hospitalization and mortality in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc), a 10-year hospital study in Portugal found. Although most infection-related hospital admissions occurred in those with underlying lung disease, the scientists noted that a decrease in the total number of hospitalizations during the…

Ofev (nintedanib) effectively slowed lung function decline in adults with interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc-ILD) across patient groups based on autoantibody status and skin involvement severity, according to an analysis of the SENSCIS trial. These findings add to the trial’s top-line results,…

Cudetaxestat, a potential anti-scarring medication, has been granted orphan drug status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of scleroderma. “There are limited options and high medical need for patients suffering from systemic sclerosis [SSc, or scleroderma],” Daven Mody, vice president of regulatory affairs…