News

Eight weeks of treatment with a small molecule called paquinimod significantly reduced the number of myofibroblasts — cells that drive scarring — in people with scleroderma, a small clinical trial reported. Findings also suggested that paquinimod may lessen type I interferon (IFN) activity, a relevant scleroderma biomarker, and appeared…

Thirona Bio has partnered with EnZen Therapeutics to accelerate the development of its experimental topical therapy FBM5712 for scleroderma and other conditions associated with scarring (fibrosis). EnZen’s investment in Thirona, part of a convertible promissory note arrangement, may be converted into equity in the long run. The companies…

An enrolling clinical trial is assessing whether a “booster shot” of a COVID-19 vaccine can improve the immune response in people with scleroderma and other autoimmune diseases who did not respond, at all or optimally, to their original COVID-19 vaccine regimen. The study also will test whether temporarily stopping…

Supervised rehabilitation combining a whirlpool bath with active exercises and hand and elbow massages may improve hand and overall function in people with scleroderma, a study from Poland reported. Its findings suggest that a four-week rehabilitation program may be enough for these benefits to last up to six months…

The fecal microbiome — the community of microbes present in stools — of scleroderma patients is more diverse than that of healthy people, according to a Canadian study. The findings also showed that the diversity and abundance of bacterial species in the stools was higher among patients with an abnormal…

Sexual dysfunction is common among both men and women with scleroderma (SSc), a review study says. According to the researchers, closer consideration of sexual dysfunction is warranted as it impairs patients’ quality of life. “Paying greater attention to the sexual function of patients with SSc is meaningful because sexual…

High levels of a protein known as CTRP9 appear to indicate worsening lung function in patients with systemic scleroderma (SSc), according to a recent study. The discovery suggests that CTRP9 may be a useful biomarker for the loss of lung function in SSc. Such biomarkers are sorely needed, researchers…

Nearly 30% of scleroderma patients have nerve damage outside of the brain and spinal cord — called peripheral neuropathy — and it most frequently appears in the first decade after disease onset, according to a review study. Notably, this frequency is higher than that reported for the general…

Some patients with systemic scleroderma (SSc) appear to develop breast cancer with a good prognosis, a small study has found. The findings suggest reducing exposure to cancer therapies, namely chemotherapy and radiotherapy, which should be limited to higher-risk patients. The study, “Clinical and pathological features of breast cancer…

Nearly two-thirds of people with scleroderma undergo physical therapy — often called PT — and are generally satisfied with their care. But nearly half of all patients need more information on such treatment, according to the results of a questionnaire conducted in the Netherlands. Individual therapy, provided by…