News

A computer algorithm called DETECT correctly identified all cases of a potentially life-threatening type of high blood pressure in a group of people with scleroderma in a recent study. The algorithm outperformed standard methods, showing potential as an effective means of screening SSc patients for developing pulmonary arterial hypertension…

Gene activity analysis has revealed similarities and differences between scleroderma and related lung cancer, a study reports. Similarities were related to enhanced immunity and weakened regulation of a cell’s life cycle, which suggested common mechanisms underlying the increased risk of lung…

Treating facial atrophy in localized scleroderma by grafting stem cells from a patient’s own fat tissue appears to be a safe and effective alternative to existing methods, according to a small clinical study. The findings were published in an article, “A pilot study on ex vivo…

Higher-than-normal blood levels of the vasohibin-1 protein are associated with a greater risk of interstitial lung disease (ILD) and skin scarring among people with scleroderma, a study suggests. The researchers said their findings show that vasohibin-1 is “a potential marker” for lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis…

The EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases is accepting applications for a scholarship program that aims to help adults with a rare disease pursue personal goals through training and education. For a second year, the #RAREis Scholarship Fund — supported by Horizon Therapeutics – will award 35 one-time scholarships, each…

The Scleroderma Foundation has awarded eight research grants for projects seeking to advance personalized medicine, lab-grown skin, new therapeutic targets, and more, in the field of scleroderma research. “The proposals from these scientists received the highest ranking from the Peer Review committee for quality of scientific design and…

Low levels of the galectin-10 protein (Gal-10) in scleroderma patients associate with inflammation and vascular changes in the lungs, leading to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This finding, from a recent study, provides the first evidence that GAL-10 may play a role in scleroderma. The study, “A…

Using a laptop, a computer-based machine learning tool was able to distinguish, with 95% accuracy, normal skin images from those collected from people with systemic sclerosis (SSc), a study demonstrated. This tool has the potential to rapidly diagnose SSc and to accurately classify the extent of…

CT scans show that Actemra (tocilizumab) can prevent lung disease in patients with systemic scleroderma if detected early enough, an analysis of Phase 3 trial data reported.  These findings support the use of CT scans at…

As anyone affected by a rare disease knows, treating the illness while trying to go about everyday life is an expensive undertaking.  But exactly how expensive — in terms of direct and indirect costs across rare disease populations — might still come as a surprise: almost…