News

Osteopontin, a protein known to play a role in tissue regeneration, immune system regulation, and bone remodeling, may be driving scarring of lung tissue in people with scleroderma associated with interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD), a study suggests. High levels of osteopontin — produced by a subtype of immune cells…

People with scleroderma are at a higher risk of developing diseases that affect the heart or blood vessels — commonly known as cardiovascular diseases — compared with those who do not have the autoimmune disorder, a review study has found. Physicians caring for scleroderma patients should keep this risk…

More than 40% of scleroderma patients are diagnosed with osteopenia (loss of bone mass) or osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones) and the risk is increased by time from first symptom and with the use of non-corticosteroid…

Brain cancer associated with a viral infection was found in two people with scleroderma after doses of their immunosuppressive therapies were reduced, a case series reports.  The findings suggest that either immunosuppression reduced viral clearance, leading to cancer, or removing such therapies…

The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation to ACE-1334, an investigational therapy that aims to ease scarring in the lungs of people with scleroderma. Acceleron Pharma, the company developing ACE-1334, plans to launch a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial next year,…

A new documentary, “Beyond Breathless,” will showcase the journey of those affected by interstitial lung disease (ILD) through the real experiences of people living with rare lung diseases, their loved ones, and healthcare professionals. The documentary, by pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim, will premier at noon EST Saturday (Dec. 5) on…

To empower and equip members of the rare disease community to engage state leaders in matters of importance to patients and their families, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has launched an initiative across the U.S. Its goal is to establish a Rare Disease Advisory Council (RDAC)…

Cantargia‘s antibody CAN10, intended to treat people with scleroderma and myocarditis, will be produced by BioInvent under the terms of a new manufacturing agreement, the two companies announced. The investigational therapy is currently in preclinical studies. Cantargia hopes to launch a Phase 1 clinical trial in early 2022,…

The first wave of COVID-19 in Europe severely disrupted access to care and raised stress and anxiety in people with rare diseases, negatively affecting their health and well-being, according to a survey conducted by Eurordis-Rare Diseases Europe. “People living with rare diseases in Europe have found themselves caught as collateral…

Proteins involved in scarring and the escape of immune cells from blood vessels towards nearby tissues are found at high levels in people with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc), a new study reports. The findings also revealed that greater levels of specific proteins correlated with more severe thickening of…