News

A new blood test measures autoantibodies called anti-vinculin, which have been found to be higher in scleroderma patients and have also been associated with gastrointestinal complications and pulmonary hypertension. The test, called sclero-smart, was developed through a partnership with the Medically Associated Science and Technology (MAST) program at…

Treatment with plant-derived salvianolic acid B (SAB) reduced skin fibrosis in a mouse model of scleroderma. The findings suggest that SAB may be an effective treatment for people with scleroderma. The research, “Salvianolic acid B attenuates experimental skin fibrosis of systemic sclerosis,” was published in the…

A Phase 2a clinical trial will test the investigational therapy GLPG1690 in patients with diffuse cutaneous scleroderma. The double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2a study, called NOVESA (NCT03798366), will evaluate the efficacy, safety, and pharmacological profile of Galapagos’ GLPG1690. It is set to enroll 30 participants with diffuse cutaneous…

IGFBP-5, a protein that appears to be involved in the early stages of fibrosis, may be a potential therapy for lung fibrosis, new preclinical research done at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) found. Using human lung fibroblasts and lung…

Cash-strapped governments across the 28-member European Union are struggling to control runaway healthcare expenditures — at exactly the same time as the promise of new but expensive therapies to treat rare diseases has never been greater. That’s the paradox faced by pharmaceutical companies as well as patient advocacy groups in…

Treatment with rituximab appears to stabilize microcirculation — blood circulation in small vessels called capillaries — in patients with long-term diffuse systemic sclerosis (SSc), a study suggests. The study, “Effects of treatment with rituximab on microcirculation in patients with long-term systemic sclerosis,” was published in BMC Research…

People with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are at higher risk for degeneration of a main wrist nerve, a study suggests. Although for many people this condition might be asymptomatic, early detection can help prevent further deterioration and problems with hand and finger movement. The study, “Median neuropathy…

Pacemaker implantation in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with secondary complete heart block (CHB) may be a required procedure to avoid clinical complications, according to recent case report. The case study, titled “Complete heart block in systemic sclerosis: A case report and literature review,” describes an SSc patient with…

Autoantibodies against fat molecules present in the membrane of cells, called antiphospholipid antibodies, are associated with an increased risk of blood clots and miscarriage among scleroderma (SSc) patients, a study reports. The study, “Prevalence and Clinical Associations of Antiphospholipid Antibodies in Systemic Sclerosis: New Data From a…

Inhibiting a key innate immunity protein known as TLR4 with a compound called TAK242 prevented and reversed skin and lung fibrosis (scarring) in mouse models, and eased the production of collagen in cells from scleroderma patients. The findings suggest that TAK242 may be a new therapeutic approach for people…