News

Specific features of lesions associated with active disease in juvenile localized scleroderma — such as redness but not skin thickness — were identified in a study, and its researchers suggest they may be used to assess disease activity in young patients. The findings may be the first step toward a specific,…

Men are at greater risk of more severe and active systemic sclerosis (SSc) than are women at early stages of the disease, a large review study shows. The study, “Gender differences in early systemic sclerosis patients: a report from the EULAR scleroderma trials and research group (EUSTAR)…

The presence of moderate or severe small joint contractures, finger ulcerations, and the severity of Raynaud’s phenomenon show the strongest association with impaired hand function in scleroderma patients, a study reports. The study, “The association of sociodemographic and disease variables with hand function: a Scleroderma Patient-centered Intervention Network cohort…

The analysis of gene profile in blood samples may help identify scleroderma patients who could benefit most from stem cell transplant, a research study suggests. The study findings were discussed at the recent 2018 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting, in the presentation “…

With the U.S. midterm elections now less than two weeks away, patient advocacy groups are solidly focused on a range of hot-button issues, from the Orphan Drug Tax Creditand affordable health insurance to future funding for rare disease research. Yet “whether Democrats take over the House or Senate, or…

Additional evidence that the antioxidant protein Nrf2 is a key regulator of fibrosis and autoimmunity in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients has been described in a new study, providing further proof that this molecule may be a viable therapeutic target for treatment of the disease. The study, “…

Stem cell transplant confers superior and long-lasting clinical benefits compared to conventional treatment with Cytoxan cyclophosphamide in people with severe systemic scleroderma, including better functional ability and disease control, and prolonged survival, long-term extension data from a Phase 2/3 clinical trial show. The study, “…

Targeting the CD248 molecule may be a good therapeutic option for patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) due to the central role it seems to play in the development of fibrosis, a study reports. Results of the study, “Blocking CD248 molecules in perivascular stromal cells of patients…

As people age they accumulate a subset of more pro-inflammatory monocytes, a type of immune cell, that may ultimately contribute to the persistent low levels of chronic inflammation seen in the elderly, a new study reports. These findings may help in further understanding the mechanisms underlying inflammatory diseases, including systemic…

A study identified predictors for hospitalization due to lung and heart problems and mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients at risk for pulmonary hypertension (PH). Being a man, having a reduced capacity to clear carbon monoxide in the lungs, and having pericardial effusions (accumulation of fluids around the heart) were…