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Fibrocell Science‘s gene therapy candidate FCX-013 received fast track designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a treatment for moderate-to-severe localized scleroderma, which usually does not affect internal organs. The FDA’s latest move adds to its previously granted orphan drug and rare pediatric…

High-frequency ultrasound (HFU) of the skin can help evaluate the progression and define disease activity in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), researchers suggest. This noninvasive method was seen to have the potential to effectively and quantitatively measure skin thickness, representing an attractive strategy to objectively assess skin changes in patients…

The Scleroderma Foundation has named Lesley Ann Saketkoo, MD, as Doctor of the Year. This award is granted to leaders in the field who have demonstrated a commitment to the battle against scleroderma. Saketkoo is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine. She is…

Patients with scleroderma and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) have increased levels of two serum proteins, midkine (MDK) and follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3), according to a new study. The finding indicates that combined measurement of these biomarkers could quicken diagnosis. The research, “Serum biomarker for diagnostic evaluation…

A European Union study found that patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to scleroderma who undergo a kidney transplant have a greater chance of surviving for five years or more, compared to those who receive renal replacement therapy (RRT) only — a treatment involving dialysis, which consists of long-term…

AdipoRon, a therapy targeting the signaling pathways that involve the protein adiponectin, was able to reduce clinical features of systemic sclerosis (SSc), including inflammation and skin fibrosis, in a mouse model, a study shows. The study, “An orally-active adiponectin receptor agonist mitigates cutaneous fibrosis, inflammation and microvascular…

Inhalation of dust particles containing silica is linked to a higher prevalence of systemic sclerosis (SSc), namely the diffuse forms of the disease, along with muscle inflammation and lung scarring, a study suggests. The study, “High serum levels of silica nanoparticles in systemic sclerosis patients with occupational exposure:…

Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are more likely to experience stiffness in the right atrium, or upper chamber, of the heart, which is significantly linked to worse functional capacity, a study suggests. Results revealed that other right atrium features related…

Patients with both scleroderma and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are younger at diagnosis, are more often women, and have less skin manifestations, but most importantly, show similar survival rates as those without lupus, according to a study. The study, “Epidemiology and Survival of Systemic Sclerosis-Systemic Lupus…

A protein involved in inflammation and tissue regrowth — HMGB1 — may be the main driver of blood vessel damage and tissue fibrosis in scleroderma, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target, according to a study. The study, “Platelet microparticles sustain autophagy-associated activation of neutrophils in…