News

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…

Light therapy delivered locally using a lamp that emits infrared, red and ultraviolet light reduced by 83 percent the burden of digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, a new study reports. The study, “A feasibility study of a novel low-level light therapy for digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis,”…

High protein levels in the urine, poor kidney function, and high blood pressure at the time of systemic sclerosis (SSc) diagnosis are strong predictors for the future development of scleroderma renal crisis (SRC), a study suggests. These and other laboratory findings…

Although serological markers correlate with joint inflammation in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), markers that might accurately diagnose systemic sclerosis-rheumatoid arthritis (SSc-RA) overlap syndrome are still lacking, a new study reports. “Anti-CCP antibodies and rheumatoid factor in systemic sclerosis: Prevalence and relationships with joint manifestations” was…

A key innate immunity protein called TLR4 is a key driver of organ fibrosis, according to a new study conducted in mice and scleroderma patients. The finding suggests that targeting TLR4 may be an effective therapeutic strategy in certain patients. The study, “TLR4-dependent fibroblast activation…

A protein called BAFF, or B-cell activating factor, was found to drive skin and lung fibrosis in systemic scleroderma (SSc) by altering the balance between two subsets of immune B-cells in a mouse model, indicating its potential as a future therapeutic target, a study reports. Researchers observed that these…

A lower score on the six-minute walk test (6MWT) correlates with disease severity and mortality in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), supporting its validity in assessing the prognosis of these patients, a study reports. Results also showed that an additional meter walked during the test corresponded with a…

Malakoplakia, a rare granulomatous disorder, was reported for the first time in a patient with systemic sclerosis in a recent case report. The report, “Bladder Malakoplakia in Systemic Sclerosis Patient: A Case Report and Review Literature,” was published in the Journal of Endourology Case Reports. Systemic sclerosis…

High levels of a protein called KL-6, produced by lung cells and secreted into the blood, can predict early signs of lung function worsening in patients with systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD), a study reports. Researchers established a value of 1,273 U/mL for KL-6 as a biomarker for SSc-ILD…