News

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…

Emerald Health Pharmaceuticals’ lead cannabinoid-derived treatment candidate, EHP-101, has shown potential to prevent skin and lung tissue scaring in a mouse model of systemic sclerosis, the company reports. Emerald also claims that EHP-101’s therapeutic activity is similar or superior to that seen in ajulemic acid, also known as…

Considerable differences in features of pulmonary hypertension among people with systemic sclerosis (SSc) markedly affect their survival chances, and treatment approaches given should be tailored accordingly, according to an analysis of patients grouped according to lung disease severity. SSc patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) but no evidence — or limited…

Specific traits at the time of diagnosis, including symptoms and lung function status, may predict morbidity and mortality in people with scleroderma, a nine-year follow-up study shows. The age and gender of the patient, type of scleroderma, presence of pulmonary fibrosis or hypertension, and lung function status are among…

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a medical technique used to form detailed pictures of the inside of our bodies, has the potential to detect and diagnose abnormalities in the hearts of patients with scleroderma, a study suggests. According to researchers involved in the study, MRI identified abnormalities in the hearts of…

Treatment with Corbus Pharmaceuticals’ investigative therapy lenabasum (formerly known as anabasum) significantly improves the symptoms of diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis in a Phase 2 open-label extension study. The latest results from the trial were recently discussed at the 2018 Annual European Congress of Rheumatology (EULAR) held in Amsterdam,…

Genes and microRNAs that are a part of cancer-promoting signaling pathways are also overly active in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, possibly predisposing them to malignancies, a study reports. The study, “Gene Profiling in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis Reveals the Presence of Oncogenic Gene Signatures,” was published in the journal…