News

Results from a Phase 2 clinical trial shows that stem cell transplants can provide better long-term benefits than the standard treatment for patients with severe scleroderma. Myeloablative autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant, which uses high doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation before the patient’s own stem cells are transplanted,…

Researchers have discovered that plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) contribute to the skin scarring in scleroderma, making them a possible target for treating the disease. The study, “Plasmacytoid dendritic cells promote systemic sclerosis with a key role for TLR8,” was published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.

Organ fibrosis in scleroderma patients might be reversed with treatments that allow fibrotic cells to self-destruct, Harvard scientists suggest. Their study, “Targeted apoptosis of myofibroblasts with the BH3 mimetic ABT-263 reverses established fibrosis,” appeared in the journal Science Translational Medicine. It demonstrated that the survival–self-destruction balance of fibrosis-producing myofibroblast cells…

Patients with early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) endure high levels of disability, fatigue and pain, finds a new study that urges doctors to assess them “from a multidisciplinary point of view.” Although a 2011 Canadian study had looked into the the role of pain, fatigue and limited hand function…

Over the past year, Scleroderma News has brought you news on scleroderma therapeutic developments, clinical trials, research, and events. While we look forward to bringing you more news in 2018, we would like to sum up 2017 by bringing you the Top 10 most-read scleroderma stories, reminding you, our readers,…

Throughout 2018, Scleroderma News provided daily coverage of treatment developments, clinical trials, risk factors, and non-pharmacological approaches related to scleroderma. As we look forward to reporting more news to patients, family members, and caregivers dealing with the disease in 2019, here are the 10 most-read articles of 2018, with a…

The first clinical symptom at onset, also called the mode of onset, should be considered a prognostic factor in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), new research shows. The study. “First clinical symptom as a prognostic factor in systemic sclerosis: results of a retrospective nationwide cohort study,”…

Corbus Pharmaceuticals is planning a global Phase 3 trial to assess anabasum (JBT-101) as a treatment for scleroderma. If successful, the company plans to apply to regulatory authorities, asking that anabasum be the first specifically approved treatment for scleroderma. The study, which Corbus calls RESOLVE-1, will enroll 354 patients and largely…

Scleroderma patients with lung diseases have shorter lifespans than those without pulmonary conditions, underscoring the need for better treatments for patients with lung conditions, a Colorado study reports. Another finding was that scleroderma patients with a lung disorder have higher medical costs than those without the condition. That’s particularly true…

An extension of a Phase 2/3 study testing Actemra (tocilizumab) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) found that skin involvement improved with 48 additional weeks of treatment. A Phase 3 trial looking to confirm these results is now underway. Trial results, were published in the study “Safety and…