News

Researchers have found links between several heavy metals and scleroderma, a discovery that prompted them to encourage doctors to check whether their patients had occupational exposure to heavy metals. Interestingly, some metals were associated more with male scleroderma patients and some with females. The study, “Systemic sclerosis and…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Cytori Therapeutics Small Business status for fiscal year 2017, which means Cytori will pay reduced fees for regulatory filings that may arise from initiatives like the Phase 3 trial of its Habeo Cell Therapy for hand dysfunction and Raynaud’s phenomenon associated with scleroderma.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients face significant bodily and social restrictions that undermine their self-image and confidence, and uncertainties about the disease’s cause and prognosis undercut their confidence in their care, according to the a study of patient perceptions. Researchers hope that the data collected for their study — “It’s Not…

Many scleroderma patients show an “excellent” response to a kidney transplant and such surgery should be considered for those with end-stage kidney disease, a study exploring the procedure found. But its researchers also noted that scleroderma patients with lung involvement were the most likely to die after a kidney transplant, indicating that lung health need be included…

Despite differing reports within the scientific community, a new study confirms that serum levels of the TGF-β1 cytokine are significantly higher in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Cytokines are small proteins secreted by certain cells of the immune system that impact other cells. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a…

If my body were featured in a circus sideshow attraction (that’s every woman’s fantasy, right?), the announcer might exclaim, “Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages, come see the spotted lady with the world’s skinniest limbs and largest belly!” I am covered with red and purple splotches…

The European Commission (EC) has designated Corbus Pharmaceuticals’ product Resunab (JBT-101) an Orphan Drug for the potential treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Orphan Drug status is attributed to therapeutic drugs intended to prevent and treat rare life-threatening or chronically debilitating conditions that affect no more than five in 10,000 people, and…

Levels of the cytokine CXCl4 in the bloodstream drop sharply in response to immunosuppressive therapy, and are associated with improved lung function in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), a study shows. The research, “Changes in plasma CXCL4 levels are associated with improvements in lung function…

Cytori Therapeutics will expand the development of its ECCS-50 scleroderma treatment to include secondary Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP), under the brand Habeo Cell Therapy. “Habeo … means ‘to hold’ in Latin,” John Harris, vice president and general manager of Cytori Cell Therapy, said in a press release. “The name…

Frequent cough, which commonly occurs in lung disease related to scleroderma correlates both with the presence and severity of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD – a chronic digestive disease where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus), and interstitial lung disease (ILD – a condition characterized by the progressive scarring of the lung tissue between the air sacs), suggests a study published in the medical journal Chest.