News

Researchers found that increased levels of Th-17 cytokines are associated with interstitial lung disease in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Targeting this group of cytokines may improve lung inflammation and halt the progression of lung fibrosis. Cytokines are small secreted proteins released by the immune system. They are cell-signaling molecules…

Problems with the esophagus that result in difficulties with swallowing, or regurgitation and heartburn, typically affect “only one-third” of scleroderma patients, a study reported. But in those with these difficulties, quality of life is impacted. The study, “Esophageal Motor Abnormalities in Patients With Scleroderma: Heterogeneity, Risk Factors, and Effects on Quality of…

Samumed has recently presented promising results on investigative product SM04755, a small molecule that modulates cells’ Wnt pathway, showing the drug’s potential use as a treatment for scleroderma. Samumed, a pharmaceutical company focused on regenerative medicine and oncology applications, is encouraged by the results and expects to expand its ongoing clinical trials testing…

Corbus Pharmaceuticals’ experimental therapy Resunab (JBT-101) shows promise in a clinical trial for the treatment of diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (SSc). The results come from a Phase 2 trial (NCT02465437) which evaluated the safety and effectiveness of Resunab in 27 SSc patients, compared to placebo treatment in 15 patients.

Intravenous administration of iloprost may stabilize and improve symptoms of dysfunctional cardiopulmonary and blood vessel activity in patients with systemic sclerosis, possibly halting disease progression, according to new research. The study, “Long-Term Clinical Stabilization Of Scleroderma Patients Treated With A Chronic And Intensive IV Iloprost Regimen,” was published in…

A new topical medicine, called SM04755, significantly decreased and even reversed fibrosis and inflammation in in vitro and in vivo mouse studies of scleroderma. These results suggest SM04755 is a potential topical medicine for scleroderma patients. The study, “Discovery of a Small Molecule Inhibitor of the Wnt Pathway (SM04755) As a Potential Topical…

Stimulating skin fat stem cells eased skin fibrosis in a scleroderma mouse model, suggesting the treatment may be an option for patients. Injections of such cells are already being tested in scleroderma, and the new finding could be a way of improving cell survival after injection. The study, “Dendritic cells…

Treating patients with drug resistant progressive scleroderma with a combination of immunotherapy and umbilical chord derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could improve their condition according to a study reporting the case of two patients, and published in the journal Stem Cell Investigation.

Preliminary data of Cytori Therapeutics’ STAR Phase 3 trial (NCT02396238) demonstrated that the company’s adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs) are feasible for the treatment of patients with scleroderma-caused hand dysfunction. The data will be presented in a poster at the Annual Meeting of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/AHRP…

Two approved treatments for pulmonary arterial hypertension — Tracleer (bosentan) and Opsumit (macitentan) — can block a molecular pathway that promotes fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc), and may be a potential therapy for these patients as well, according to an early study. The study, “Bosentan And Macitentan Prevent The Endothelial-To-Mesenchymal Transition (Endomt)…