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Study finds treatment may help reduce skin scarring in patients Written by Marisa Wexler, MS | January 20, 2026  Carbon dioxide ablative fractional laser (CO2-AFL) therapy, a treatment that’s long been used to remove wrinkles, may help reduce skin scarring in people with localized scleroderma, according to a new study.
“Overall, CO2-AFL treatment appears to have good therapeutic effects in patients with [localized scleroderma], especially patients who are unresponsive to conventional treatments. Furthermore, most of the adverse effects related to this treatment were mild and manageable, indicating the favorable safety profile of CO2-AFL treatment,” researchers wrote. The study, “Efficacy and Safety of Ablative Fractional CO2 Laser Therapy for Localized Scleroderma: A Comprehensive Bench-to-Bedside Approach,” was published in Dermatologic Therapy. JOIN UP NOW FOR CLINICAL TRIALS IN BIRTINYA, SUNSHINE COAST  If you are aged between 18 and 75 years old and have had a confirmed diagnosis of Sjögren’s disease for at least three months, you may be eligible for the study of an investigational eye drop which may relieve dry eye signs and symptoms. Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects over 270,000 Australians, many of whom may be undiagnosed. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s moisture-producing glands, resulting in symptoms such as dry eyes, dry mouth, fatigue, and joint pain. The condition can significantly affect daily life. Since current treatments are not effective for everyone, ongoing research is essential to develop better therapeutic options. We are seeking applications from people who: are aged 18 to 75 years of age have had a medical diagnosis of Sjögren’s disease for at least 3 months have chronic dry eyes and are using daily lubricant eye drops are willing to stop using any other eye drops except the study eye drop mediation and very limited use of artificial tears for the duration of the trial can attend at least 4 visits at our Birtinya clinic and 1 phone call over approximately 8 weeks. Eligible participants will be reimbursed for their time on the trial. To register your interest, please click on the APPLY NOW button and review the application form. Study links antibody levels with pain, physical limits, and disease burden Written by Patricia Inácio, PhD | January 13, 2026  Lower blood levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), an antibody measured through routine blood tests, were linked to poorer health-related quality of life in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc), including greater pain, reduced physical function, and higher overall disease burden, a study reports.
These findings suggest that blood IgG levels could serve as a “reliable biomarker of patient-perceived disease burden,” the researchers wrote, an area where reliable measures have long been lacking. The study, “Lower total serum Immunoglobulin G is associated with impaired patient-reported health-related quality of life in systemic sclerosis: a prospective cross-sectional study,” was published in Rheumatology International. Study suggests isolated anti-SSA antibodies could help guide closer monitoring Written by Andrea Lobo, PhD | January 6, 2026  Having anti-SSA antibodies, without other common scleroderma-related antibodies present, is linked to shorter survival and faster disease progression in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc), according to a recent study from Japan.
“These findings support the inclusion of anti-SSA in routine serologic [blood] assessment and underscore the potential utility of ‘isolated’ anti-SSA seropositivity as a marker of higher-risk [scleroderma],” the researchers wrote. The study, “Isolated Anti-SS-A Antibody Seropositivity as a Poor Prognostic Factor in Systemic Sclerosis: Insights From a Cohort of 307 Cases,” was published in The Journal of Dermatology. |
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