​Genetic data analysis highlights candidates for future trials
Written by Marisa Wexler, MS | March 24, 2026

Through an analysis of genetic data, scientists have identified dozens of existing medications that could potentially be repurposed as treatments for scleroderma, according to a new study.

Potential treatments identified in the analysis include therapies that modulate the activity of estrogen, a female sex hormone, as well as medicines that act on inflammatory pathways or neurotransmitters — signaling molecules that nerve cells use to communicate with each other and the rest of the body.
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Researchers noted that further work is needed to validate these findings, and that the identified drugs are not immediately ready for repurposing, but said their analysis offers a starting point for identifying existing medications that might be explored for scleroderma.
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The study, “Advancing drug development for systemic sclerosis by prioritising findings from human genetic association studies,” was published in Rheumatology.

​It's first biomarker linked to silica and other environmental triggers
Written by Patricia Inácio, PhD | March 17, 2026

​Measuring the blood levels of anti-CD146 antibodies may help identify people with systemic sclerosis (SSc) whose disease is associated with occupational exposure to silica and other mineral dusts, according to a small study.

This is the first biomarker linked to occupational exposure identified in SSc. Detecting these antibodies could help doctors identify patients whose disease may be driven by specific environmental triggers and guide monitoring strategies to detect other occupational diseases linked to those exposures early.
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The study, “Anti-CD146 Autoantibodies: The First Biologic Markers Associated With Occupational Exposure in Systemic Sclerosis,” was published in the journal ACR Open Rheumatology.

But trial testing AISA-021 failed to meet its primary effectiveness measure
Written by Andrea Lobo, PhD | March 10, 2026

Treatment with AISA-021 (cilnidipine), being developed by Aisa Pharma for Raynaud’s phenomenon, safely reduced the frequency and duration of Raynaud’s attacks in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

That’s according to recently reported results from the Phase 2 RECONNOITER-1 trial (ACTRN12621000459820) — data that also showed that the once-daily oral therapy reduced Raynaud’s severity, as well as other SSc symptoms, such as digestive and breathing issues, among patients.

However, the reduction in patient-reported weekly Raynaud’s attacks, which was the trial’s primary efficacy measure, was not statistically significant compared with a placebo, the data show. That means the study did not meet its main goal.

These results were reported in an oral presentation at the 9th World Systemic Sclerosis Congress, held March 5-7 in Athens.

The company intends to discuss these Phase 2 results with regulatory authorities, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. AISA’s goal is to define a Phase 3 clinical study and discuss how to move forward to approve AISA-021 for SSc-related Raynaud’s phenomenon.

“While the Phase 2 study did not reach statistical significance on the primary efficacy endpoint in this small study, we believe the consistent effects observed with AISA-021 across a variety of key endpoints [are] very encouraging,” Andrew Sternlicht, MD, Aisa‘s founder and CEO, said in a company press release detailing the findings.

Per AISA, a patient questionnaire found that more than twice as many participants on the therapy saw a reduction of at least 70% in attack frequency.
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“These encouraging results provide strong support for advancing to Phase 3 studies,” Sternlicht said.

​Baths enriched with CO2 offer low-cost option to boost blood flow in fingers
Written by Andrea Lobo, PhD | March 3, 2026

​Hand baths enriched with carbon dioxide (CO2) — a gas that exists naturally in the atmosphere, and is produced by living things breathing out — can significantly widen blood vessels of the fingers in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc)-associated Raynaud’s phenomenon.

That’s according to a small clinical trial in Germany, which found that warm water hand baths can boost blood flow in the fingers in people with these conditions. By widening tiny blood vessels in the fingers more effectively than warm water alone, the treatment may help ease symptoms that make everyday tasks difficult for these patients, according to the researchers.

“These findings support CO₂ hand baths as a safe, low-cost, non-pharmacological adjunct [treatment],” the scientists wrote, adding that “larger trials with clinical endpoints are warranted.”

Patients interested in trying the therapy should first consult their doctors, but a carbon dioxide hand bath might combine sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and an acid (like citric acid or vinegar) in warm water. The fizzing reaction that results releases carbon dioxide, which can help boost circulation.

​The new study, “Carbon dioxide vs. warm-water hand baths in systemic sclerosis with secondary Raynaud’s syndrome – A capillaroscopy centered randomized controlled trial,” was published in the journal Microvascular Research.

ILD progression rates decline over time in EUSTAR registry
Written by Margarida Maia, PhD | February 24, 2026

​The use of immunosuppressive and combination treatments for interstitial lung disease associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc-ILD) has increased significantly over the past two decades, with more than half of patients now starting treatment at their first evaluation, according to a new study.

Over the same period, rates of ILD progression declined. However, the prognosis for people with SSc-ILD “remains suboptimal,” the researchers wrote, highlighting the need for more effective treatments.
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The study, “Impact of evolving treatment patterns on interstitial lung disease progression in systemic sclerosis using the EUSTAR database,” was published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.