The experimental therapy MT-7117 reduces lung inflammation, skin fibrosis (scarring), and blood vessel impairment in a mouse model of systemic sclerosis (SSc), a study found.
“MT-7117 demonstrates disease-modifying effects in preclinical models of SSc,” the researchers wrote. “The results of the present study suggest that MT-7117 is a potential therapeutic agent for SSc.”

Loving relationships have unique challenges when scleroderma is in the mix
by Amy Baker

A person meets their person. If they are lucky, they fall in love. They may or may not get married. Either way, they lovingly pledge for better or for worse, in sickness and in health.
Too often, the vows we speak to one another are taken for granted. We believe things will always be good, fair, and happy in a relationship. We all have our fairytale version of how a relationship should be.

Creative treatments are sometimes the way to handle the phenomenon
by Lisa Weber | September 9, 2022

Fatigue is a common issue for people living with scleroderma. It’s one of the top three symptoms that bothers people living with scleroderma.

What is fatigue? People describe fatigue as feeling tired, mentally exhausted, or physically overwhelmed day after day, no matter how much sleep they’ve had or what they’ve been doing, even if it’s just everyday tasks.

The effects of fatigue can have a significant impact on your pain and can diminish your quality of life.

As a woman with scleroderma I’ve faced many unknowns regarding my body and health over the last 21 years. Every day is a new adventure in my own “series of unfortunate events.”
Since my diagnosis, I’ve restructured my life to make my health a priority and become hyperaware of any potential illnesses or infections. I now stay away from people who are sick, use all-natural products, and avoid touching surfaces such as door handles, railings, and elevator buttons. It may seem ridiculous to some, but this is my new normal now that my immune system is compromised. 

Variants of immune-regulating human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes were associated with the risk of systemic scleroderma, subtypes of the condition, and the presence of self-reactive antibodies, a large-scale genetic analysis showed.
These findings underscored the genetic contribution to the disease and support future investigations into immunological susceptibility and external environmental stimuli that trigger autoimmunity in people with systemic scleroderma, the researchers noted.

​“Your life is controlled by what you focus on.” I read this Tony Robbins quote when I was diagnosed with scleroderma in 2014, and my takeaway was to focus on my strength and will to survive.
I came across this quote again, eight years later. Only this time, I realized I was still putting my disease at the forefront of my life. Each decision was calculated based on how my body would respond. Each choice was made with my diagnosis in mind. Scleroderma was still in control of my life. I was so focused on being one step ahead of it that I didn’t realize I was being smothered by it.