Targeting macrophages could be effective in disease prevention written by Marisa Wexler, MS | February 3, 2026

Macrophages, a type of immune cell, may be mainly responsible for driving fibrosis, or scarring, in people with scleroderma, according to new research done in animal models.

“These data suggest that a single cell type, macrophage, may be responsible for inducing scleroderma,” Sanja Arandjelovic, PhD, who co-led the study at the University of Virginia, said in a university news story. “Although more research is needed on understanding whether targeting these cells later during disease progression can reverse the existing tissue damage, our data suggest that macrophage inhibition could be effective in disease prevention in the high-risk patient population.”
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The study, “Macrophages Are Critical Inducers of Bleomycin-Induced Fibrosis in a Systemic Scleroderma Model,” was published in The American Journal of Pathology.

Researchers ID 3 genes that were significantly dysregulated in SSc patients
Written by Steve Bryson, PhD | January 27, 2026

Abnormal fatty acid metabolism may play a role in the development of systemic sclerosis (SSc), according to a gene activity analysis.

Researchers identified three genes involved in fatty acid metabolism that were significantly dysregulated in SSc patients. These changes correlated with markers of fat metabolism and disease complications, including lung involvement, the data suggested.
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These findings indicate that “dysregulated fatty acid metabolism may be implicated in the [development] of SSc,” which may provide “potential targets for metabolic intervention,” researchers wrote in the study, “Expression and clinical significance of fatty acid metabolism–related genes in PBMCs of SSc patients,” which was published in Clinical Rheumatology.

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.
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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.

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.
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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.

Corticosteroid had similar effect on T-cells derived from SSC patients
Written by Andrea Lobo, PhD | December 16, 2025

Dexamethasone, a type of corticosteroid, reduced skin thickening, inflammation, and the activity of genes that induce fibrosis (scarring) in a mouse model of systemic sclerosis (SSc), according to a study.

The study also demonstrated that dexamethasone reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory molecules produced by certain T-cells derived from SSc patients. In SSc, these immune cells can become excessively active, releasing pro-inflammatory molecules that contribute to the development of fibrosis.
“In summary, [dexamethasone] showed immunomodulatory and antifibrotic effects in SSc, evidencing its actions in treating the disease,” researchers wrote.
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The study, “Dexamethasone modulates cytokine and chemokine secretion by CD4 + T cells from SSc patients and exerts antifibrotic effects in HOCl-induced SSc mice,” was published in Inflammopharmacology.

Study finding may show 'growing confidence' in strategy's safety, effectiveness
Written by Andrea Lobo, PhD | December 9, 2025

​Using combination therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) improves survival in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc), according to the results of a large study in Australia.

The study also demonstrated that the choice between a single medication or a combination of therapies did not vary significantly when comparing participants with more or fewer coexisting conditions, or comorbidities, or individuals with or without heart or lung issues.

“The findings are in line with current recommendations from the [World Symposium of Pulmonary Hypertension] to deploy upfront treatment with combination therapy in PAH, regardless of [a patient’s] comorbidity status,” the researchers wrote. “This prescribing pattern may reflect growing confidence in the safety and efficacy of combination therapy.”
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Titled “Impact of Comorbidities on Treatments and Outcomes of Systemic Sclerosis–Associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension,” the study was published in the Canadian Respiratory Journal.

Study: Biggest benefits seem when drugs started simultaneously, after short gap by Patricia Inácio, PhD | December 2, 2025

Combining rituximab and mycophenolate mofetil was significantly more effective than using either drug alone at reducing skin thickness and improving lung function after one year in people with systemic sclerosis (SSc), according to a large French study.

The safety profile of the combination therapy was similar to that of either drug alone. The greatest benefits were observed when both therapies were started simultaneously or after a short gap.

These findings support the need for additional studies assessing the combo therapy as a first-line treatment in SSc, researchers said.
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The study, “Evaluation of the mycophenolate mofetil–rituximab combination in systemic sclerosis: a French retrospective multicenter study (MycRiSSc),” was published in the Journal of Autoimmunity.

Difficulty getting to sleep has been the worst side effect of mycophenolate by Tomisa Starr | November 26, 2025

​Note: This column describes the author’s own experiences with mycophenolate. Not everyone will have the same response to treatment. Consult your doctor before starting or stopping a therapy.

I’ve been taking mycophenolate for nine months now. An immunosuppressant, it is used to treat interstitial lung disease and scleroderma.

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that’s caused by an overactive immune response. Immunosuppressants help dampen the immune system, which can slow disease progression and help prevent the damage that scleroderma causes. But treatment must begin early, before organ involvement becomes advanced, as untreated scleroderma can result in damage to the lungs, heart, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract.
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I went without immunosuppressant therapy until this year, after being diagnosed with scleroderma in 1993, because insurance maintained that there was no medical necessity for treatment. By the time I was able to access an immunosuppressant, I had developed lung and gastrointestinal involvement.
The medication seems to be really helping my symptoms, but I have experienced some side effects from it, namely intestinal upset and difficulty sleeping. It’s the difficulty sleeping that has really bothered me.