World Scleroderma Day: new treatments in development hold promise for patients, says GlobalData

World Scleroderma Day occurs every year on June 29, and the goal is to raise awareness about the disease, symptoms, and treatments. Scleroderma is a rare, progressive, and chronic autoimmune connective tissue disorder that causes excess collagen accumulation. The course of the disease can vary from individual to individual, ranging from minor nuisance symptoms to a severe, multifaceted disease. While there are currently some treatment options available to patients, there are also experimental treatments being developed, according to GlobalData.

Scleroderma is largely characterised by the thickening of skin and fibrosis across multiple organs. It can affect blood vessels and tissue throughout the body and lead to symptoms such as fatigue, arthralgia, myalgia, and the Raynaud phenomenon. Scleroderma can impact various parts of the body, including the skin, lungs, heart, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. At present, there are three approved treatments for scleroderma, including bosentan, nintedanib, and tocilizumab.

Alexandra Murdoch, Senior Medical Analyst at GlobalData, states, “While there are approved treatments to help manage the symptoms of scleroderma, there is no cure. There are more treatment options in the pipeline, but patient lifestyle can also have an impact on how the disease impacts them.”

Lifestyle choices can have a big impact on overall health and chronic disease prevention. Diet and physical activity can support normal growth, development and ageing, and aid in maintaining a healthy body weight. Malnutrition is a common symptom in scleroderma patients, and can be a result of poor eating habits or diminished nutrient absorption due to gastrointestinal complications.

In addition to lifestyle changes, there are experimental treatments currently in development for scleroderma. One potential treatment currently in the pipeline is CM-101 by Chemomab Therapeutics, a first-in-class humanised monoclonal antibody. Additionally, Paracrine has received FDA approval to conduct a pivotal trial using adipose-derived regenerative cells for the treatment of hand dysfunction in patients with diffuse cutaneous scleroderma.

“In addition to the various treatments to manage scleroderma symptoms, like any disease, early diagnosis is an important factor. Having a diagnosis means patients are able to begin treatment and lifestyle changes that will ultimately help manage pain and symptoms,” adds Murdoch.

To diagnose scleroderma, there are several physical and diagnostic tests. Physical examinations can be done to help reveal characteristic signs of the disease, such as thickening of the skin, especially in the face and hands. Diagnostic tests that are needed include blood tests, skin biopsy, imaging, lung function tests, and nail fold capillaroscopy.

Understanding the symptoms and treatment options is an important part of World Scleroderma Day, and raising awareness will help people know when to seek medical care and that treatment options are available.