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Diseases » Scleroderma » Research

Cure Research for Scleroderma

Curable Types of Scleroderma

Possibly curable or rare types of Scleroderma include:

Rare Types of Scleroderma:

Some rare types of Scleroderma include:

Pericardial effusion associated with scleroderma
Erectile dysfunction associated with scleroderma
Hypothyroidism associated with scleroderma
more rare types...»

Treatments for Scleroderma

Treatments to consider for Scleroderma may include:

See also treatment of Raynaud's disease
Treatments for various symptoms of scleroderma
Treatments for various complications of scleroderma
more treatments...»

Cure Research discussion for Scleroderma:

Handout on Health Scleroderma: NIAMS (Excerpt)

Research advances in recent years that have led to a better understanding of and/or treatment for the diseases include:

The use of a hormone produced in pregnancy to soften skin lesions. Early studies suggest relaxin, a hormone that helps a woman's body to stretch to meet the demands of a growing pregnancy and delivery, may soften the connective tissues of women with scleroderma. The hormone is believed to work by blocking fibrosis, or the development of fibrous tissue between the body's cells.
Finding a gene associated with scleroderma in Oklahoma Choctaw Native Americans. Scientists believe the gene, which codes for a protein called fibrillin-1, may put people at risk for the disease.
The use of the drug Iloprost for pulmonary hypertension. This drug has increased the quality of life and life expectancy for people with this dangerous form of lung damage.
The use of the drug cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan) for lung fibrosis. One recent study suggested that treating lung problems early with this immunosuppressive drug may help prevent further damage and increase chances of survival.
The increased use of ACE inhibitors for scleroderma-related kidney problems. For the past two decades, ACE inhibitors have greatly reduced the risk of kidney failure in people with scleroderma. Now there is evidence that use of ACE inhibitors can actually heal the kidneys of people on dialysis for scleroderma-related kidney failure. As many as half of people who continue ACE inhibitors while on dialysis may be able to go off dialysis in 12 to 18 months.

Other studies are examining the following:

Changes in the tiny blood vessels of people with scleroderma. By studying these changes, scientists hope to find the cause of cold sensitivity in Raynaud's phenomenon and how to control the problem.
Immune system changes (and particularly how those changes affect the lungs) in people with early diffuse systemic sclerosis.
The role of blood vessel malfunction, cell death, and autoimmunity in scleroderma.
Skin changes in laboratory mice in which a genetic defect prevents the breakdown of collagen, leading to thick skin and patchy hair loss. Scientists hope that by studying these mice, they can answer many questions about skin changes in scleroderma.
The effectiveness of various treatments, including (1) methotrexate, a drug commonly used for rheumatoid arthritis and some other inflammatory forms of arthritis; (2) collagen peptides administered orally; (3) halofugione, a drug that inhibits the synthesis of type I collagen, which is the primary component of connective tissue; (4) ultraviolet light therapy for localized forms of scleroderma; and (5) stem cell transfusions, a form of bone marrow transplant that uses a patient's own cells, for early diffuse systemic sclerosis.

Scleroderma research continues to advance as scientists and doctors learn more about how the disease develops and its underlying mechanisms.

Recently, the NIAMS funded a Specialized Center of Research (SCOR) in scleroderma at the University of Texas-Houston. SCOR scientists are conducting laboratory and clinical research on the disease. The SCOR approach allows researchers to translate basic science findings quickly into improved treatment and patient care. (Source: excerpt from Handout on Health Scleroderma: NIAMS)

Questions and Answers About Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases: NIAMS (Excerpt)

Current studies on scleroderma are focusing on three areas of the disease: overproduction of collagen, blood vessel injury, and abnormal immune system activity. Researchers hope to discover how these three elements interact with each other to cause and promote scleroderma. In one recent study, researchers found evidence of fetal cells within the blood and skin lesions of women who had been pregnant years before developing scleroderma. The study suggests that fetal cells may play a role in scleroderma by maturing immune cells that promote the overproduction of collagen. Scientists are continuing to study the implications of this finding. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers About Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases: NIAMS)