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Current Therapeutic Approaches in Scleroderma: Clinical Models of Effective Antifibrotic Therapies

  • Scleroderma (S Bhattacharyya, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Treatment Options in Rheumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of review

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. In this article, we review some of the current therapeutic approaches used in the treatment of the fibrotic manifestations of SSc.

Recent findings

Methotrexate, mycophenolate, and cyclophosphamide are relatively inexpensive and traditional options. Biologic agents, such as rituximab, tocilizumab, and abatacept, have been evaluated with variable results. The role of novel agents such as nintedanib and pirfenidone is currently being considered,

Summary

In recent years, a more robust evidence base for the use of a variety of immunosuppressive agents has been published offering a wider array of therapeutic options for the fibrotic manifestations of SSc.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Toronto Scleroderma Program, Toronto Western Hospital, Ground Floor, East Wing, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Sindhu R. Johnson MD PhD & Daniel E. Furst MD, MACR

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  1. Sindhu R. Johnson MD PhD
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  2. Daniel E. Furst MD, MACR
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Correspondence to Sindhu R. Johnson MD PhD.

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Conflict of interest

Dr. Johnson is supported by the Gurmej Kaur Dhana Scleroderma Research Award, Scleroderma Association of British Columbia; and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. She has been a site investigator for trials sponsored by Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus, Glaxo Smith Kline, Merk, and Roche. She has been a consultant on advisory boards sponsored by Ikaria and Boehringer Ingelheim.

Dr. Furst has received grant/research support from Corbus, Behring, Galapagos, Gilead, GSK, Kadmon, and Pfizer; and been a consultant for Amgen, Corbus, Galapagos, Gilead, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche/Genentech, Talaris, CSL Behring, and Boehringer Ingelheim.

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Johnson, S.R., Furst, D.E. Current Therapeutic Approaches in Scleroderma: Clinical Models of Effective Antifibrotic Therapies. Curr Treat Options in Rheum 6, 382–393 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40674-020-00164-9

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