Emerging treatments for scleroderma/systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs and has significant clinical sequelae. Management of SSc cutaneous disease remains challenging and often is driven by extracutaneous manifestations. Methotrexate is the typical first-line therapy for patients with early progressive cutaneous disease. However, in patients with diffuse progressive skin disease and inflammatory arthritis, methotrexate or rituximab monotherapy should be considered. First-line therapy for patients with concomitant myositis includes methotrexate or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). For patients with both cutaneous findings and interstitial lung disease, studies have suggested the efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil or rituximab. Second-line therapies, including UVA-1 phototherapy, IVIG, or rituximab, can be considered in patients with disease refractory to first-line treatments. Clinical trials investigating the utility of emerging therapies such as abatacept and tocilizumab in the treatment of SSc are under way, and preliminary results are promising. Nonetheless, all patients with SSc benefit from a gentle skin-care regimen to alleviate pruritis, which is a commonly reported symptom. Additional cutaneous manifestations of SSc include telangiectasias, calcinosis cutis, microstomia, and Raynaud’s phenomenon. Telangiectasia may be managed with camouflage techniques, pulse dye laser, and intense pulse light. Calcinosis cutis therapy is guided by the size of the calcium deposits, although treatment options are limited. Mouth augmentation and oral stretching exercises are recommended for patients with reduced oral aperture. Raynaud’s phenomenon is treated with a combination of lifestyle modification and calcium channel blockers, such as amlodipine. Overall, SSc is a clinically heterogenous disease that affects multiple organ systems. Providers should assess extracutaneous involvement and use evidence-based recommendations to select the most appropriate therapy for patients with SSc.