Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Anti-Nuclear Antibody Screening Using HEp-2 Cells
13:01

Anti-Nuclear Antibody Screening Using HEp-2 Cells

Published on: June 23, 2014

Anti-inflammatory: new trends in the treatment of the patient with systemic sclerosis

Gabriele Valentini1, Marco Matucci Cerinic

  • 1Second University of Naples, Rheumatology Unit, Via Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy. gabriele.valentini@unina2.it

Expert Opinion on Emerging Drugs
|June 10, 2008
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Systemic sclerosis treatment is challenging due to limited proven therapies. Recent advancements show some drugs can manage manifestations, with new pathways offering future hope.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Immunology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Systemic sclerosis treatment presents significant challenges owing to a lack of definitive disease-modifying drugs.
  • Current therapeutic strategies primarily focus on managing individual disease manifestations rather than altering the overall disease course.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current treatment guidelines for systemic sclerosis.
  • To explore emerging therapeutic perspectives driven by new drug availability and novel pathway discoveries.

Main Methods:

  • Statements on current treatment are derived from recent European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) recommendations.
  • Perspectives on future developments are based on the authors' expert opinions on emerging research topics.

Main Results:

  • Recent years have seen improvements in systemic sclerosis management, with several drugs demonstrating efficacy in targeting specific disease manifestations.
  • The identification of previously unrecognized molecular pathways involved in systemic sclerosis pathogenesis is a key development.

Conclusions:

  • While a definitive cure remains elusive, current treatments can effectively manage systemic sclerosis symptoms.
  • Understanding novel pathways offers promising avenues for developing more targeted and effective future therapies for systemic sclerosis.

Related Concept Videos

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF01:24

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira),...
Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs01:25

Antiasthma Drugs: Mast Cell Stabilizers and Anti-IgE Drugs

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition for which new therapeutic avenues, including anti-inflammatory drugs like mast cell stabilizers and anti-IgE treatments, continue to be developed.
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn (also known as sodium cromoglycate) and nedocromil (Tilade), are effective drugs in asthma management. These stabilizers hinder histamine release by skillfully obstructing the activation of mast cells and other cellular entities. Notably, they navigate this task without...
Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment01:20

Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment

Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular transmission disorder characterized by weakness and increased fatigability of skeletal muscles. It is an autoimmune disease affecting approximately one in 2000 people, where antibodies against the α1 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are produced.
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which leads...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management01:29

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management

Upon diagnosis, managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) involves addressing several crucial aspects. The primary goals include resting the bowel, correcting malnutrition, and providing symptomatic relief. Resting the bowel may consist of medications to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Correcting malnutrition is essential, often requiring dietary adjustments and nutritional supplements. Symptomatic relief aims to ease pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts in IBD.
Pharmacologic...
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease...
Myocarditis III: Medical Management01:14

Myocarditis III: Medical Management

Myocarditis: Comprehensive Medical ManagementMyocarditis, the heart muscle inflammation, requires a comprehensive medical management strategy that addresses the underlying cause, provides supportive care, manages symptoms, and reduces cardiac workload.Infections and Autoimmune CausesAdminister appropriate antimicrobial therapy when an infectious agent causes myocarditis. For instance, penicillin treats infections caused by Group A Streptococcus. In cases where autoimmune processes are...