Novel therapies and innovation for systemic sclerosis skin ulceration

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2022 Dec;36(4):101813. doi: 10.1016/j.berh.2022.101813. Epub 2023 Jan 5.

Abstract

Skin ulceration is an important cause of morbidity in systemic sclerosis and can occur at anytime during disease progression. Incident disease cohorts are important for understanding whether skin ulceration represents active vasculopathy versus resultant damage. Biomarkers for skin ulcer pathogenesis, both serum and imaging, are under investigation to elucidate the functional consequences of the structural abnormalities. Novel therapeutics for the treatment of vasculopathy benefit from reliable biomarkers able to predict the disease evolution remains an important unmet need. Nonetheless, a diagnostic approach that captures early skin ulceration and treatments that restore vascular and immune homeostasis is critical for effective systemic sclerosis (SSc) vasculopathy management.

Keywords: Capillaroscopy; Skin ulcer; Systemic sclerosis; Vasculopathy.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Scleroderma, Systemic* / complications
  • Scleroderma, Systemic* / diagnosis
  • Scleroderma, Systemic* / therapy
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin Ulcer* / etiology
  • Skin Ulcer* / therapy

Substances

  • Biomarkers