Novel disease-modifying drugs against skin fibrosis of systemic sclerosis

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) or scleroderma is an autoimmune disorder characterized by tissue fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. The etiology of the skin fibrosis is thought to be thickened dermis due to uncontrolled excessive deposition of various extracellular matrix, mainly type I collagen.Systemic treatments with anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic immunosuppressive properties, such as corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, are usually considered for skin sclerosis of patients with SSc. However, their approach must be initiated at the early stage, before the fibrosis is completed, and the effects of the corticosteroids and immunosuppressants are known to be reduced in the late stages of the sclerosis. Furthermore, various significant adverse effects of these treatments must be considered.This paper discusses the present day understanding of therapeutic options using disease-modifying drugs against skin sclerosis of SSc patients and the possible mechanisms.

Retinal microvasculature alteration in patients with systemic sclerosis and chloroquine treatment

“…Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine are antimalarial drugs, but they have immunosuppressive effects and can be used to treat systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and other rheumatic diseases (6)(7)(8). As a derivative of chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine is more widely used in the clinical treatment of SSc.…”