Active clinical trials for "Scleroderma, Systemic"

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are multipotent cells which carry immunomodulatory, pro-angiogenic and anti-fibrotic properties, that can target Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) pathogenesis and its clinical manifestations. The increasing use of MSC, harvested from bone marrow (MSC(M)), adipose tissue (MSC(AT)), or umbilical cord (MSC(UC)) in a variety of indications, provides consistent evidence supporting their safety in humans. The efficacy of MSC(M) intravenous (IV) injection for treating acute graft versus host disease led to their marketing approval in 2012 and MSC(AT) (Alofisel) were approved for severe Crohn's fistula in 2018. MSC represent a promising therapeutic approach for SSc. We previously a) showed disease-specific abnormalities in MSC(M) from SSc patients, providing strong rationale to use allogeneic MSC to treat SSc patients, b) completed the first phase I/II dose escalation trial using allogenic MSC(M) infusion in 20 severe SSc patients (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02213705, PHRC AOM 11-250) with no safety issues, significant improvement in skin fibrosis at 3 to 6 months after infusion which appeared lower thereafter, thereby supporting the need for repeated infusions. In vitro, experimental and clinical studies suggest that MSC properties vary according to their tissue of origin/source. We demonstrated that compared to MSC(M), MSC(AT) are easier to harvest and display higher proliferative capability before entering senescence, higher genetic stability, and superior immunosuppressive properties. The objective of the present research is the successful production of allogeneic MSC(AT) derived from selected healthy donors, with adequate phenotypic criteria according to the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy. Considering the above rationale, these MSC(AT) will subsequently be used in a Phase I/II randomized clinical trial testing allogeneic MSC(AT) systemic infusion for treatment of severe systemic sclerosis.

Systematic sclerosis (SSc) is a potentially severe disease characterized by various visceral involvements including lung. The investigators hypothesize that a respiratory rehabilitation program specifically designed for people with systematic sclerosis with early lung disease could help to decrease respiratory deficiencies, improve aerobic capacity and prevent activity limitations and participation restrictions. Before testing the effectiveness of such a program, a pilot study is needed to assess its feasibility and optimize its content. Participants will have 1 supervised session in the outpatient rehabilitation department. Each patient will then perform the home personalized exercises program for 3 months. The feasibility of the program will be assessed at 3 months using patients' adherence to the program (assessed by the number of lost to follow-up, the number of questionnaires not completed, the amount of aerobic activity and the amount of home personalized exercises, treatment burden, adverse effects and quality of life.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an auto-immune orphan disease mainly characterized by an alteration of the microvascular network, and by cutaneous and visceral fibrosis. Hands are frequently affected, as a consequence of ischemic phenomena and cutaneous fibrosis. . The injection of adipose autologous tissue is a common practice in plastic surgery, and has been known for over a century. Adipose tissue, originally used to increase volume, is also characterized by trophic properties associated to stromal vascular fraction (SVF), which contain multipotent stem cells, capable of tissue repair. Interestingly, some SVF cells can be angiogenic and anti-inflammatory, which could improve damage seen with SSc. A prior study (the SCLERADEC protocol: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01813279) has already allowed the safety and tolerance at 6 months of the subcutaneous injection of SVF in the fingers of twelve patients to be proven. The encouraging results have encouraged us to propose a trial which would bear on a higher number of patients and include a control group.

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the use of the study drug (Exparel) is safe and effective for treating circulation problems and pain in the hand or fingers.

The Sclero-JAK project aims to assess the impact of a JAK1/2 inhibitor (ruxolitinib) on activation states of monocytes-derived macrophages (MDM) from systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness and safety of the drug Gleevec (imatinib) as a new treatment for patients with active diffuse scleroderma. This drug has not been used previously to treat scleroderma, but it has been found to advance the treatment and life span of patients with a type of leukemia called chronic myeloid leukemia or CML. Gleevec acts on chemical signals in the cells that may decrease fibrosis (the hardening of the skin that occurs in scleroderma). It works by interfering in the process that activates many molecules that cause fibrosis, including TGFbeta (which may be a key part of disease activity in scleroderma). This study proposes to treat patients that have significant diffuse scleroderma with Gleevec for 6 months and investigate several measures of scleroderma disease activity before, during and at the end of treatment (0, 3 months and 6 months). This is a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial: 20 patients will be divided into two groups in a 4:1 ratio, with 16 patients taking 400mg of Gleevec per day and 4 taking a placebo. The differences between the groups that will be measured include safety, Modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), global assessments (100mm VAS) and changes in biomarkers in blood and skin biopsies.

The purpose of this study it to determine whether the use of a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)-agonist (depot-leuprolide acetate) during cyclophosphamide (CYC) therapy in women with rheumatic diseases will provide greater ovarian protection than placebo.

Progressive systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an immune-based disease that causes abnormal connective tissue growth of the skin and internal organs. At this point, there are no effective therapies for treating SSc. Thalidomide is a medication that has been shown to stimulate an immune response that reduces the body's synthesis of collagen, the main component of connective tissue. This study will determine the effectiveness of thalidomide in treating adults with SSc.

The purpose of this investigation is to evaluate the effectiveness of high-dose UVA1 irradiation in the treatment of fibrosing conditions of the skin, e.g., keloid (a thick scar from growth of fibrous tissue), scleroderma (deposits of fibrous tissue in the skin) and acne keloidalis nuchae (keloids on the back of the neck or hairline) old burn scars, granuloma annulare or other similar skin conditions. This UVA1 dosing schedule has been used successfully in Germany for various skin diseases, such as the above mentioned scleroderma.

Systemic scleroderma (SSc) is a rare chronic inflammatory diseae of the connective tissue involving the skin and internal organs. To date there is no proven therapy for the skin fibrosis available. A number of case reports and small uncontrolled cohort studies suggest that UVA1 therapy may improve skin fibrosis. The aim of this study is therefore to investigate whether treatment UVA1 in deed is effective in treating skin fibrosis in SSc using a randomized, intraindividual half body irradiation protocol.