4567Accesses
73Citations
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune disease with a high morbidity and mortality. Skin and organ fibrosis are key manifestations of SSc, for which no generally accepted therapy is available. Thus, there is a high unmet need for novel anti-fibrotic therapeutic strategies in SSc. At the same time, important progress has been made in the identification and characterization of potential molecular targets in fibrotic diseases over the recent years. In this review, we have selected four targeted therapies, which are tested in clinical trials in SSc, for in depths discussion of their preclinical characterization. Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulators such as riociguat might target both vascular remodeling and tissue fibrosis. Blockade of interleukin-6 might be particularly promising for early inflammatory stages of SSc. Inhibition of serotonin receptor 2b signaling links platelet activation to tissue fibrosis. Targeting simultaneously multiple key molecules with the multityrosine kinase-inhibitor nintedanib might be a promising approach in complex fibrotic diseases such as SSc, in which many partially independent pathways are activated. Herein, we also give a state of the art overview of the current classification, clinical presentation, diagnostic approach, and treatment options of localized scleroderma. Finally, we discuss whether the novel targeted therapies currently tested in SSc could be used for localized scleroderma.
This is a preview of subscription content,log in via an institution to check access.
Access this article
Subscribe and save
- Get 10 units per month
- Download Article/Chapter or eBook
- 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
- Cancel anytime
Buy Now
Price includes VAT (Japan)
Instant access to the full article PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
van den Hoogen F et al (2013) 2013 classification criteria for systemic sclerosis: an American college of rheumatology/European league against rheumatism collaborative initiative. Ann Rheum Dis 72(11):1747–1755
Rubio-Rivas M et al (2014) Mortality and survival in systemic sclerosis: systematic review and meta-analysis. Semin Arthritis Rheum 44(2):208–219
Tyndall AJ et al (2010) Causes and risk factors for death in systemic sclerosis: a study from the EULAR Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) database. Ann Rheum Dis 69(10):1809–1815
Kowal-Bielecka O et al (2009) EULAR recommendations for the treatment of systemic sclerosis: a report from the EULAR Scleroderma Trials and Research group (EUSTAR). Ann Rheum Dis 68(5):620–628
Kowal-Bielecka O et al (2015) Update of EULAR recommendations for the treatment of systemic sclerosis. Ann Rheum Dis 74(Suppl 2):90
Beyer C et al (2010) Animal models of systemic sclerosis: prospects and limitations. Arthritis Rheum 62(10):2831–2844
Paul SM et al (2010) How to improve R&D productivity: the pharmaceutical industry’s grand challenge. Nat Rev Drug Discov 9(3):203–214
Jordan S, Chung J, Distler O (2013) Preclinical and translational research to discover potentially effective antifibrotic therapies in systemic sclerosis. Curr Opin Rheumatol 25(6):679–685
Dobrota R, Mihai C, Distler O (2014) Personalized medicine in systemic sclerosis: facts and promises. Curr Rheumatol Rep 16(6):425
Allanore Y, Distler O (2015) Systemic sclerosis in 2014: advances in cohort enrichment shape future of trial design. Nat Rev Rheumatol 11(2):72–74
Stasch JP et al (2001) NO-independent regulatory site on soluble guanylate cyclase. Nature 410(6825):212–215
Gabrielli A, Avvedimento EV, Krieg T (2009) Scleroderma. N Engl J Med 360(19):1989–2003
Ghofrani HA et al (2013) Riociguat for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. N Engl J Med 369(4):330–340
Beyer C et al (2012) Stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase reduces experimental dermal fibrosis. Ann Rheum Dis 71(6):1019–1026
Beyer C et al (2015) Stimulation of the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibits fibrosis by blocking non-canonical TGFbeta signalling. Ann Rheum Dis 74(7):1408–1416
Dees C et al (2015) Stimulators of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibit experimental skin fibrosis of different aetiologies. Ann Rheum Dis 74(8):1621–1625
Masuyama H et al (2009) Pressure-independent effects of pharmacological stimulation of soluble guanylate cyclase on fibrosis in pressure-overloaded rat heart. Hypertens Res 32(7):597–603
Iwamoto N, Distler JH, Distler O (2011) Tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of systemic sclerosis: from animal models to clinical trials. Curr Rheumatol Rep 13(1):21–27
Bournia VK, Evangelou K, Sfikakis PP (2013) Therapeutic inhibition of tyrosine kinases in systemic sclerosis: a review of published experience on the first 108 patients treated with imatinib. Semin Arthritis Rheum 42(4):377–390
Daniels CE et al (2010) Imatinib treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: randomized placebo-controlled trial results. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 181(6):604–610
Hilberg F et al (2008) BIBF 1120: triple angiokinase inhibitor with sustained receptor blockade and good antitumor efficacy. Cancer Res 68(12):4774–4782
Maurer B et al (2014) Vascular endothelial growth factor aggravates fibrosis and vasculopathy in experimental models of systemic sclerosis. Ann Rheum Dis 73(10):1880–1887
Skhirtladze C et al (2008) Src kinases in systemic sclerosis: central roles in fibroblast activation and in skin fibrosis. Arthritis Rheum 58(5):1475–1484
Richeldi L et al (2014) Efficacy and safety of nintedanib in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. N Engl J Med 370(22):2071–2082
Huang J et al (2015) Nintedanib inhibits fibroblast activation and ameliorates fibrosis in preclinical models of systemic sclerosis. Ann Rheum Dis doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-207109
Maurer B, Distler JH, Distler O (2013) The Fra-2 transgenic mouse model of systemic sclerosis. Vasc Pharmacol 58(3):194–201
Pauling JD, O’Donnell VB, McHugh NJ (2013) The contribution of platelets to the pathogenesis of Raynaud’s phenomenon and systemic sclerosis. Platelets 24(7):503–515
Biondi ML et al (1988) Plasma free and intraplatelet serotonin in patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon. Int J Cardiol 19(3):335–339
Herve P et al (1995) Increased plasma serotonin in primary pulmonary hypertension. Am J Med 99(3):249–254
Stachow A, Jablonska S, Skiendzielewska A (1979) Biogenic amines derived from tryptophan in systemic and cutaneous scleroderma. Acta Derm Venereol 59(1):1–5
Dees C et al (2011) Platelet-derived serotonin links vascular disease and tissue fibrosis. J Exp Med 208(5):961–972
Fabre A et al (2008) Modulation of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis by serotonin receptor antagonists in mice. Eur Respir J 32(2):426–436
Hauso O et al (2008) The effect of terguride in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rat. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 233(11):1385–1388
Janssen W et al (2015) 5-HT2B receptor antagonists inhibit fibrosis and protect from RV heart failure. Biomed Res Int 2015:438403
De Lauretis A et al (2013) Serum interleukin 6 is predictive of early functional decline and mortality in interstitial lung disease associated with systemic sclerosis. J Rheumatol 40(4):435–446
Desallais L et al (2014) Targeting IL-6 by both passive or active immunization strategies prevents bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis. Arthritis Res Ther 16(4):R157
Khan K et al (2012) Clinical and pathological significance of interleukin 6 overexpression in systemic sclerosis. Ann Rheum Dis 71(7):1235–1242
Kitaba S et al (2012) Blockade of interleukin-6 receptor alleviates disease in mouse model of scleroderma. Am J Pathol 180(1):165–176
Le Huu D et al (2012) IL-6 blockade attenuates the development of murine sclerodermatous chronic graft-versus-host disease. J Invest Dermatol 132(12):2752–2761
Le TT et al (2014) Blockade of IL-6 Trans signaling attenuates pulmonary fibrosis. J Immunol 193(7):3755–3768
Pedroza M et al (2011) Interleukin-6 contributes to inflammation and remodeling in a model of adenosine mediated lung injury. PLoS One 6(7), e22667
Khanna D et al (2015) Safety and efficacy of subcutaneous tocilizumab in adults with systemic sclerosis: week 48 data from the FASSCINATE trial. Ann Rheum Dis 74(Suppl2):87
Murray KJ, Laxer RM (2002) Scleroderma in children and adolescents. Rheum Dis Clin N Am 28(3):603–624
Peterson LS, Nelson AM, Su WP (1995) Classification of morphea (localized scleroderma). Mayo Clin Proc 70(11):1068–1076
Kreuter A et al (2009) AWMF guideline no. 013/066. Diagnosis and therapy of circumscribed scleroderma. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 7(Suppl 6):S1–S14
Weibel L, Harper JI (2008) Linear morphoea follows Blaschko’s lines. Br J Dermatol 159(1):175–181
Blaszczyk M et al (2003) Progressive facial hemiatrophy: central nervous system involvement and relationship with scleroderma en coup de sabre. J Rheumatol 30(9):1997–2004
Tollefson MM, Witman PM (2007) En coup de sabre morphea and Parry-Romberg syndrome: a retrospective review of 54 patients. J Am Acad Dermatol 56(2):257–263
Zulian F et al (2006) Juvenile localized scleroderma: clinical and epidemiological features in 750 children. An international study. Rheumatology (Oxford) 45(5):614–620
Mertens JS et al (2015) Disease recurrence in localized scleroderma: a retrospective analysis of 344 patients with paediatric- or adult-onset disease. Br J Dermatol 172(3):722–728
Leitenberger JJ et al (2009) Distinct autoimmune syndromes in morphea: a review of 245 adult and pediatric cases. Arch Dermatol 145(5):545–550
Eisendle K, Grabner T, Zelger B (2007) Morphoea: a manifestation of infection with Borrelia species? Br J Dermatol 157(6):1189–1198
Dillon WI, Saed GM, Fivenson DP (1995) Borrelia burgdorferi DNA is undetectable by polymerase chain reaction in skin lesions of morphea, scleroderma, or lichen sclerosus et atrophicus of patients from North America. J Am Acad Dermatol 33(4):617–620
Horger M et al (2008) MRI findings in deep and generalized morphea (localized scleroderma). AJR Am J Roentgenol 190(1):32–39
Kirchgesner T et al (2015) Eosinophilic fasciitis: typical abnormalities, variants and differential diagnosis of fasciae abnormalities using MR imaging. Diagn Interv Imaging 96(4):341–348
Zwischenberger BA, Jacobe HT (2011) A systematic review of morphea treatments and therapeutic algorithm. J Am Acad Dermatol 65(5):925–941
Kroft EB et al (2009) Efficacy of topical tacrolimus 0.1% in active plaque morphea: randomized, double-blind, emollient-controlled pilot study. Am J Clin Dermatol 10(3):181–187
Mancuso G, Berdondini RM (2005) Localized scleroderma: response to occlusive treatment with tacrolimus ointment. Br J Dermatol 152(1):180–182
Stefanaki C et al (2008) Topical tacrolimus 0.1% ointment in the treatment of localized scleroderma. An open label clinical and histological study. J Dermatol 35(11):712–718
Cunningham BB et al (1998) Topical calcipotriene for morphea/linear scleroderma. J Am Acad Dermatol 39(2 Pt 1):211–215
Pope E et al (2011) Topical imiquimod 5% cream for pediatric plaque morphea: a prospective, multiple-baseline, open-label pilot study. Dermatology 223(4):363–369
Kreuter A et al (2006) A randomized controlled study of low-dose UVA1, medium-dose UVA1, and narrowband UVB phototherapy in the treatment of localized scleroderma. J Am Acad Dermatol 54(3):440–447
Gordon Spratt EA et al (2015) Phototherapy, photodynamic therapy and photophoresis in the treatment of connective-tissue diseases: a review. Br J Dermatol 173(1):19–30
Vasquez R et al (2014) Recurrence of morphea after successful ultraviolet A1 phototherapy: a cohort study. J Am Acad Dermatol 70(3):481–488
Fett N, Werth VP (2011)Update on morphea: part II. Outcome measures and treatment. J Am Acad Dermatol 64(2):231–42,quiz 243–4
Joly P et al (1994) Treatment of severe forms of localized scleroderma with oral corticosteroids: follow-up study on 17 patients. Arch Dermatol 130(5):663–664
Zulian F et al (2011) Methotrexate treatment in juvenile localized scleroderma: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arthritis Rheum 63(7):1998–2006
Uziel Y et al (2000) Methotrexate and corticosteroid therapy for pediatric localized scleroderma. J Pediatr 136(1):91–95
Kreuter A et al (2005) Pulsed high-dose corticosteroids combined with low-dose methotrexate in severe localized scleroderma. Arch Dermatol 141(7):847–852
Weibel L et al (2006) Evaluation of methotrexate and corticosteroids for the treatment of localized scleroderma (morphoea) in children. Br J Dermatol 155(5):1013–1020
Neustadter JH et al (2009) Extracorporeal photochemotherapy for generalized deep morphea. Arch Dermatol 145(2):127–130
Pileri A et al (2014) Generalized morphea successfully treated with extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP). Dermatol Online J 20(1):21258
Schlaak M et al (2008) Successful therapy of a patient with therapy recalcitrant generalized bullous scleroderma by extracorporeal photopheresis and mycophenolate mofetil. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 22(5):631–633
Alecu M et al (1998) The interleukin-1, interleukin-2, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha serological levels in localised and systemic sclerosis. Rom J Intern Med 36(3–4):251–259
Ihn H et al (1995) Demonstration of interleukin-2, interleukin-4 and interleukin-6 in sera from patients with localized scleroderma. Arch Dermatol Res 287(2):193–197
Nagaoka T et al (2000) Serum levels of soluble interleukin 6 receptor and soluble gp130 are elevated in patients with localized scleroderma. J Rheumatol 27(8):1917–1921
Zheng XY et al (1998) Expression of platelet-derived growth factor B-chain and platelet-derived growth factor beta-receptor in fibroblasts of scleroderma. J Dermatol Sci 18(2):90–97
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Division of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, Gloriastr. 25, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
Oliver Distler
Division of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Antonio Cozzio
- Oliver Distler
You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
- Antonio Cozzio
You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar
Corresponding author
Correspondence toOliver Distler.
Additional information
This article is a contribution to the Special Issue on Advances in Immunodermatology - Guest Editors: Lars French and Alexander Navarini
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Distler, O., Cozzio, A. Systemic sclerosis and localized scleroderma—current concepts and novel targets for therapy.Semin Immunopathol38, 87–95 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00281-015-0551-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
Share this article
Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:
Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article.
Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative