Can a new biomarker help predict the progression of scleroderma?

A recent study published in The Lancet Rheumatology identifies a promising new blood biomarker that might be able to identify those at risk for severe scleroderma. Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune, rheumatic, and chronic disease that affects an estimated 300,000 people in the United States. This disease affects the body by hardening connective tissues and can cause systemic problems in the blood vessels, organs, and digestive tract.

Patients with skin fibrosis spreading above the knees and elbows are categorized as having the diffuse subtype of scleroderma. In this study, the research teams investigated whether a measure of type 1 interferon (IFN)—a group of proteins involved in cell signaling—could serve as a predictive biomarker for poor outcomes in patients with early diffuse cutaneous scleroderma.

Using two patient cohorts (PRESS in the U.S. and STRIKE in the U.K.), the team found that high levels of type 1 IFN scores strongly correlated with poorer lung function, higher disability rates (e.g., chronic joint pain), and increased mortality. More importantly, this correlation held at the time of diagnosis and persisted during follow-up, suggesting that measuring IFN activity could be a powerful predictor of disease severity and progression in patients with early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. These findings have major implications for clinical care. Since lung involvement is the leading cause of death in scleroderma, the ability to identify high-risk patients early through a simple blood test could revolutionize disease management.

Further studies to validate these findings in larger, more diverse populations will require clinical trials where patient participation will be essential. The Autoimmune Registry is resuming its educational Clinical Trials Webinars this year. Our next session will be held on April 29, Tuesday, at 1 pm EST / 10 am PST.  We are currently looking for Celiac patients to join our patient panel Q&A session. Participants will receive a $100 e-gift card for their time. Please reply to this email if you are interested.

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