Recent Advances in Diagnosis and Management of Systemic Sclerosis

Dear Colleagues, 

Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by immunological, vascular, and fibrotic changes. The pathogenesis is still unclear and several mechanisms seem to be involved. These different pathogenetic pathways reflect the different stages of the disease and the variety of clinical manifestations.

More recently, molecular stratification studies have further assessed the presence of different subtypes of SSc with different treatment outcomes. In fact, despite recent therapeutic advances, SSc prognosis for some complications, such as interstitial lung disease, remains poor.

Finding molecular and/or clinical biomarkers to reach an early diagnosis and assess new risks factors for the different clinical symptoms is essential to managing this pleomorphic disease. At the same time, new biomarkers could be used as new therapeutic targets.

Precision medicine will allow designing a tailored therapy, according to the phase of the disease and the main clinical manifestations.

This issue aims to shed a light on the mechanisms underlying the onset and the progression of this rare disease, which may be useful for the development of new diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers and/or new therapeutic targets. Original research articles and reviews are equally welcome and may include clinical, translational, and experimental research studies on different cell types and disease models.

Dr. Katia Stefanantoni
Dr. Tania Colasanti
Guest Editors

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