Systemic Sclerosis: State of the Art and Future Directions
A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Dermatology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 12 June 2026 | Viewed by 11
Special Issue Editors
Interests: systemic sclerosis; autoimmune diseases; immunology; vascular medicine; internal medicine; cardiovascular risk; cardiovascular diseases
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease principally characterized by the triad of immune dysregulation, microangiopathy, and fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. SSc represents one of the most challenging diseases into the rheumatological and immunological scenario, still accounting for several limitations in effective treatment options.
This Special Issue, "Systemic Sclerosis: State of the Art and Future Directions", aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current therapeutic, clinical, and pathophysiological landscape in systemic sclerosis (SSc) research. In addition to summarizing the present state of the field, we seek to highlight recent clinical developments and evolving treatment strategies. We especially welcome contributions focused on the early stages of the disease and anticipated future clinical trajectories. Manuscripts addressing advanced care strategies, organ-specific and vascular involvement, and emerging challenges in disease management are encouraged. Furthermore, we invite insights into comorbidities and patient-centered perspectives, which are critical to a holistic understanding of SSc.
Ultimately, this Special Issue aspires to consolidate scientific efforts and offer a thorough synthesis of current knowledge while also identifying areas of unmet need and emerging directions in SSc research. Submissions may cover a range of topics, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Pathophysiological Mechanisms: Insights into the underlying drivers of fibrosis, immune dysregulation, and vascular pathology in systemic sclerosis.
- Early Diagnosis and Disease Onset: Emerging biomarkers and diagnostic tools aimed at identifying SSc in its earliest stages.
- Clinical Subtypes and Stratification: Characterization of disease phenotypes to inform risk assessment and guide personalized therapeutic approaches.
- Therapeutic Advances: Updates on targeted therapies, including biologics and immunomodulatory agents, as well as integrative and non-pharmacological management strategies.
- Long-Term Management and Patient Outcomes: Strategies for addressing disease progression, organ-specific complications, and quality of life in long-term care.
- Future Directions in Research: Exploration of innovative treatment modalities, precision medicine, and translational approaches to improve clinical trajectories.
Dr. Antonino Mazzone
Dr. Paola Maria Luigia Faggioli
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- systemic sclerosis
- current knowledge
- advanced knowledge
- vasculopathy
- interstitial lung disease
- pulmonary arterial hypertension
- perspectives
- novelties
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