Skin Biopsies Enhance Prediction of Clinical Trajectory in Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To evaluate the relationship of skin fibroblast CD34 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and immune cell infiltration with disease duration in diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc) and identify predictors of improvement.

Methods

Skin biopsies and clinical data were analyzed from patients with dcSSc enrolled in lenabasum (n = 79), belimumab (n = 18), or nilotinib (n = 8) trials. CD34 and α-SMA were scored semiquantitatively. Immune cells (CD20+, CD3+, and CD123+) were counted. Clinical and histologic features were compared between those with early (<18 months) versus later disease (≥18 months). Clinical improvement was defined as >5-point decrease in modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) at 52 weeks. An Akaike's information criterion-optimal multiple logistic regre

SUBMITTER: Lakin KS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12679669 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature