In recent years, many potential antifibrotic treatment strategies have emerged from molecular studies of systemic sclerosis. Few biologicals have already entered clinical trials and these may hopefully prove to be effective in this progressive, profibrotic disease.

Increasing interest in the vascular features of scleroderma has led to the hypothesis that the blood vessel is the major target tissue and that the endothelial cell is the principal cell target. Useful observations stemming from the vascular hypothesis include the use of microvascular abnormalities in the early detection of the patient destined to develop classical scleroderma, the discovery of...

Systemic sclerosis (Scleroderma - SSc) is a connective tissue disorder of unknown aetiology characterized by extensive fibrosis of the skin and visceral organs, by vascular abnormalities and immunological manifestations.Recent evidence suggest that the cellular redox state may play a significant role in the progression of scleroderma fibrosis. Mechanisms involved include an autoamplification ci...

This paper presented a 28-year-old female with systemic sclerosis who developed scleroderma renal crisis and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome following clomiphene administration. Urgent therapy including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and supportive care resulted in regression and eventually resolution of all the clinical and laboratory symptoms. Although scleroderma renal cris...

The papers in this supplement to Rheumatology have addressed current knowledge of the pathogenesis of SSc and its associated complications, alongside practical issues of disease management. As our colleagues illustrate, the last 10 years of partnership and research have ushered in a new era of progress in the field of SSc. The expansion of our understanding of SSc pathophysiology has, in turn, ...