Topical sodium thiosulfate for calcinosis cutis associated with autoimmune connective tissue diseases: the Mayo Clinic experience, 2012-2017

Treatment of Calcinosis in Dermatomyositis-Case Report and Review

Background/Objectives: Calcinosis cutis (CC) is a condition that may develop in the course of several autoimmune connective tissue diseases (ACTDs). Among these, the conditions most frequently associated with CC are systemic sclerosis (SSc) and dermatomyositis (DM). Despite both the prevalence and diversity of available treatment options, therapeutic recommendations remain not fully established due to a limited number of studies and lack of unambiguous evidence regarding their effectiveness. Case Presentation: We report two cases of patients with DM and concomitant massive cutaneous calcifications who were treated: in the case of a 71-year-old man with DM and past medical history of primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) who received intralesional (IL) 25% sodium thiosulfate (STS) with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and, in the case of a second patient, 24-year-old woman with nephrolithiasis, who received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions at a dose of 2 g/kg in combination with prednisone at a dose of 5 mg/day. Conclusions: The applied treatment led to reduction in pain, size, and number of calcified lesions. Additionally, healing of fingertip ulcers after PRP injections was observed. While this report highlights only two isolated cases, the use of IVIG and STS with PRP injections appears to be an effective treatment method. Nevertheless, both standardization and additional research are required.

Treatment of calcinosis cutis associated with autoimmune connective tissue diseases

Calcinosis cutis is a condition that is commonly associated with autoimmune connective tissue diseases. It is characterized by the deposition of insoluble calcium salts in the skin and subcutaneous tissue, which can cause pain, impair function, and have significant impacts on quality of life. Calcinosis cutis is difficult to manage because there is no generally accepted treatment: evidence supporting treatments is mostly comprised of case reports and case series, sometimes yielding mixed findings. Both pharmacologic and procedural interventions have been proposed to improve calcinosis cutis, and each may be suited to different clinical scenarios. This review summarizes current treatment options for calcinosis cutis, with discussion of recommendations based on patient-specific factors and disease severity.

A rare form of calcinosis in patients with systemic sclerosis-myositis overlap: report of four cases

Objectives

Calcinosis is a well-described entity that occurs in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and dermatomyositis (DM). Calcinosis in SSc typically occurs over pressure points and is usually nodular. We present a case series of four patients with SSc with a much rarer, diffuse form of calcinosis to illustrate this poorly recognized pattern of extensive and debilitating disease.

Methods

Four patients with SSc and extensive calcinosis were identified from patients attending a tertiary rheumatology centre in the preceding 3 years. Their electronic case notes, radiographic images and medical photographs were reviewed.

Results

All four patients had the diffuse cutaneous subtype of SSc (dcSSc) and additionally a myositis overlap. This was in the context of 102 of 461 (22%) patients with SSc whose clinical details had been recorded in the preceding 3 years having dcSSc. Their ages at diagnosis ranged from 27 to 65 years. Three were female, two were anti-Scl70 antibody positive, and two were anti-PMScl antibody positive. Development of calcinosis occurred between 1 and 6 years after onset of SSc. Plain radiography showed very extensive calcinosis in various sites, distributed in a pattern akin to sheets of calcium-containing deposits in the skin and subcutaneous tissue.

Conclusions

Although calcinosis is common in SSc, extensive sheet-like calcinosis is very rare. Our experience suggests that when this form of calcinosis does occur, this is in the context of the diffuse cutaneous subtype of disease and with myositis overlap. The four cases described should raise awareness of this unusual and extensive pattern of disease.

Effectiveness of topical sodium thiosulfate for ectopic calcifications and ossifications. Results of the CATSS-O study

INTRODUCTION

Ectopic calcifications (ECs) and heterotopic ossifications (HOs) form in non-mineralized tissues, most often in subcutaneous and muscular areas. Local and systemic complications can cause severe disability. Systemic administration of sodium thiosulfate (STS) gives promising results but is difficult to use in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of topical STS in ECs and HOs.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of the CATSS-O registry that included patients receiving topical STS 25 % prepared by the pharmacy of Limoges hospital during 2014-2020. The efficacy of STS was assessed by imaging (radiography or CT) after at least 6 months' treatment.

RESULTS

Among 126 patients who received STS 25 %, 35 had complete clinical and radiographic data for analysis (28 with ECs and 7 with HOs; 18 children [mean age 8.9 years, range 1.5-16], 17 adults [mean age 52.4 years, range 24-90]). Calcifications or ossifications were due to dermatomyositis (8 children, 6 adults), systemic scleroderma (6 adults) or pseudo-hypoparathyroidism 1A (7 children). They were single (37.1 %) or multiple (62.9 %). Treated regions were in the lower limbs (31.4 %), upper limbs (37.1 %) or both (28.6 %) and the axial region (2.9 %). Topical STS was clinically effective in 9/28 (32.1 %) patients with ECs and 2/7 (28.6 %) children with HOs. Three patients experienced complete disappearance of their calcifications. Response for ECs was better in children than adults (54.5% vs 17.6 %, p = 0.035). Topical STS was well tolerated.

CONCLUSION

Local STS seems effective for ossifications, particularly pediatric calcifications or ossifications. Randomized and experimental studies are needed to confirm this observation and to identify the underlying mechanisms.

Calcinosis in systemic sclerosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To provide updated information on the prevalence, pathogenesis, diagnostics, and therapeutics of calcinosis cutis associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

RECENT FINDINGS

Observational studies show ethnic and geographical differences in the prevalence of calcinosis. In addition to clinical and serological associations, biochemical studies and in-vivo models have attempted to explain theories behind its pathogenesis, including prolonged state of inflammation, mechanical stress, hypoxia, and dysregulation in bone and phosphate metabolism. Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors may increase the risk for calcinosis in SSc. Few single center observational studies have shown mild benefit with minocycline and topical sodium thiosulfate.

SUMMARY

Calcinosis cutis is the deposition of insoluble calcium in the skin and subcutaneous tissues. It affects up to 40% of SSc patients and causes significant morbidity. Long disease duration, features of vascular dysfunction, and osteoporosis have been associated with calcinosis. Altered levels of inorganic pyrophosphate and fibroblast growth factor-23 have been implicated in dysregulated phosphate metabolism that may lead to calcinosis in SSc. Plain radiography can help with diagnosis and quantifying the calcinosis burden. Surgical treatment remains the most effective therapy when feasible. At present, no medical therapies have proven efficacy in large randomized controlled trials.

Calcinosis Cutis and Calciphylaxis in Autoimmune Connective Tissue Diseases

Calcinosis represents a severe complication of several autoimmune disorders. Soft-tissue calcifications have been classified into five major types: dystrophic, metastatic, idiopathic, iatrogenic, and calciphylaxis. Autoimmune diseases are usually associated with dystrophic calcifications, including calcinosis cutis, occurring in damaged or devitalized tissues in the presence of normal serum levels of calcium and phosphate. In particular, calcinosis cutis has been described in dermatomyositis, polymyositis, juvenile dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, primary Sjögren's syndrome, overlap syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. Calciphylaxis, a severe and life-threatening syndrome presenting with vascular calcifications and thrombosis, has also been associated with some autoimmune conditions. Due to the potentially disabling character of calcinosis cutis and calciphylaxis, physicians' awareness about the clinical presentation and management of these diseases should be increased to select the most appropriate treatment option and avoid long-term complications. In this review, we aim to analyze the clinical features of calcinosis cutis and calciphylaxis associated with autoimmune diseases, and the main treatment strategies evaluated up to now for treating this potentially disabling disease.

Diagnosis and management of systemic sclerosis-related calcinosis

INTRODUCTION

Calcinosis is common in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and refers to the sub-epidermal deposition of calcium salts in the skin. SSc-related calcinosis is associated with significant morbidity, including through cutaneous ulceration and predisposition to become infected.

AREAS COVERED

After briefly addressing aetiopathogenesis, we describe the clinical burden of SSc-associated calcinosis and provide a structured and practical clinical approach to diagnosis and assessment, including discussion of the role of different imaging modalities. The multi-faceted treatment of SSc-associated calcinosis is presented under three broad headings of 'general measures,' and 'medical treatment' and 'surgical treatment.' We adopted a narrative approach to identify relevant manuscripts to inform our review.

EXPERT OPINION

SSc-related calcinosis is an area of major unmet clinical need and for too long has been a neglected area of research. Safe and effective treatments are badly needed to improve patient quality of life and outcomes. To facilitate future clinical trials, we require increased understanding of pathogenesis (to inform selection of potential targeted therapies) and reliable outcome measures, including those which will measure the impact and severity of calcinosis from the patient perspective. International collaborative research is ongoing to develop outcome measures and treatments for this potentially devastating complication of SSc.

Tofacitinib Is an Effective Treatment for Refractory Scleromyositis Associated With Anti-PM/Scl

Scleromyositis is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by overlapping scleroderma and myositis. This case report discusses the presentation and management of a 28-year-old male with scleromyositis presenting with myositis, arthritis, Raynaud's phenomenon, refractory calcinosis, interstitial lung disease, and myocarditis. This case highlights key points in the systematic approach to immunosuppressive treatment and proposes a novel therapeutic option.

Calcinosis in systemic sclerosis

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this study was to provide updated information on the prevalence, pathogenesis, diagnostics and therapeutics of calcinosis cutis associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc).

RECENT FINDINGS

Observational studies show ethnic and geographical differences in the prevalence of calcinosis. In addition to clinical and serological associations, biochemical studies and in-vivo models have attempted to explain theories behind its pathogenesis, including prolonged state of inflammation, mechanical stress, hypoxia and dysregulation in bone and phosphate metabolism. Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors may increase the risk for calcinosis in SSc. Few single-centre observational studies have shown mild benefit with minocycline and topical sodium thiosulfate.

SUMMARY

Calcinosis cutis is the deposition of insoluble calcium in the skin and subcutaneous tissues. It affects up to 40% of SSc patients and causes significant morbidity. Long disease duration, features of vascular dysfunction and osteoporosis have been associated with calcinosis. Altered levels of inorganic pyrophosphate and fibroblast growth factor-23 have been implicated in dysregulated phosphate metabolism that may lead to calcinosis in SSc. Plain radiography can help with diagnosis and quantifying the calcinosis burden. Surgical treatment remains the most effective therapy when feasible. At present, no medical therapies have proven efficacy in large randomized controlled trials.

Calcinosis in dermatomyositis: Origins and possible therapeutic avenues

Calcinosis, insoluble calcium compounds deposited in skin and other tissues, is a crippling sequela of dermatomyositis. Prolonged disease associated with ongoing inflammation, ischemia, repetitive trauma, and certain autoantibodies are associated with calcinosis. Herein, we describe potential pathogenic mechanisms including the role of mitochondrial calcification. There are no widely effective treatments for calcinosis. We review available pharmacologic therapies for calcinosis including those targeting calcium and phosphorus metabolism; immunosuppressive/anti-inflammatory therapies; and vasodilators. Mounting evidence supports the use of various formulations of sodium thiosulfate in the treatment of calcinosis. Although the early institution of aggressive immunosuppression may prevent calcinosis in juvenile dermatomyositis, only limited data support improvement once it has developed. Minocycline can be useful particularly for lesions associated with surrounding inflammation. Powerful vasodilators, such as prostacyclin analogs, may have promise in the treatment of calcinosis, but further studies are necessary. Surgical removal of lesions when amenable is our treatment of choice.

The Abcc6a Knockout Zebrafish Model as a Novel Tool for Drug Screening for Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a multisystem ectopic mineralization disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the ABCC6 gene. Though complications of the disease can be treated, PXE itself remains currently intractable. A strategy for rapid and cost-effective discovery of therapeutic drugs would be to perform chemical compound screening using zebrafish, but this approach remains to be validated for PXE. In this paper, we validate a stable CRISPR/Cas9 abcc6a knockout zebrafish model–which has spinal column hypermineralization as its primary phenotypic feature–as a model system for compound screening in ectopic mineralization. We evaluated the anti-mineralization potential of five compounds, which had (anecdotal) positive effects reported in Abcc6 knockout mice and/or PXE patients. Abcc6a knockout zebrafish larvae were treated from 3 to 10 days post-fertilization with vitamin K1, sodium thiosulfate, etidronate, alendronate or magnesium citrate and compared to matching controls. Following alizarin red S staining, alterations in notochord sheath mineralization were semiquantified and found to largely congrue with the originally reported outcomes. Our results demonstrate that the use of this abcc6a knockout zebrafish model is a validated and promising strategy for drug discovery against ectopic mineralization.

Subcutaneous calcinosis: Is it different between systemic sclerosis and dermatomyositis?

Calcinosis cutis is the deposition of insoluble calcium in the skin and subcutaneous tissues. It is a manifestation of several autoimmune connective tissue diseases, most frequently with systemic sclerosis and juvenile dermatomyositis, followed by adult dermatomyositis. Autoimmune connective tissue disease-associated calcinosis is of the dystrophic subtype, which occurs at sites of damaged tissue in the setting of normal serum calcium and phosphate levels. In juvenile dermatomyositis, calcinosis is considered a marker of ongoing disease activity and possibly inadequate treatment, while in adult dermatomyositis, it is a hallmark of skin damage due to chronic rather than active disease. Calcinosis is associated with long disease duration in systemic sclerosis and dermatomyositis, anti-polymyositis/sclerosis autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis and NXP-2 and melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 in dermatomyositis. Calcinosis in systemic sclerosis occurs most frequently in the hands, particularly the fingers, whereas in dermatomyositis, it affects mainly the trunk and extremities. The primary mineral component of calcinosis is hydroxyapatite in systemic sclerosis and carbonate apatite in dermatomyositis. Calcinosis in dermatomyositis and systemic sclerosis share some pathogenic mechanisms, but vascular hypoxia seems to play a more important role in systemic sclerosis, whereas the release of calcium from mitochondria in muscle cells damaged by myopathy may be a primary mechanism contributing to dermatomyositis-related calcinosis. Multiple treatment strategies for dermatomyositis and systemic sclerosis-related calcinosis have been used with variable results. Early aggressive treatment of underlying myositis in patients with dermatomyositis may improve long-term outcomes of calcinosis. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of calcinosis is needed to improve treatment options.

Therapeutic success of sodium thiosulfate in treating cutaneous calciphylaxis in a patient with hyperphosphataemic familial tumoral calcinosis

Calciphylaxis is a potencially disorder in patients with hyperphosphatemic familial tumoral calcinosis (HFTC). Patients commonly present livedo racemosa and retiform purpura, which may progress to necrosis and very painful ulcers. Treatment with sodium thiosulfate provides good results; however, intralesional and intravenous treatment can be limited by its adverse effects. Topical sodium thiosulfate has been successfully reported for cutaneous calcification associated with connective tissue diseases and calciphylaxis in patients with chronic kidney disease. We provide a case report of a patient with HFTC and calciphylaxis who was treated with topical sodium thiosulfate with a rapid and complete response with no side effects.

Inflammatory myopathies: shedding light on promising agents and combination therapies in clinical trials

INTRODUCTION

Due to new insights into the pathogenesis of inflammatory myopathies - in short myositis - and the urgent need for new treatment options in patients who are refractory to standard therapy, multiple novel drugs have been developed and studied in clinical trials. In light of this exciting development, a critical evaluation of the present data is necessary in order to identify the best pathway to future treatment of inflammatory myopathies.

AREAS COVERED

This review focuses on the current evidence from clinical trials in myositis and encompasses dermatomyositis, polymyositis, necrotizing myopathy, antisynthetase-syndrome, overlap myositis, and inclusion body myositis. The results of studies on new therapeutic agents are summarized, in particular larger cohort studies and randomized trials from recent years. When such data were not available, earlier and smaller representative studies were included instead.

EXPERT OPINION

Current studies in most myositis subtypes have shown positive effects of novel biologicals such as abatacept, sifalimumab, JAK-Inhibitors as well as known agents such as rituximab, but further studies are needed to confirm these observations. In inclusion body myositis, the eagerly awaited recent therapeutic trials have missed their primary endpoints, except for the phase 2 study with rapamycin, which has demonstrated significant improvements in secondary endpoints. Future trials will also need to focus on combination therapies of multiple immunomodulatory agents.

Efficacy of intralesional sodium thiosulfate for the treatment of dystrophic calcinosis cutis: A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study

Background

Intralesional injection of sodium thiosulfate has emerged as a promising therapy for calcinosis cutis, but to our knowledge there are no randomized controlled trials evaluating its efficacy as a treatment.

Objective

Conduct a prospective, double-blinded investigation of intralesional sodium thiosulfate versus normal saline in the treatment of dystrophic calcinosis cutis.

Methods

This prospective pilot study injected normal saline or sodium thiosulfate at 0.1 mL/cm² into lesions at baseline and at 1- and 2-month follow-up. Subjects were followed for a total of 12 weeks. An in-person Physician Global Assessment score was assigned by the injecting physician at each visit and was repeated by an independent observer.

Results

Of 4 subjects who completed the study, only 1 experienced improvement in the size and Physician Global Assessment score of the lesion. By 3-month follow-up, there was no difference between the average size of the treatment and control lesions (P = .39).

Limitations

This was a small single-center study with limited demographic diversity and a short follow-up period. Only dystrophic calcinosis cutis subjects were included, and subjects received only 3 monthly injections of sodium thiosulfate.

Conclusions

With only 1 positive response, our results highlight the need for further study of sodium thiosulfate treatment for dystrophic calcinosis.

Local, non-systemic, and minimally invasive therapies for calcinosis cutis: a systematic review

Calcinosis cutis is a deposition of calcium in the skin and subcutaneous tissue, often accompanied by pain, reduced mobility, and chronic infections. Limited evidence is available about the feasibility and efficacy of therapies alternative to systemic treatment and surgical excision, both of which often lead to unsatisfactory results or complications. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical and intralesional sodium thiosulfate, extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL), and laser for calcinosis cutis. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched. Reports of calciphylaxis and treatment combined with systemic medications were excluded. A total of 40 studies including 136 patients were analysed. Partial or complete remission after monotherapy was observed in 64% to 81% of cases. Self-applied topical sodium thiosulfate required patient’s adherence (mean treatment duration, 4.9 months; range 2–24). Laser therapy enabled complete remission of microcalcifications after a single procedure (57%; 12/21). ESWL and intralesional sodium thiosulfate injections decreased calcinosis-associated pain (median reduction in VAS score, 3; range 0–9 and 1; range 0–5, respectively). The most common adverse event was scarring and hyperkeratosis, observed after CO₂ laser (56%; 10/18). Intralesional sodium thiosulfate injections caused transient pain in over 11% of patients. Recurrences within the follow-up were rare (2%; 3/136). This study provides an overview of minimally invasive and local therapies that in selected cases might transcend conventional treatment. The limitation of this study is the poor level of evidence, which emerges mainly from non-randomized studies at high risk of bias.

The impact of skin calcinosis on digital ulcers in patients with SSc: clinical and prognostic stratification using the "wound bed score"

Digital ulcers (DUs) represent one of the major burdens for patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), especially when associated with skin calcinosis (SC). The aim of this work is to evaluate the impact of SC in DUs of patients with SSc for clinical characteristics and prognosis assessed by the wound bed score (WBS). We prospectively enrolled 55 patients with DUs and SSc followed in our dedicated wound care clinic. For all the patients we collected clinical and anthropometric data and characteristics of the DU, and we calculated the WBS for each DU. Ninety-nine DUs were evaluated (24 with SC). SC was prevalent in limited cutaneous SSc (75%) and in patients with longer disease duration (P = 0.02). SC-DUs were prevalent at the fingertip (P = 0.04). The healing time was significantly higher in patients with SC (10.4 ± 7.9 weeks) compared with non-SC (7.0 ± 5.7 weeks) P = 0.03. The WBS negatively correlated with the time to achieve complete healing (r = -0.237 P = 0.023) and the correlation was maintained in the non-SC (r = -0.46, P = 0.033). DUs in SSc patients with SC are common and difficult to heal. When DUs are treated in dedicated centres, the prognosis is good. The WBS is fast and easy and maybe commonly applied in clinical practice.

Clinical and ultrasound response to intralesional sodium thiosulfate for the treatment of calcinosis cutis in the setting of systemic sclerosis. A case-based review

Calcinosis cutis (CC) is defined as the deposition of calcium salts on the skin and subcutaneous tissue. It is associated with different conditions, including some autoimmune diseases, and it can generate significant inflammation, pain, and functional impairment. Different therapies have been tried with limited results. Intralesional sodium thiosulfate seems a promising therapeutic option. We report a patient with diffuse systemic sclerosis who presented with two symmetrical plaques on both axillae, which caused pain and skin retraction. The clinical diagnosis was consistent with CC, which was confirmed by skin biopsy and ultrasound. The patient was treated with a 250 mg/ml solution of sodium thiosulfate injected into the plaques. Complete resolution was achieved after three monthly sessions. The only reported adverse effect was a transient burning sensation during the injections. Given its effectiveness and safety, we believe that intralesional sodium thiosulfate could become a valid first-line option for the treatment of CC.

Hyperphosphatemic Tumoral Calcinosis: Pathogenesis, Clinical Presentation, and Challenges in Management

Hyperphosphatemic familial tumoral calcinosis (HFTC) is a rare and disabling disorder of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) deficiency or resistance. The disorder is manifest by hyperphosphatemia, inappropriately increased tubular reabsorption of phosphate and 1,25-dihydroxy-Vitamin D, and ectopic calcifications. HFTC has been associated with autosomal recessive pathogenic variants in: (1) the gene encoding FGF23; (2) GALNT3, which encodes a protein responsible for FGF23 glycosylation; and (3) KL, the gene encoding KLOTHO, a critical co-receptor for FGF23 signaling. An acquired autoimmune form of hyperphosphatemic tumoral calcinosis has also been reported. Periarticular tumoral calcinosis is the primary cause of disability in HFTC, leading to pain, reduced range-of-motion, and impaired physical function. Inflammatory disease is also prominent, including diaphysitis with cortical hyperostosis. Multiple treatment strategies have attempted to manage blood phosphate, reduce pain and inflammation, and address calcifications and their complications. Unfortunately, efficacy data are limited to case reports and small cohorts, and no clearly effective therapies have been identified. The purpose of this review is to provide a background on pathogenesis and clinical presentation in HFTC, discuss current approaches to clinical management, and outline critical areas of need for future research.

[New developments in topical pharmaceuticals]

Topical preparations are by far the most frequently used therapeutic or prophylactic pharmaceuticals by dermatologists. Although only a few new active ingredients in topical pharmaceuticals have reached the market in recent years, some innovative galenic concepts and strategies considering the intrinsic effect of topical preparations have been developed, and it is quite certain that we can count on more genuine innovations in the near future. In particular small molecules, but also biological drugs, can be expected to be delivered by topical preparations, especially for inflammatory diseases. Also, we await innovative strategies for the substitution or regulation of the physicochemical and microbiological barrier function of the skin, including completely new options relating to the application of ribonucleic acid derivatives or their inhibitors aiming at influencing gene expression. Overall, it can be stated that the potential of epicutaneous application will take shape in modern vehicle strategies and procedures that deploy the intrinsic effect of topical preparations and that progress in biotechnology and physical chemistry will become increasingly relevant in practice.