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Komura K, Yanaba K, Bouaziz JD, Yoshizaki A, Hasegawa M, Varga J, Takehara K, Matsushita T. Perspective to precision medicine in scleroderma. Front Immunol 2024; 14:1298665. [PMID: 38304250 PMCID: PMC10830793 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1298665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare and heterogeneous disease with no relevant environmental trigger or significant responsible gene. It has been and will continue to be difficult to identify large enough patients to conduct classic population-based epidemiologic exposure/non-exposure studies with adequate power to ascertain environmental and genetic risk factors for these entities. The complexity of pathogenesis and heterogeneity are likely to require personalized/precision medicine for SSc. Since several potential drugs are currently available for specific patients if not whole SSc, classification of SSc seems to form the foundation for a better therapeutic strategy. To date, SSc has been classified based on the extent/severity of the affected area as well as some disease markers, including the autoantibody profile. However, such an analysis should also lead to improvements in the design of appropriately stratified clinical trials to determine the effects and prediction of targeted therapies. An approach based on drug response preclinically conducted using patients' own fibroblasts in vitro, can provide a precise disease marker/therapeutic selection for clinical practice. Because scleroderma dermal fibroblasts have a persistent hyper-productive phenotype occurring not only in person, but also in cell culture conditions. Thus, an accumulating approach based on disease markers ensures progression and de-escalation to re-establish a better life with a personally optimized drug environment after the onset of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Komura
- Department of Dermatology, Kanazawa Red Cross Hospital, Japanese Red Cross Society, Kanazawa, Japan
- Northwestern Scleroderma Program, Division of Rheumatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Koichi Yanaba
- Department of Dermatology, Jikei University, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - John Varga
- Northwestern Scleroderma Program, Division of Rheumatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
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Motta F, Tonutti A, Isailovic N, Ceribelli A, Costanzo G, Rodolfi S, Selmi C, De Santis M. Proteomic aptamer analysis reveals serum biomarkers associated with disease mechanisms and phenotypes of systemic sclerosis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1246777. [PMID: 37753072 PMCID: PMC10518467 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1246777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease that affects multiple organs, leading to elevated morbidity and mortality with limited treatment options. The early detection of organ involvement is challenging as there is currently no serum marker available to predict the progression of SSc. The aptamer technology proteomic analysis holds the potential to correlate SSc manifestations with serum proteins up to femtomolar concentrations. Methods This is a two-tier study of serum samples from women with SSc (including patients with interstitial lung disease - ILD - at high-resolution CT scan) and age-matched healthy controls (HC) that were first analyzed with aptamer-based proteomic analysis for over 1300 proteins. Proposed associated proteins were validated by ELISA first in an independent cohort of patients with SSc and HC, and selected proteins subject to further validation in two additional cohorts. Results The preliminary aptamer-based proteomic analysis identified 33 proteins with significantly different concentrations in SSc compared to HC sera and 9 associated with SSc-ILD, including proteins involved in extracellular matrix formation and cell-cell adhesion, angiogenesis, leukocyte recruitment, activation, and signaling. Further validations in independent cohorts ultimately confirmed the association of specific proteins with early SSc onset, specific organ involvement, and serum autoantibodies. Conclusions Our multi-tier proteomic analysis identified serum proteins discriminating patients with SSc and HC or associated with different SSc subsets, disease duration, and manifestations, including ILD, skin involvement, esophageal disease, and autoantibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Motta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Antonio Tonutti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Natasa Isailovic
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Angela Ceribelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Giovanni Costanzo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Stefano Rodolfi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Carlo Selmi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Maria De Santis
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy
- Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Italy
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3
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Johnson SR, Foeldvari I. Approach to Systemic Sclerosis Patient Assessment. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2023; 49:193-210. [PMID: 37028831 DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2023.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a heterogeneous disease comprising of a wide spectrum of ages of onset, sex-based differences, ethnic variations, disease manifestations, differential serologic profiles, and variable response to therapy resulting in reduced health-related quality of life, disability, and survival. The ability to subset groups of patients with SSc can assist with refining the diagnosis, guide appropriate monitoring, inform aggressiveness of immunosuppression, and predict prognosis. The ability to subset patients with SSc has several important practical implications for patient care.
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Fioretto BS, Rosa I, Matucci-Cerinic M, Romano E, Manetti M. Current Trends in Vascular Biomarkers for Systemic Sclerosis: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044097. [PMID: 36835506 PMCID: PMC9965592 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is a multifaceted rare connective tissue disease whose pathogenesis is dominated by immune dysregulation, small vessel vasculopathy, impaired angiogenesis, and both cutaneous and visceral fibrosis. Microvascular impairment represents the initial event of the disease, preceding fibrosis by months or years and accounting for the main disabling and/or life-threatening clinical manifestations, including telangiectasias, pitting scars, periungual microvascular abnormalities (e.g., giant capillaries, hemorrhages, avascular areas, ramified/bushy capillaries) clinically detectable by nailfold videocapillaroscopy, ischemic digital ulcers, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and scleroderma renal crisis. Despite a variety of available treatment options, treatment of SSc-related vascular disease remains problematic, even considering SSc etherogenity and the quite narrow therapeutic window. In this context, plenty of studies have highlighted the great usefulness in clinical practice of vascular biomarkers allowing clinicians to assess the evolution of the pathological process affecting the vessels, as well as to predict the prognosis and the response to therapy. The current narrative review provides an up-to-date overview of the main candidate vascular biomarkers that have been proposed for SSc, focusing on their main reported associations with characteristic clinical vascular features of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Irene Rosa
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Unit of Immunology, Rheumatology, Allergy and Rare Diseases (UnIRAR), IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Imaging Platform, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Future Treatment Options in Systemic Sclerosis—Potential Targets and Ongoing Clinical Trials. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11051310. [PMID: 35268401 PMCID: PMC8911443 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11051310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by vasculopathy and fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. The pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis is very complex. Mediators produced by immune cells are involved in the inflammatory processes occurring in the tissues. The currently available therapeutic options are often insufficient to halt disease progress. This article presents an overview of potential therapeutic targets and the pipeline of possible future therapeutic options. It is based on research of clinical trials involving novel, unestablished methods of treatment. Increasing knowledge of the processes and mediators involved in systemic scleroderma has led to the initiation of drug trials with therapeutic targets of CD28-CD80/86, CD19, CCL24, CD20, CD30, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), B-cell activating factor (BAFF), lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA1 receptor), soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), Janus kinases (JAK), interleukin 6 (IL-6), endothelin receptor, and autotaxin. Data from clinical trials on these drugs indicate a significant potential for several new therapeutic options for systemic sclerosis in the upcoming future.
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Papadimitriou TI, van Caam A, van der Kraan PM, Thurlings RM. Therapeutic Options for Systemic Sclerosis: Current and Future Perspectives in Tackling Immune-Mediated Fibrosis. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020316. [PMID: 35203525 PMCID: PMC8869277 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe auto-immune, rheumatic disease, characterized by excessive fibrosis of the skin and visceral organs. SSc is accompanied by high morbidity and mortality rates, and unfortunately, few disease-modifying therapies are currently available. Inflammation, vasculopathy, and fibrosis are the key hallmarks of SSc pathology. In this narrative review, we examine the relationship between inflammation and fibrosis and provide an overview of the efficacy of current and novel treatment options in diminishing SSc-related fibrosis based on selected clinical trials. To do this, we first discuss inflammatory pathways of both the innate and acquired immune systems that are associated with SSc pathophysiology. Secondly, we review evidence supporting the use of first-line therapies in SSc patients. In addition, T cell-, B cell-, and cytokine-specific treatments that have been utilized in SSc are explored. Finally, the potential effectiveness of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and other novel therapeutic approaches in reducing fibrosis is highlighted.
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7
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CXCL4 drives fibrosis by promoting several key cellular and molecular processes. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110189. [PMID: 34986347 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a major cause of mortality worldwide, characterized by myofibroblast activation and excessive extracellular matrix deposition. Systemic sclerosis is a prototypic fibrotic disease in which CXCL4 is increased and strongly correlates with skin and lung fibrosis. Here we aim to elucidate the role of CXCL4 in fibrosis development. CXCL4 levels are increased in multiple inflammatory and fibrotic mouse models, and, using CXCL4-deficient mice, we demonstrate the essential role of CXCL4 in promoting fibrotic events in the skin, lungs, and heart. Overexpressing human CXCL4 in mice aggravates, whereas blocking CXCL4 reduces, bleomycin-induced fibrosis. Single-cell ligand-receptor analysis predicts CXCL4 to affect endothelial cells and fibroblasts. In vitro, we confirm that CXCL4 directly induces myofibroblast differentiation and collagen synthesis in different precursor cells, including endothelial cells, by stimulating endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Our findings identify a pivotal role of CXCL4 in fibrosis, further substantiating the potential role of neutralizing CXCL4 as a therapeutic strategy.
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8
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Nevskaya T, Pope JE, Turk MA, Shu J, Marquardt A, van den Hoogen F, Khanna D, Fransen J, Matucci-Cerinic M, Baron M, Denton CP, Johnson SR. Systematic Analysis of the Literature in Search of Defining Systemic Sclerosis Subsets. J Rheumatol 2021; 48:1698-1717. [PMID: 33993109 PMCID: PMC10613330 DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.201594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem disease with heterogeneity in presentation and prognosis.An international collaboration to develop new SSc subset criteria is underway. Our objectives were to identify systems of SSc subset classification and synthesize novel concepts to inform development of new criteria. METHODS Medline, Cochrane MEDLINE, the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched from their inceptions to December 2019 for studies related to SSc subclassification, limited to humans and without language or sample size restrictions. RESULTS Of 5686 citations, 102 studies reported original data on SSc subsets. Subset classification systems relied on extent of skin involvement and/or SSc-specific autoantibodies (n = 61), nailfold capillary patterns (n = 29), and molecular, genomic, and cellular patterns (n = 12). While some systems of subset classification confer prognostic value for clinical phenotype, severity, and mortality, only subsetting by gene expression signatures in tissue samples has been associated with response to therapy. CONCLUSION Subsetting on extent of skin involvement remains important. Novel disease attributes including SSc-specific autoantibodies, nailfold capillary patterns, and tissue gene expression signatures have been proposed as innovative means of SSc subsetting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Nevskaya
- T. Nevskaya, MD, PhD, J.E. Pope, MD, MPH, M.A. Turk, MSc, J. Shu, MD, HBSc, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Janet E Pope
- T. Nevskaya, MD, PhD, J.E. Pope, MD, MPH, M.A. Turk, MSc, J. Shu, MD, HBSc, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew A Turk
- T. Nevskaya, MD, PhD, J.E. Pope, MD, MPH, M.A. Turk, MSc, J. Shu, MD, HBSc, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jenny Shu
- T. Nevskaya, MD, PhD, J.E. Pope, MD, MPH, M.A. Turk, MSc, J. Shu, MD, HBSc, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - April Marquardt
- A. Marquardt, DO, D. Khanna, MD, MS, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Frank van den Hoogen
- F. van den Hoogen, MD, PhD, St. Maartenskliniek and Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Dinesh Khanna
- A. Marquardt, DO, D. Khanna, MD, MS, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jaap Fransen
- J. Fransen, MSc, PhD, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- M. Matucci-Cerinic, MD, PhD, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine & Division of Rheumatology AOUC, Florence Italy University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Murray Baron
- M. Baron, MD, McGill University, Division Head Rheumatology, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Christopher P Denton
- C.P. Denton, FRCP, PhD, University College London, Division of Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sindhu R Johnson
- S.R. Johnson, MD, PhD, Toronto Scleroderma Program, Toronto Western and Mount Sinai Hospitals, Department of Medicine, and Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Thoreau B, Chaigne B, Renaud A, Mouthon L. Treatment of systemic sclerosis. Presse Med 2021; 50:104088. [PMID: 34718109 DOI: 10.1016/j.lpm.2021.104088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease characterized by skin and visceral fibrosis, vascular hyperreactivity and obliterative vasculopathy. Some of its complications such as interstitial lung disease (ILD), pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and heart involvement can be life-threatening and are associated with a high mortality and a poor prognosis. Many clinical trials were carried out in order to improve the survival and prognosis of SSc patients. The management of SSc is based on the frequent and regular assessment of the potential organ damage, and if present, the establishment of graduated pharmacological therapeutic strategies, associated with non-pharmacological procedures. Several randomized clinical trials have showed significant positive outcomes regarding some specific involvements. Many advances have been made, especially in the field of targeted therapies and personalized medicine, based on specific characteristics of the patient and the SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Thoreau
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Université de Paris; Service de Médecine Interne, Centre de Référence Maladies Systémiques Autoimmunes Rares d'Ile de France, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
| | - Benjamin Chaigne
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Université de Paris; Service de Médecine Interne, Centre de Référence Maladies Systémiques Autoimmunes Rares d'Ile de France, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
| | - Arthur Renaud
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Université de Paris; Service de Médecine Interne, Centre de Compétence Maladies Systémiques Autoimmunes Rares, CHU de Nantes, Nantes, France
| | - Luc Mouthon
- Institut Cochin, INSERM U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Université de Paris; Service de Médecine Interne, Centre de Référence Maladies Systémiques Autoimmunes Rares d'Ile de France, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France.
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10
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Mendoza FA, Piera-Velazquez S, Jimenez SA. Tyrosine kinases in the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis in systemic sclerosis and potential therapeutic role of their inhibition. Transl Res 2021; 231:139-158. [PMID: 33422651 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an idiopathic autoimmune disease with a heterogeneous clinical phenotype ranging from limited cutaneous involvement to rapidly progressive diffuse SSc. The most severe SSc clinical and pathologic manifestations result from an uncontrolled fibrotic process involving the skin and various internal organs. The molecular mechanisms responsible for the initiation and progression of the SSc fibrotic process have not been fully elucidated. Recently it has been suggested that tyrosine protein kinases play a role. The implicated kinases include receptor-activated tyrosine kinases and nonreceptor tyrosine kinases. The receptor kinases are activated following specific binding of growth factors (platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, or vascular endothelial growth factor). Other receptor kinases are the discoidin domain receptors activated by binding of various collagens, the ephrin receptors that are activated by ephrins and the angiopoetin-Tie-2s receptors. The nonreceptor tyrosine kinases c-Abl, Src, Janus, and STATs have also been shown to participate in SSc-associated tissue fibrosis. Currently, there are no effective disease-modifying therapies for SSc-associated tissue fibrosis. Therefore, extensive investigation has been conducted to examine whether tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) may exert antifibrotic effects. Here, we review the role of receptor and nonreceptor tyrosine kinases in the pathogenesis of the frequently progressive cutaneous and systemic fibrotic alterations in SSc, and the potential of TKIs as SSc disease-modifying antifibrotic therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian A Mendoza
- Rheumatology Division, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine and Scleroderma Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine and Scleroderma Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sergio A Jimenez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine and Scleroderma Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Liakouli V, Ciaffi J, Ursini F, Ruscitti P, Meliconi R, Ciccia F, Cipriani P, Giacomelli R. Efficacy and safety of imatinib mesylate in systemic sclerosis. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2020; 16:931-942. [PMID: 32893688 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2020.1813569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To synthetize the available evidence concerning efficacy and safety of imatinib mesylate, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS A systematic search following the PRISMA-statement in PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science databases up to 7 February 2020 was conducted. Considering the substantial heterogeneity expected, a random-effects model to pool data from selected studies was adopted. RESULTS After a treatment period ranging from 6 to 12 months, the pooled analysis revealed that imatinib mesylate significantly improved modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) (mean difference [MD] = -3.091, 95%CI -6.081 to -0.102, p = 0.043), whereas health-related assessment questionnaire (HAQ) remains unchanged (-0.096; 95 CI -0.197 to -0.006). Data regarding change in pulmonary function tests were insufficiently consistent to be considered eligible for meta-analysis. Finally, regarding safety, the authors found a pooled dropout rate due to all adverse events of 22% and a rate of serious adverse events of 17%. CONCLUSION The significant change within the range of clinical relevance of mRSS suggests the possible use of imatinib mesylate in SSc, whereas it is still not possible to draw firm conclusions regarding the efficacy of the drug on lung involvement. Specifically designed and powered studies are needed to investigate imatinib mesylate therapy in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Liakouli
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Naples, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Ursini
- IRRCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli , Bologna, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna , Bologna, Italy
| | - Piero Ruscitti
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila , L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Riccardo Meliconi
- IRRCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli , Bologna, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna , Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Ciccia
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" , Naples, Italy
| | - Paola Cipriani
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila , L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Roberto Giacomelli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila , L'Aquila, Italy
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Chung MP, Chung L. Drugs in phase I and phase II clinical trials for systemic sclerosis. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:349-362. [PMID: 32178544 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1743973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease that is characterized by excessive collagen deposition, vascular dysfunction, and fibrosis of cutaneous and visceral organs. Current therapeutic options are limited and provide only modest benefit.Areas covered: This review summarizes investigational agents in recent Phase I and II clinical trials evaluated for the treatment of SSc with a focus on skin in patients with early diffuse disease and interstitial lung disease. We performed a search on Pubmed and https://clinicaltrials.gov with keywords systemic sclerosis, Phase I clinical trial, and Phase II clinical trial to identify relevant studies from 2015 to 2019.Expert opinion: Therapeutic interventions in SSc should be guided by the level of disease activity and the degree of organ involvement. While most novel agents have failed to meet the primary endpoints of reducing skin thickening as measured by the modified Rodnan skin score, some have shown promise in improving the Composite Response Index for Clinical Trials in Early Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis (CRISS), reducing lung function decline, or improving patient-reported outcomes. However, most of the current evidence is based on small or open-label clinical trials. Well-designed, large, randomized, Phase III clinical trials are necessary to define the roles of investigational agents in treating SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody P Chung
- Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Lorinda Chung
- Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.,Division of Rheumatology, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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Abstract
Epidemiological studies reporting demographic, clinical and serological factors predictive of various outcomes in systemic sclerosis (SSc) range from the prediction of mortality to the development and progression of disease manifestations. However, predicting the disease trajectory in the individual patient is a challenging but important step towards a stratified approach to disease management. Recent technological advances provide the opportunity for new subgroupings of disease based on risk stratification, through the systematic analysis of high-dimensional clinical data combined with genes, their transcription products and their corresponding translated proteins. In addition, these variables offer a rich vein of research to identify non-invasive biomarkers for predicting organ involvement and to assess disease activity and response to therapy. Selection of patients with a clinical phenotype or molecular signature relevant to the therapy under study combined with recent efforts to standardise outcome measures, show promise for improving clinical trial design and the identification of effective targeted therapies.
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Unmet Needs in Systemic Sclerosis Understanding and Treatment: the Knowledge Gaps from a Scientist's, Clinician's, and Patient's Perspective. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2019; 55:312-331. [PMID: 28866756 PMCID: PMC6244948 DOI: 10.1007/s12016-017-8636-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a highly heterogeneous disease caused by a complex molecular circuitry. For decades, clinical and molecular research focused on understanding the primary process of fibrosis. More recently, the inflammatory, immunological and vascular components that precede the actual onset of fibrosis, have become a matter of increasing scientific scrutiny. As a consequence, the field has started to realize that the early identification of this syndrome is crucial for optimal clinical care as well as for understanding its pathology. The cause of SSc cannot be appointed to a single molecular pathway but to a multitude of molecular aberrances in a spatial and temporal matter and on the backbone of the patient's genetic predisposition. These alterations underlie the plethora of signs and symptoms which patients experience and clinicians look for, ultimately culminating in fibrotic features. To solve this complexity, a close interaction among the patient throughout its "journey," the clinician through its clinical assessments and the researcher with its experimental design, seems to be required. In this review, we aimed to highlight the features of SSc through the eyes of these three professionals, all with their own expertise and opinions. With this unique setup, we underscore the importance of investigating the role of environmental factors in the onset and perpetuation of SSc, of focusing on the earliest signs and symptoms preceding fibrosis and on the application of holistic research approaches that include a multitude of potential molecular alterations in time in an unbiased fashion, in the search for a patient-tailored cure.
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Boleto G, Allanore Y, Avouac J. Targeting Costimulatory Pathways in Systemic Sclerosis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2998. [PMID: 30619351 PMCID: PMC6305435 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune T-cell disease that is characterized by pathological fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. SSc is considered a prototype condition for studying the links between autoimmunity and fibrosis. Costimulatory pathways such as CD28/CTLA-4, ICOS-B7RP1, CD70-CD27, CD40-CD154, or OX40-OX40L play an essential role in the modulation of T-cell and inflammatory immune responses. A growing body of evidence suggests that T-cell costimulation signals might be implicated in the pathogenesis of SSc. CD28, CTLA-4, ICOS, and OX40L are overexpressed in patients with SSc, particularly in patients with cutaneous diffuse forms. In pre-clinical models of SSc, T-cell costimulation blockade with abatacept (CTLA-4-Ig) prevented and induced the regression of inflammation-driven dermal fibrosis, improved digestive involvement, prevented lung fibrosis, and attenuated pulmonary hypertension in complementary models of SSc. Likewise, potent anti-fibrotic effects were seen with the blockade of OX40L by reducing the infiltration of inflammatory cells into lesional tissues leading to decreased fibroblast activation. Concerning clinical effects, a preliminary observational study suggested some effectiveness of abatacept on inflammatory joint involvement, whereas clinical improvement of skin fibrosis was observed in a small placebo-controlled randomized trial. Currently there is one ongoing phase II clinical trial assessing the efficacy of abatacept in SSc (ASSET trial, NCT02161406). Overall, given the lack of available effective agents and the known toxic effects of immunosuppressive agents approved for use in SSc, costimulatory pathways offer the advantage of a targeted approach to costimulatory signals and potentially a better safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonçalo Boleto
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Service de Rhumatologie A, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Yannick Allanore
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Service de Rhumatologie A, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Avouac
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, INSERM U1016, Institut Cochin, CNRS UMR8104, Paris, France.,Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Service de Rhumatologie A, Hôpital Cochin, Paris, France
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Abstract
KIT is a receptor tyrosine kinase that after binding to its ligand stem cell factor activates signaling cascades linked to biological processes such as proliferation, differentiation, migration and cell survival. Based on studies performed on SCF and/or KIT mutant animals that presented anemia, sterility, and/or pigmentation disorders, KIT signaling was mainly considered to be involved in the regulation of hematopoiesis, gametogenesis, and melanogenesis. More recently, novel animal models and ameliorated cellular and molecular techniques have led to the discovery of a widen repertoire of tissue compartments and functions that are being modulated by KIT. This is the case for the lung, heart, nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, kidney, liver, and bone. For this reason, the tyrosine kinase inhibitors that were originally developed for the treatment of hemato-oncological diseases are being currently investigated for the treatment of non-oncological disorders such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and alzheimer's disease, among others. The beneficial effects of some of these tyrosine kinase inhibitors have been proven to depend on KIT inhibition. This review will focus on KIT expression and regulation in healthy and pathologic conditions other than cancer. Moreover, advances in the development of anti-KIT therapies, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and their application will be discussed.
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Selmi C, Kon E, Santis MD, Favalli EG, Cimaz R, Generali E, Sinigaglia L. How advances in personalized medicine will change rheumatology. Per Med 2018; 15:75-78. [DOI: 10.2217/pme-2017-0079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Selmi
- Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- BIOMETRA Department, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Elizaveta Kon
- Orthopedics, Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Rozzano, Milano, Italy
| | - Maria De Santis
- Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Ennio G Favalli
- Department of Rheumatology, Gaetano Pini Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Rolando Cimaz
- Pediatric Rheumatology, Meyer Children Hospital, Florence, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Pharmacology & Children Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Generali
- Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigi Sinigaglia
- Department of Rheumatology, Gaetano Pini Institute, Milan, Italy
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Wermuth PJ, Piera-Velazquez S, Jimenez SA. Identification of novel systemic sclerosis biomarkers employing aptamer proteomic analysis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2017; 57:1698-1706. [DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kex404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Wermuth
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine and The Scleroderma Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine and The Scleroderma Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sergio A Jimenez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine and The Scleroderma Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Affandi AJ, Carvalheiro T, Radstake TRDJ, Marut W. Dendritic cells in systemic sclerosis: Advances from human and mice studies. Immunol Lett 2017; 195:18-29. [PMID: 29126878 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2017.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 11/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex heterogeneous fibrotic autoimmune disease with an unknown exact etiology, and characterized by three hallmarks: fibrosis, vasculopathy, and immune dysfunction. Dendritic cells (DCs) are specialized cells in pathogen sensing with high potency of antigen presentation and capable of releasing mediators to shape the immune response. Altered DCs distributions and their impaired functions may account for their role in breaking the immune tolerance and driving inflammation in SSc, and the direct contribution of DCs in promoting endothelial dysfunction and fibrotic process has only begun to be understood. Plasmacytoid dendritic cells in particular have been implicated due to their high production of type I interferon as well as other cytokines and chemokines, including the pro-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic CXCL4. Furthermore, a deeper understanding of human and mouse DC biology has clarified their identification and function in different tissues, and novel DC subsets have only recently been discovered. In this review, we highlight key findings and recent advances exploring DC role in the pathogenesis of SSc and other related autoimmune diseases, and consideration of their potential use as targeted therapy in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alsya J Affandi
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tiago Carvalheiro
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Timothy R D J Radstake
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Wioleta Marut
- Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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