Generic placeholder image

Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1871-5303
ISSN (Online): 2212-3873

Targeting Vascular Disease in Systemic Sclerosis

Author(s): Otylia Kowal-Bielecka

Volume 6, Issue 4, 2006

Page: [401 - 407] Pages: 7

DOI: 10.2174/187153006779025793

Price: $65

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma, SSc) is a chronic connective tissue disease of unknown etiology characterized by progressive fibrosis of the skin and a distinctive pattern of internal organ involvement. Excessive fibrosis, vascular injury, autoimmunity and inflammation are permanent features of the disease process leading to irreversible organ damage and significant morbidity and mortality in SSc patients. Recent progress in understanding the pathogenesis of SSc as well as diagnostic and therapeutic advances in medicine have made more effective treatment strategies possible. So far, therapies targeting vascular aspects of SSc have been most successful. This underlines the role of vascular injury in the pathogenesis of the disease and raising hopes of significant improvement in the management of SSc patients. The aim of this review is to summarize recent and potential future treatments of SSc-associated vascular disease.

Keywords: Systemic sclerosis, vascular disease, management


Rights & Permissions Print Cite
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy