Possible Scleroderma Treatment Reported

A cancer drug may also become the first treatment for scleroderma, researchers say. Scleroderma is long-lasting disease that hardens the skin and damages the lungs and other organs. The new study included 30 people with diffuse scleroderma. This is a widespread and severe form of the disease. All were given imatinib (Gleevec). This drug usually is used for specific types of leukemia and stomach cancer. After one year, researchers measured to see if the amount of skin affected by the disease had changed. They found a 23% improvement. Lung function also was better. Usually lung function gets worse over time in people with scleroderma. The study was presented at a conference. Ivanhoe Newswire wrote about it October 19.