Aimspro as a Mono-therapy in Scleroderma.

Scleroderma, a chronic disease of the rheumatology family, that is characterised by fibrosis (or hardening), vascular alterations, and auto-antibodies.  

The cause of scleroderma is unknown and those with this condition experience a build-up of a substance called collagen in their skin and other organs. This build-up leads to the symptoms of the disease.

This affects the small blood vessels (arterioles) in all organs. First, the endothelial cells of the arteriole die off, along with smooth muscle cells, by a process of apoptosis (the process of programmed cell death). They are replaced by collagen and other fibrous material. The disease usually affects people 30 to 50 years old and women get scleroderma more often than men. (4:1). Widespread scleroderma can occur with other autoimmune diseases such as lupus. The diffuse form of the disease is rapidly progressing and affects a large area of the skin and one or more internal organs, frequently the kidneys, esophagus, heart and lungs. This form of scleroderma can be quite disabling.

Scleroderma symptoms vary, depending on which organ systems are involved. Diagnosis can be difficult as some of the early symptoms are common in the general population and are not always associated with scleroderma.

There is no direct cure for scleroderma. As the exact cause is unknown, any treatment is patient-specific and aimed at ameliorating symptoms of the disease.

Slowly a person’s body organs stiffen and lose their flexability. This process results in an excessive production of a protein called collagen and a hardening of tissues, which can seriously affect many of the body systems.

Significantly, at the end of a 26 week study period “aimspro” proved it was a safe and well-tolerated medication when administered to these especially sick patients at such a late-stage of the disease. There was no deterioration in haematological, biochemical, immunologic, cardiologic or in pulmonary parameters that were measured. In addition to the positive safety result, there were encouraging signals of clinical benefit in the secondary outcome measures.

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