This article is part of the supplement: Advances in systemic sclerosis and related fibrotic and vascular conditions
Clinical trials and basic research: defining mechanisms and improving treatment in connective tissue disease
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* Corresponding author: Lewis J Rubin ljrubin@ucsd.edu
1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California San Diego, Campus Point Drive, La Jolla, California 92037-7381, USA
2 Centre for Rheumatology, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
3 University of Michigan Scleroderma Program, East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-0358, USA
Arthritis Research & Therapy 2007, 9(Suppl 2):S10 doi:10.1186/ar2194
Published: 15 August 2007Abstract
Despite advances in elucidating the pathogenic factors responsible for its development, systemic sclerosis remains complex and poorly understood, and treatment options are limited. Multidisciplinary collaborative efforts are needed to better characterize clinical and prognostic parameters and to design and implement large-scale clinical trials in well defined populations with therapies that target potential disease modulators.