Systemic sclerosis: a systematic review on therapeutic management from 2011 to 2014.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies in the treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc) from 2011 to 2014 through a systematic review.

RECENT FINDINGS: Our systematic review identifies randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, case series, and observational studies which support organ-based therapy with known immunosuppressive agents, novel agents, and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and also includes nonpharmacologic therapies improving visceral and physical function.

SUMMARY: SSc is an orphan autoimmune disorder with significant morbidity and mortality. Although there has been significant progress over the years in therapeutic options for SSc, the mainstays of treatment are organ-based and primarily symptom management. Our systematic review of the last 4 years of treatment emphasizes known treatment strategies already in practice, but also identifies new therapeutic approaches with additional biologic agents and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.