Those who suffer from scleroderma, a chronic autoimmunde disease, may have hope in a new drug being tested at Wayne State University School of Medicine. Phase II clinical studies of relaxin, a naturally occurring hormone, show that the druge may reverse skin thickening, which is a clinical measure of the progression of scleroderma. The study, sponsored by California-based Connetics Corp., was tested by Maureen Mayes, MD, a WSU rheumatologist at Hutzel Hospital, in addition to 12 other sites nationally. About 300,000 people in the United States have a form of scleroderma, a disease that causes a wide range of symptoms, including thickening of the skin. The cure part is hard because we have no idea what causes it, Dr. Mayes said.
Relaxin promotes connective tissue remodeling by inhibiting excess tissue formation.
WSU is one of 13 centers participating in Phase II clinical trials of relaxin for scleroderma treatment. The relaxin study involved 68 patients who had moderate to severe scleroderma for less than five years. Three groups of patients were treated with either a placebo, or one of two doses of relaxin. They had reduced skin thickening, improved mobility and improved lung function. Findings of the study were published in the June 6 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.