Conditions: Alveolitis Systemic Sclerosis
Keywords: active alveolitis in systemic sclerosis
Allocation: NA | Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Enrollment: 20
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and tolerability of imatinib (gleevec) in subjects who have systemic sclerosis. Imatinib has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of newly diagnosed adult patients with CML (newly diagnosed adult patients and for the treatment of patients with an accelerated phase. Imatinib is also approved for the treatment of patients with a certain type of gastrointestinal cancer (called stromal tumors) but it has not been approved to treat systemic sclerosis. Imatinib works by interfering with an enzyme called tyrosine phosphatase resulting in suppression of the immune system. It als interferes with a protein called platelet derived growth factor receptor (PDGFr) that has been linked to increased fibrosis.

Detailed description:
Systemic sclerosis is a rare, progressive disease that leads to hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues. It usually begins with a few dry patches of skin on the hands or face that begin getting thicker and harder. These patches then spread to other areas of the skin. In some cases, systemic sclerosis also affects the blood vessels an internal organs. Systemic sclerosis is one of a group of arthritic conditions called connective tissue disorders, a person's antibodies are directed against their own tissues.

Arms:
arm 1: SSc patients receiving Imatinib (Gleevec, up to 600 mg) QD PO for up to 1 year.

Interventions: intervention 1: Imatinib intervention 2: Imatinib
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: All subjects will receive gleevec. Subjects will have a clinic visit every 2 weeks for the first 20 weeks and then they will have one every 4 weeks for the remainder of the study. Gleevec will be taken by mouth everyday. It will be increased to a maximum of 600 mg every day. It will be increased 100 mg at each visit for the first 12 weeks. Your participation may last up to 1 year and participants will have approximately 18 clinic visits. intervention 2: Up to 600 mg QD PO for up to 1 year.

Protocol document: