The SVM center continues to work on ways to support our patient community by increasing access to care and providing resources to connect with other members of the scleroderma community.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Belimumab and Rituximab Combination Therapy for the Treatment of Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis: “BRISSc”
HSS is the sponsor for this single center, this double blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial assessing this anti-B-cell strategy in patients with early diffuse systemic sclerosis. Patients will be randomized in a 2-to-1 fashion to treatment with Rituximab 1000 mg every other week for two infusions followed by weekly belimumab (200 mg subcutaneously) or placebo infusions followed by weekly subcutaneous placebo injections. All patients in the trial will be treated with background mycophenolate meaning that both groups will be receiving active therapy with a very standard option for this disease. The duration of therapy in the trial will be one year. Additionally, patients will have the option to enroll into a one-year open label phase upon completion of the double blind trial. In this open label extension, participants will get weekly belimumab injections for a year.
Enrolling now! Contact: Liza Morales, 212.774.2561

A Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial of Abatacept (CTLA4-Ig) in Giant Cell Arteritis (ABAGART)
This study is looking at the efficacy of abatacept, a medication for treating rheumatoid arthritis, in treating GCA. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either 125mg subcutaneous abatacept or placebo. All patients will receive glucocorticoids that will be tapered and discontinued by week 26. Patients who achieve and stay in remission will be treated with abatacept/placebo for 12 months. Patients who relapse during the study or do not achieve remission by month 3 will have the option to receive open label treatment with abatacept.
Enrolling now! Contact Aliza Bloostein, 212-774-2123