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Bask GillCEO at Power
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      Why We Started Power

      We started Power when my dad was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, and I struggled to help him access the latest immunotherapy. Hopefully Power makes it simpler for you to explore promising new treatments, during what is probably a difficult time.

      Bask
      Bask GillCEO at Power
      Learn More About Trials
      How Do Clinical Trials Work?Are Clinical Trials Safe?What Can I Expect During a Clinical Trial?

      41 Scleroderma Trials Near You

      Power is an online platform that helps thousands of Scleroderma patients discover FDA-reviewed trials every day. Every trial we feature meets safety and ethical standards, giving patients an easy way to discover promising new treatments in the research stage.

      Learn More About Power
      No Placebo
      Highly Paid
      Stay on Current Meds
      Pivotal Trials (Near Approval)
      Breakthrough Medication

      Mycophenolate Mofetil for Systemic Sclerosis with Interstitial Lung Disease

      Hamilton, Ontario
      The goal of this pilot study is to assess the feasibility of a larger study on the efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil in people diagnosed with systemic sclerosis with mild lung involvement. Participants will be recruited over 12 months at 3 academic centers and assigned randomly to receive either mycophenolate mofetil or placebo, a look-alike substance that contains no active drug, for 96 weeks.

      Trial Details

      Trial Status:Recruiting
      Trial Phase:Phase 2

      Key Eligibility Criteria

      Disqualifiers:Pregnancy, Active Infection, Cancer, Others
      Must Not Be Taking:MMF, Corticosteroids, Cyclophosphamide, Others

      35 Participants Needed

      AlloNK + Rituximab for Rheumatic Diseases

      Willowbrook, Illinois
      A Basket Trial of Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Sjögren's Disease (SjD), Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies (IIMs) and Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) subjects to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AlloNK, a non-genetically modified allogeneic NK cell, in combination with rituximab.
      No Placebo Group

      Trial Details

      Trial Status:Recruiting
      Trial Phase:Phase 2

      Key Eligibility Criteria

      Disqualifiers:Diabetes, Hypertension, Bipolar, Others
      Must Be Taking:Biologic DMARDs

      90 Participants Needed

      ADI-001 for Lupus Nephritis

      Buffalo, New York
      ADI-202300103 is a phase 1 multicenter, open label, dose finding and dose expansion, safety/efficacy study in patients with autoimmune disease. The study will consist of different periods including screening, lymphodepletion, treatment, and follow-up
      No Placebo Group

      Trial Details

      Trial Status:Recruiting
      Trial Phase:Phase 1

      Key Eligibility Criteria

      Disqualifiers:Severe Liver Disease, Gene Therapy, Others

      180 Participants Needed

      RO7303509 for Systemic Sclerosis

      Washington, District of Columbia
      This trial is testing a new drug called RO7303509 in people with systemic sclerosis. The study will give patients increasing doses of the drug to see how their bodies react and to make sure it is safe. The trial includes a treatment period followed by a safety check or an extended safety phase.

      Trial Details

      Trial Status:Active Not Recruiting
      Trial Phase:Phase 1

      Key Eligibility Criteria

      Disqualifiers:Pulmonary Disease, Metabolic Disorders, Others
      Must Not Be Taking:Disease-modifying Therapy

      100 Participants Needed

      Sildenafil for Scleroderma

      Baltimore, Maryland
      This is a Phase II randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of sildenafil in men and women with Scleroderma with mildly elevated pulmonary pressures (SSc-MEP) to determine whether sildenafil may be an effective treatment for SSc-MEP.

      Trial Details

      Trial Status:Recruiting
      Trial Phase:Phase 2

      Key Eligibility Criteria

      Disqualifiers:WHO Class IV, Renal Failure, Others
      Must Not Be Taking:Nitrates, PAH Therapy

      30 Participants Needed

      Oral Ifetroban for Scleroderma

      Baltimore, Maryland
      This trial is testing ifetroban, an oral medication, in patients with severe forms of systemic sclerosis. The goal is to see if it can reduce inflammation and improve blood flow, potentially helping to manage their condition better.

      Trial Details

      Trial Status:Active Not Recruiting
      Trial Phase:Phase 2

      Key Eligibility Criteria

      Disqualifiers:Pregnancy, Lung Disease, Kidney Disease, Others
      Must Be Taking:Oral PAH Therapy

      34 Participants Needed

      RIC alloBMT + Cyclophosphamide for Scleroderma

      Baltimore, Maryland
      This is a Phase I, single arm, open label, single center pilot study to assess a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen, bone marrow transplantation with high dose cyclophosphamide (PTCy) in recipients with refractory systemic sclerosis. This study expects to enroll 15 donor/recipient pairs for a total of 30 participants. The primary objective of this study is to assess the safety of using a reduced intensity condition (RIC) preparative regimen bone marrow transplant (BMT) with post-transplant cyclophosphamide for graft vs host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis as treatment for patients with scleroderma. Safety events are grade III-IV GVHD and treatment related mortality within 1 year. Eligibility includes patients \>18 years who are eligible for transplantation according to the BMT Policy Manual, meet the 2013 ACR/EULAR Criteria for Systemic Sclerosis and display active diffuse cutaneous disease. The trial also includes analyses of the effects of BMT on skeletal and cardiac muscle using systemic scleroderma serum biomarkers of CK, aldolase, and troponin as well as periodic monitoring of circulating scleroderma auto-antibody titers, autoreactive T cells, and flow cytometric signatures over the one-year study period to correlate with response.
      No Placebo Group

      Trial Details

      Trial Status:Recruiting
      Age:18 - 65

      Key Eligibility Criteria

      Disqualifiers:Not Listed

      30 Participants Needed

      ALLO-329 for Lupus

      Durham, North Carolina
      This is a first-in-human, single-arm, open-label study evaluating the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of ALLO-329 in adults with autoimmune diseases: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with and without renal involvement, idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM), and systemic sclerosis (SSc).The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ALLO-329, an allogeneic anti-CD19, anti-CD70 dual chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, in adults with autoimmune disorders, provide initial evidence of biological activity and clinical response to the treatment and determine the recommended Phase 2 regimen (RP2R).
      No Placebo Group

      Trial Details

      Trial Status:Recruiting
      Trial Phase:Phase 1

      Key Eligibility Criteria

      Disqualifiers:Active Infection, Malignancy, Uncontrolled Disease, Others
      Must Be Taking:Immunosuppressive Agents, Hydroxychloroquine

      54 Participants Needed

      BMS-986515 for Autoimmune Diseases

      Durham, North Carolina
      The purpose of this study is to determine the safety, tolerability, optimal dose, and preliminary efficacy of BMS-986515, a healthy donor (HD) allogeneic CD19-targeted CART cell product, in participants with severe, refractory autoimmune diseases.
      No Placebo Group

      Trial Details

      Trial Status:Recruiting
      Trial Phase:Phase 1

      Key Eligibility Criteria

      Disqualifiers:Other Autoimmune Diseases, Pregnancy, Hepatitis, HIV, Malignancies, Others

      125 Participants Needed

      KYV-101 for Autoimmune Diseases

      Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
      The purpose of this study is to assess the safety, tolerability, and clinical activity of KYV 101 (a fully-human anti-CD19 CAR T-cell therapy) in adult subjects with B cell-driven autoimmune diseases. The trial anticipates enrolling participants to reach a maximum of 24 participants who will receive 1 dose of KYV-101 and will be followed for 2 years.
      No Placebo Group

      Trial Details

      Trial Status:Active Not Recruiting
      Trial Phase:Phase 1

      Key Eligibility Criteria

      Disqualifiers:HIV, Hepatitis B, Stroke, Others
      Must Be Taking:Immunosuppressive Therapies

      24 Participants Needed

      Stem Cell Transplant for Autoimmune Diseases

      Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
      A subset of autoimmune diseases (ADs) in children and young adults are life-threatening and unresponsive to conventional treatments. In these patients, the delivery of high dose immunosuppressive therapy followed by autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) offers a treatment strategy capable of purging the pathogenic, autoreactive immune system and an opportunity for "immune reset." This strategy has been used in adults across a myriad of indications with evidence for efficacy. This study proposes a pilot study to evaluate this therapeutic strategy in children and young adults with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), two potentially life threatening autoimmune diseases that may response to this therapeutic approach.
      No Placebo Group

      Trial Details

      Trial Status:Recruiting
      Trial Phase:Phase 2
      Age:8 - 25

      Key Eligibility Criteria

      Disqualifiers:Pregnancy, Previous Transplant, Others
      Must Not Be Taking:DMARDs

      20 Participants Needed

      Why Other Patients Applied

      "I changed my diet in 2020 and I’ve lost 95 pounds from my highest weight (283). I am 5’3”, female, and now 188. I still have a 33 BMI. I've been doing research on alternative approaches to continue my progress, which brought me here to consider clinical trials."

      WR
      Obesity PatientAge: 58

      "I've tried several different SSRIs over the past 23 years with no luck. Some of these new treatments seem interesting... haven't tried anything like them before. I really hope that one could work."

      ZS
      Depression PatientAge: 51

      "As a healthy volunteer, I like to participate in as many trials as I'm able to. It's a good way to help research and earn money."

      IZ
      Healthy Volunteer PatientAge: 38

      "I have dealt with voice and vocal fold issues related to paralysis for over 12 years. This problem has negatively impacted virtually every facet of my life. I am an otherwise healthy 48 year old married father of 3 living. My youngest daughter is 12 and has never heard my real voice. I am now having breathing issues related to the paralysis as well as trouble swallowing some liquids. In my research I have seen some recent trials focused on helping people like me."

      AG
      Paralysis PatientAge: 50

      "I've been struggling with ADHD and anxiety since I was 9 years old. I'm currently 30. I really don't like how numb the medications make me feel. And especially now, that I've lost my grandma and my aunt 8 days apart, my anxiety has been even worse. So I'm trying to find something new."

      FF
      ADHD PatientAge: 31
      Match to a Scleroderma Trial
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      Why We Started Power

      We started Power when my dad was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, and I struggled to help him access the latest immunotherapy. Hopefully Power makes it simpler for you to explore promising new treatments, during what is probably a difficult time.

      Bask
      Bask GillCEO at Power
      Learn More About Trials
      How Do Clinical Trials Work?Are Clinical Trials Safe?What Can I Expect During a Clinical Trial?
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      Frequently Asked Questions

      How much do Scleroderma clinical trials pay?

      Each trial will compensate patients a different amount, but $50-100 for each visit is a fairly common range for Phase 2–4 trials (Phase 1 trials often pay substantially more). Further, most trials will cover the costs of a travel to-and-from the clinic.

      How do Scleroderma clinical trials work?

      After a researcher reviews your profile, they may choose to invite you in to a screening appointment, where they'll determine if you meet 100% of the eligibility requirements. If you do, you'll be sorted into one of the treatment groups, and receive your study drug. For some trials, there is a chance you'll receive a placebo. Across Scleroderma trials 30% of clinical trials have a placebo. Typically, you'll be required to check-in with the clinic every month or so. The average trial length for Scleroderma is 12 months.

      How do I participate in a study as a "healthy volunteer"?

      Not all studies recruit healthy volunteers: usually, Phase 1 studies do. Participating as a healthy volunteer means you will go to a research facility several times over a few days or weeks to receive a dose of either the test treatment or a "placebo," which is a harmless substance that helps researchers compare results. You will have routine tests during these visits, and you'll be compensated for your time and travel, with the number of appointments and details varying by study.

      What does the "phase" of a clinical trial mean?

      The phase of a trial reveals what stage the drug is in to get approval for a specific condition. Phase 1 trials are the trials to collect safety data in humans. Phase 2 trials are those where the drug has some data showing safety in humans, but where further human data is needed on drug effectiveness. Phase 3 trials are in the final step before approval. The drug already has data showing both safety and effectiveness. As a general rule, Phase 3 trials are more promising than Phase 2, and Phase 2 trials are more promising than phase 1.

      Do I need to be insured to participate in a Scleroderma medical study?

      Clinical trials are almost always free to participants, and so do not require insurance. The only exception here are trials focused on cancer, because only a small part of the typical treatment plan is actually experimental. For these cancer trials, participants typically need insurance to cover all the non-experimental components.

      What are the newest Scleroderma clinical trials?

      Most recently, we added Stem Cell Transplant for Autoimmune Diseases, BMS-986515 for Autoimmune Diseases and ALLO-329 for Lupus to the Power online platform.

      Is there hope for scleroderma?

      Yes—although scleroderma still has no one-shot cure, survival and quality of life have improved dramatically thanks to earlier organ screening, targeted drugs that slow lung and skin damage, and even stem-cell transplants for the most aggressive cases. Prognosis varies by subtype, but many people—especially with limited disease—now live full lifespans when they partner with a rheumatology team, stay vigilant for lung or heart changes, and tap into clinical trials and support resources. In short, progress is real and ongoing, so there truly is hope.

      What is the best hospital in the US for scleroderma?

      No agency publishes an official “#1 hospital” for scleroderma, so experts judge centers by patient volume, multidisciplinary specialists, active clinical trials, and research output. Programs that consistently meet those benchmarks include Johns Hopkins (MD), University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (PA), Hospital for Special Surgery/Columbia (NY), Stanford (CA), Mayo Clinic (MN), Cleveland Clinic (OH), and Brigham and Women’s (MA). Ask any prospective center about how many scleroderma patients it sees each year, what organ-specific teams and trials are available, and whether telehealth or second-opinion services fit your insurance and travel limits.

      What triggers scleroderma?

      Scleroderma starts when a person who already carries several “risk” genes experiences an additional hit—most convincingly long-term exposure to silica dust or strong organic solvents, certain chemotherapy drugs (e.g., bleomycin), or, in a minority, an immune reaction linked to a recent cancer or infection. These triggers injure the small blood-vessel lining, the immune system over-reacts, and excess collagen is laid down, thickening skin and sometimes organs; however, in many patients no definite trigger is ever found, which is why avoiding heavy chemical exposure and staying up-to-date with routine health checks is wise but cannot fully prevent the disease.

      What would you not recommend for a patient with scleroderma?

      Think “anything that injures fragile skin, clamps down blood flow, or stresses the kidneys”—those are the main things to avoid in scleroderma. That means skipping tattoos or piercings; quitting smoking, vaping, or other nicotine; keeping fingers warm and steering clear of cold aisles or ice water; and avoiding medicines that tighten blood vessels (certain decongestants, non-selective beta-blockers, migraine ergot/triptan drugs) or high-dose steroids and other kidney-toxic drugs unless your specialist says otherwise. Review every new procedure or medication with your rheumatologist so safer substitutes or protections can be arranged.

      How much does it cost to treat scleroderma?

      Treating scleroderma can run anywhere from about US $10–25 k per year for milder cases that need mainly clinic visits, routine tests and inexpensive medicines, to well over US $50 k—and sometimes above US $100 k—when lung or heart complications require drugs like nintedanib, bosentan or prostacyclin infusions, frequent hospital stays, or stem-cell transplant. The number you personally face depends far more on disease severity and insurance coverage than on any single “sticker price,” so the smartest move is to have your care team outline the expected treatments up front and, at the same time, apply for insurer pre-authorisation and drug-company or charity copay programs that can slash out-of-pocket costs.

      Is scleroderma worse than rheumatoid arthritis?

      It depends on what you mean by “worse.” Systemic scleroderma is rarer but more life-threatening because it can scar internal organs; even with modern care, about 15–30 % of patients die within 10 years. Rheumatoid arthritis is less deadly but far more common and can severely damage joints and raise heart-disease risk if untreated. In short, scleroderma carries the higher risk of early death, while rheumatoid arthritis more often causes long-term disability—early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are crucial for both.

      What is a good supplement for scleroderma?

      Start by correcting any lab-proven deficiencies—vitamin D is low in many people with scleroderma, so your doctor may suggest 800–2,000 IU (or the dose needed to reach normal blood levels). After that, the best-studied add-ons are marine fish-oil (about 1–3 g EPA + DHA daily) and N-acetyl-cysteine, which small studies suggest can ease Raynaud’s attacks and digital ulcers; high-dose iron or vitamin A should be avoided unless you are clearly deficient. Always clear supplements with your rheumatologist or pharmacist, as kidney, lung, or esophageal involvement—and the drugs used to treat them—can change what is safe for you.

      What are the new treatments for scleroderma?

      Two medicines are now FDA-approved to slow lung damage in systemic sclerosis: nintedanib (approved 2019) and tocilizumab (approved 2021). Beyond these, several therapies are showing benefit in late-stage studies—B-cell depletion with rituximab, T-cell modulation with abatacept, JAK inhibitors, cannabinoid-mimetic lenabasum, and autologous stem-cell transplant—so a rheumatologist may discuss clinical-trial or specialty-center referral if standard drugs are not enough.

      How debilitating is scleroderma?

      Scleroderma ranges from localized skin thickening that is more of a nuisance to a systemic form that can stiffen joints, cause painful Raynaud’s attacks, and—if it scars the lungs, heart or kidneys—significantly cut stamina or even shorten life; fortunately, only a subset of patients develop these severe complications. Thanks to earlier diagnosis, blood-pressure drugs that prevent kidney crisis, medications that slow lung scarring, and physical/occupational therapy, most people now remain independent and 10-year survival is roughly 75–85 %, so close monitoring with a rheumatologist is key to limiting how debilitating the disease becomes.

      Does walking help scleroderma?

      Yes—done correctly, regular walking can help many people with scleroderma by improving blood flow to the fingers and toes, keeping joints and skin less stiff, and boosting heart-lung fitness and energy levels; small studies even show gains in grip strength and walking distance after supervised programs. Start with short, comfortable walks (5-10 minutes) on level ground, dress warmly to protect against Raynaud’s, use well-fitting shoes if you have foot ulcers, and have your doctor or physiotherapist adjust the plan if you have lung involvement or pulmonary hypertension. Think of walking as one part of an overall movement routine—aim for about 150 minutes a week of gentle activity, adding stretching or hand exercises—as tolerated and monitored by your care team.