New hope for scleroderma: arthritis drug tofacitinib tested against skin thickening
NCT ID NCT07472166
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether tofacitinib (a JAK inhibitor drug) works better than methotrexate (a standard treatment) at reducing skin thickening in people with a severe form of scleroderma called diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Thirty-four adults with early-stage disease took either tofacitinib twice daily or methotrexate once weekly for 24 weeks. Researchers measured changes in skin hardness using a standard scoring system, along with joint symptoms and quality of life.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Tofacitinib (a JAK inhibitor drug) and Methotrexate (a standard immune-suppressing drug)
What this could lead to
If tofacitinib works better than methotrexate, it could offer a new treatment option to reduce skin hardening and improve quality of life in people with this rare autoimmune disease.
What could go wrong
This is a small, single-center study with only 34 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. Both drugs have side effects like infection risk, and the trial is short (24 weeks), so long-term benefits or risks are unknown.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Department of Rheumatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU)
Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh