The first 5 congresses in Florence 2010, Madrid 2012, Rome 2014, Lisbon 2016, Bordeaux 2018, and two online in 2020 and 2022 have been a success contributing to the knowledge about systemic sclerosis all over the world. Colleagues from different specialties, junior trainees, health professionals and patients from all over the world have contributed to the high scientific profile of the congresses in interactive clinical and basic sessions. Along with the medical component of the congress also the patient program has grown significantly becoming extensive and well attended.

We believe that the 8th World Scleroderma Congress will be a significant challenge providing the combination of hands-on workshops, lectures, oral presentations and satellite sessions will provide an exciting mix of experiences that will be put at disposal to all attendees that devote their work to people with scleroderma.

We hope you will join us, finally to be all together in Prague in 2024 for a new and stimulating experience in the world of scleroderma.

The Steering Committee of the 8th Systemic Sclerosis World Congress

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Systemic Sclerosis World Congress – Archive

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6th Systemic Sclerosis World Congress

We believe that the Systemic Sclerosis World Congress will be a significant challenge for the scientific committee in the effort to provide an exciting and up to date scientific programme. The combination of hands-on workshops, lectures, oral presentations and satellite sessions will provide an exciting mix of experiences that will be put at disposal for all attendees that devote their work to people with scleroderma.
We welcome you to join us in Prague in 2020 for a new and stimulating experience in the world of scleroderma.

The WSF is the host and organizing body of the World Scleroderma Congress, which takes place every second year in differing locations.

6th Systemic Sclerosis World Congress

The first 5 congresses in Florence 2010, Madrid 2012, Rome 2014, Lisbon 2016 and Bordeaux 2018 were a significant successes. These congresses have contributed to the knowledge about scleroderma all over the world. Colleagues from different specialties, junior trainees, health professionals and patients have gathered together and they have profited by challenging programmes including clinical experience, interactive sessions and basic science. Along with the medical component of the congress, the patient program has grown with increasing attendance and extended lectures subjects.

We believe that the 6th World Scleroderma Congress will provide an exciting and up to date scientific programme. The combination of hands-on workshops, lectures, oral presentations and satellite sessions will provide an eclectic mix of experiences that will be put at disposal for all attendees. We welcome you to join us in Prague in 2020 for a stimulating experience in the world of scleroderma.

Further information is available on the website:

Website:

VISIT THE SITE

5th Systemic Sclerosis World Congress

The first 4 congresses in Florence 2010, Madrid 2012, Rome 2014 and Lisbon 2016 were significant successes. These congresses have contributed to the knowledge about scleroderma all over the world. Colleagues from different specialties, junior trainees, health professionals and patients have gathered together and they have profited by challenging programmes including clinical experience, interactive sessions and basic science. Along with the medical component of the congress, the patient program has grown with increasing attendance and extended lectures subjects.

We believe that the 5th World Scleroderma Congress will provide an exciting and up to date scientific programme. The combination of hands-on workshops, lectures, oral presentations and satellite sessions will provide an eclectic mix of experiences that will be put at disposal for all attendees. We welcome you to join us in Bordeaux in 2018 for a stimulating experience in the world of scleroderma.

Further information is available on the website:

Following is the programme:

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This 4th World Scleroderma Congress combined the best experience from the previous congresses, emphasizing clinically relevant developments in the field with a focus on aspects of care to improve the quality of life for patients with scleroderma worldwide. The combination of hands-on workshops, lectures, oral presentations, and sponsored sessions will provided an exciting mix of experiences that was put at disposal for all attendees.

Following is the programme:

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This third World Scleroderma Congress combined the best features of the previous two congresses, emphasizing clinically relevant developments in the field with a focus on aspects of care to improve the quality of life for patients with scleroderma worldwide. The combination of formal lectures, small seminars and interactive hands – on workshops ensured a valuable experience for all involved with scleroderma.

Following is the programme:

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Following the successful experience of the 1st World Congress in Florence, the second congress focused on clinical and translational aspects of systemic sclerosis with the aim of updating clinicians involved in the field. Based on the feedback from the participants in the 1st congress, more time was devoted to areas such as clinical problem solving, young investigator activities and networking between health professionals and patients.

Following is the programme:

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The congress aims to foster outstanding research into the cause(s) and understanding of systemic sclerosis and to increase clinical care and awareness of scleroderma, worldwide.

Between February 11-14th 2010, the first World Scleroderma Congress took place in Florence Italy under the auspices of the recently formed, Swiss – based World Scleroderma Association (w-s-a.net). The program included an intense program consisting of 34 didactic presentations from world experts, interactive workshops and case presentations covering all aspects of systemic sclerosis, with a focus on translational and clinical medicine. In addition, a patient-oriented teaching day and six industry-supported symposia were included.

Planning included both health professionals and patients. The resulting program was both broad and new. Innovative aspects such as a mentoring program for young investigators added texture to the congress. Support for this next generation of scientists and physicians was also evident by the 42 oral abstract presentations and 362 selected posters.

The anticipated attendance of 500 expanded to the enthusiastic attendance of 1500 physicians, scientists, patient groups and industry from 61 countries. Only space limited even greater attendance. Patients were represented by 129 members of the Federation of European Scleroderma Associations (FESCA), and even some patients from the Scleroderma Foundation of America.

The congress was officially opened in the Palazzo Vecchio by Alexander Klee, patron of the World Scleroderma Foundation (WSF), after a series of talks by local dignitaries and also , very movingly, by a patient who shared her difficult experiences dealing with this disease. Alexander Klee, also an artist, is the grandson of Paul Klee, a resident of Switzerland who succumbed to this terrible disease in 1940, aged 60, his later paintings and drawings graphically portraying his suffering. The WSF had its inaugural dinner on the evening of Wednesday February 10th in the beautiful Bellini Gallery in Florence, strengthening the theme of scleroderma and art.

Day 1                                                                                                                           11/02/2010

AUDITORIUM 13.15 – 14.15 Opening Lectures

– M. Matucci Cerinic.

– C. Black. Scleroderma – history and prospects

– F. Van den Hoogen. The EULAR/ACR criteria for the classification of systemic sclerosis

14.15 – 15.15 1st Session Vasculopathy & mechanism of fibrosis

– J. Varga. Mechanisms of fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis

– Prof. Oliver Distler. Vasculopathy in the pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis

– Y. Shoenfeld. Atherosclerosis and systemic sclerosis: Myth or reality

15.15 – 16.00 ABSTRACT SESSION

– J. Wei. Negative regulation of nuclear receptor PPAR-gamma expression and activity by TGF-beta: implication for fibrosis in scleroderma

– B. Kahaleh. Decrease Expression of Bone Morphogenetic Protein Type II Receptor in Systemic Sclerosis Tissues And in Endothelial Cells Leading to Enhanced Susceptibility to Apoptosis

– Y. Asano. Altered Dynamics of TGF-BETA Receptors in Scleroderma Fibroblasts

16.00 – 16.40 2nd Session – Pulmonary

– R. Silver. Interstitial lung disease in Systemic Sclerosis: Current Concepts and Future Directions

– J. Goldin. Quantitative Imaging of High Resolution Computed Tomography of the chest

16.40 – 17.10 ABSTRACT SESSION

– Y. Allanore. Genotype-Phenotype correlation in systemic Sclerosis: STAT4 RS7574865 is a relevant marker for Interstitial Lung Disease

– D. Khanna. Open labeled study of Imatinib Mesylate (GLEEVEC) in the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis- Associated Active Interstitial Lung Disease (SSC-ILD): preliminary results

Day 2                                                                                                                           12/02/2010

AUDITORIUM08.00 – 08.40 Special Session – EPOSS Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

– M. Humbert. Pulmonary Hypertension in Systemic Sclerosis

– P. Nash. EPOSS for Pulmonary Hypertension: working toward reliable, valid, non-invasive measurements of pulmonary hypertension in Systemic Sclerosis

08.40 – 09.30 ABSTRACT SESSION

– V. Steen. Pulmonary Hypertension Assessment and recognition of outcomes in Scleroderma (PHAROS): two-year Outcomes for Pre-Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

– W. Stevens. Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in an Australian Systemic Sclerosis cohort

– D. Khanna. Exercise induced Pulmonary Hypertension Associated Systemic Sclerosis: four distinct entities

09.30 – 10.10 3rd Session Musculoskeletal & Gastrointestinal systems

– Y. Allanore. Update on Musculoskeletal Involvement in Systemic Sclerosis

– T. McNearney. Gastrointestinal Dismotility in Systemic Sclerosis

10.10 – 11.00 ABSTRACT SESSION

– D. Duma. Cutaneous Free-Hand Ultrasound Elastography of Scleroderma Patients: potential tool for future measurements

– RG. Marangoni. Self-Administered hand and facial muscles stretching are effective in Systemic Sclerosis

– K. Frommer. Systemic Sclerosis Organ Involvement is Associ ated with Increased Adipokine Expression

11.00 – 11.50 Special Session – Scleroderma-Like diseases

– J. Kay. Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis: A Gadolinium- Induced Fibrosing Disorder

12.30 – 14.00 ACTELION SATELLITE SYMPOSIUM – Evolving Treatment Strategies for PAH Associated with Systemic Sclerosis – Optimising Management of an Aggressive Disease

– C. Black. Welcome address

– G. Valentini. Introduction

14.00 – 14.40 4th Concurrent Session I – Clinical Renal

– V.Steen. Epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes of renal scleroderma

14.40 – 15.10 ABSTRACT SESSION

– M. Taraborelli. Pregnancy and Systemic Sclerosis: an Italian prospective multicentric study

– S. Vettori. Impact of the European Scleroderma Study Group activity index on survival of Systemic Sclerosis patients from a single Italian center

– J. Pope. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is associated with high disease activity in SSC. Results from the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group (CSRG)

15.30 – 16.10 6th Concurrent Session II – Clinical QOL & Outcome

– D. Khanna. Minimum Standards of Care in Systemic Sclerosis: what every doctor should do when caring for a Systemic Sclerosis patient

– B. Thombs. How to improve health-related quality of life of patients with scleroderma

16.10 – 16.50 ABSTRACT SESSION

– U. Walker. Causes of death in Systemic Sclerosis- a report from the Eustar data base.

– M. Doveri. Systemic Sclerosis: outcome and long-term follow-up of 337 patients from a single Italian Centre

– S. Nihtyanova. Mortality in Systemic Sclerosis – Autoantibody Associations and benefit of early detection of internal organ complications

– S. Assassi. A Polymorphism In The Psors1c1 Gene Is Associated With Mortality In Systemic Sclerosis

17.00 – 18.30 ACTELION SATELLITE SYMPOSIUM – Managing the Different Organ Manifestations of Systemic Sclerosis – Focusing on the Patien

– C. Black. Welcome address

19.15 – 20.45 PFIZER SATELLITE SYMPOSIUM – SSc-PAH: the current outlook and future paradigms

– M. Matucci Cerinic. Introduction

– Y. Allanore. Clinical challenges in SSc-PAH
SSc-PAH: potential approaches in pharmacotherapy

– J.R. Seibold. Trial design and feasibility in scleroderma associated PAH

– Q + A session – Panel discussion.

VERDE 14.00 – 14.40 5th Concurrent Session I – Basic Immunological pathways

– K. Elkon. The role of the immune system in Systemic Sclerosis

– A. Aliprantis. IL-13 and Scleroderma in mouse and man

14.40 – 15.30 ABSTRACT SESSION

– T.R.D.J. Radstake. Modulating TLR Responses in Systemic Sclerosis via Heme Oxygenase-1

– J. Martin. Bank1 functional variants are associated with susceptibility to diffuse Systemic Sclerosis in Caucasians

– M. Nikpour. Prevalence and correlates of antibodies to RNA POLYMERASE III in Systemic Sclerosis

15.30 – 16.30 7th Concurrent Session II – Basic

– B. de Crombrugghe. Novel genetic mouse models of fibrosis

16.30 – 17.00 ABSTRACT SESSION

– E. Derret-Smith. Aortic smooth muscle cells show a Pro-Fibrotic Phenotype in a TGF-beta Dependent Mouse Model of Systemic Sclerosis

– N.H. Yoshinari. Characterization of a novel Systemic Sclerosis model induced by Type V collagen immunization in rabbits

17.00 – 17.45 ELI LILLY LECTURE

– Y. Allanore. Introduction
Management of PAH in CTD and new drugs in the field

ROOM-A 10.00 – 13.00 PATIENT PROGRAMME

– F. Wigley. Raynaud’s Disease

– J. Van Laar. Treatments for Systemic Sclerosis

– J. Seibold. Cardiovascular issues in Systemic Sclerosis

14.00 – 15.45 Joint Sessions

– B. Garay-Toth. Living with Scleroderma

– E. Furst. Coping with Chronic Disease

Day 3                                                                                                                           13/02/2010

AUDITORIUM08.00 – 08.40 8th Session: Cardiovascular

– A. Kahan. Microvascular involvement in primary scleroderma myocardial disease

– S. Silvera. Cardiac and Vascular MRI

08.40 – 09.30 ABSTRACT SESSION

– D. Launary. Characteristics, Survival and Prognosis Factors in Interstitial Lung Disease-Associated Pulmonary Hypertension in Systemic Sclerosis

– E. Schiopu. Pulmonary Artery Diameter is Associated with Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis (Ssc)

– R. Catar. Agonistic Autoantibodies Targeting Eta- And At1 Receptors Act SynergisticallyiIn Systemic Sclerosis Patients

09.30 – 10.30 Special Session – Early Systemic Sclerosis

– J. Avouac. Defining preliminary criteria for the diagnosis of very early Systemic Sclerosis (VEDOSS): results of a delphi consensus study from EUSTA

– M. Kuwana. Autoantibodies in the early diagnosis of Systemic Sclerosis

10.30 – 11.00 ABSTRACT SESSION

– P. Carreira. Influence of Age on clinical expression of early Systemic Sclerosis patients: a report from the Eular Scleroderma Trials and research group (EUSTAR) database

– J. Fransen. Clinical Prediction of 5-year survival in early Scleroderma: validation of a simple prognostic model in a Multi-Centre Study in EUSTAR Centres

11.00 – 11.40 9th Session Raynaud’s Phenomenon & Ulcers

– F. Wigley. Raynaud’s phenomenon: from pathophysiology to treatment

– R. Spence. Surgical Management of Scleroderma Digital Ulcers

11.40 – 12.10 ABSTRACT SESSION

– J. Pope. Associations with Digital Ulcers (DU) in a large cohort of Systemic Sclerosis: results from the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group (CSRG)

– S. Negrini. Endothelial-dependent flow mediated dilation of the brachial artery correlates with nailfold microvascular involvement and identifies endothelial dysfunction in Systemic Sclerosis

– M. Matucci Cerinic. Demographics and previous complications/ interventions in patients with digital ulcers and different subsets of Scleroderma: preliminary findings from the DUO Registry

Introduction 13.00 – 14.30 GSK SATELLITE SYMPOSIUM – PAH and CTD The burden of PAH and ILD in CTD: a challenging crossroad for the physician

– M. Humbert. Interactive case study: is it PAH or ILD
When is it ILD?
When is it PAH?
Do PAH-CTD patients really fare worse than IPAH? A review of the treatment evidence
PAH (ESC/ERS) Guidelines

– M. Matucci Cerinic. Discussion – The Crossroad, ILD & PAH

14.30 – 15.00 Lecture

– S. Gay. Novel Targeted Therapies and Epigenetic Strategies in the future of Systemic Sclerosis

15.00 – 16.00 Special Session – EULAR/EBMT Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Systemic Sclerosis

Adult stem cell transplantation in Systemic Sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases – update

– D. Farge. Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Systemic Sclerosis –ASTIS trial

16.00 – 16.30 ABSTRACT SESSION

– K. Komura. CD19 Controles BLM-induced Pulmonary Fibrosis

16.45 – 17.25 10th Session Treatment of Systemic Sclerosis

– J. Seibold. Management of Systemic Sclerosis according to stage and subset of disease

– J. Van Laar. Immunesuppression in Systemic Sclerosis: Past, Present and Future

17.25 – 17.55 ABSTRACT SESSION

– C. Kayser. Oral n-acetylcysteine in the treatment of Raynaud’s phenomenon secondary to systemic sclerosis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

– J. Pope. A proof of concept trial of GLEEVEC (Imatinib) in active diffuse Scleroderma (DSSC)