Understanding Scleroderma in Twins and the Role of Estrogen
Official title: Scleroderma Twin Study and analysis of Estrogen in patients with dcSSc
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11129920 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at how genes and environment affect scleroderma in twins and explores the role of estrogen in African American patients with a severe form of the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | December 24, 2012 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $130,189 |
| NIH project number | 5K24AR060297-11 |
| Project ID | NIH-11129920 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include twins with scleroderma and post-menopausal African American women and men living with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have scleroderma or are not part of the specific twin cohort or African American demographic being studied may not directly benefit from this particular research.
What this research studies
We are following up with a group of twins who have scleroderma to see how their disease progresses over time and if their genetic and environmental factors continue to play a role. We will also compare changes in their DNA over time to understand how genes are turned on or off. Additionally, we are studying estrogen levels in African American women and men with severe scleroderma, as we've seen a connection between estrogen and skin hardening in other patients. Our goal is to find out if estrogen levels are linked to the severity of scleroderma in this specific patient group.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could help us better understand the causes of scleroderma and identify new ways to treat the disease, especially for African American patients who often experience a more severe form.
How similar studies have gone: Previous twin studies have been conducted, and initial findings have implicated estrogen in scleroderma, suggesting a foundation for this continued investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Feghali-Bostwick, Carol a. — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Feghali-Bostwick, Carol a.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.