Since scleroderma involves aspects of vascular, inflammatory, immunological, neurological and fibrotic dysfunction, basic research may be directed towards some or all of these mechanisms. Although no definitive cure is available, major progress has been made in recent years such as controlling systemic hypertension with ACE inhibitors and pulmonary artery hypertension with endothelin receptor blockers. However, less success has been achieved for other aspects; methotrexate may improve skin thickening and cyclophosphamide has shown modest influence on interstitial lung disease. Other immunosuppressive strategies  are being tested, as are antifibrotic agents, but no major breakthrough seems imminent.

It is therefore mandatory to pursue various avenues, attempting to link all the interacting pathways and cells involved in a unified concept if possible. The WSF is dedicated to facilitate such interdisciplinary research at both the clinical and translational levels.