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European Journal of Dermatology

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Coagulation factor XIII in scleroderma Volume 8, issue 4, June 1998

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Authors
Clinique Dermatologique, Hôpital E.-Herriot/Hospices Civils de Lyon, 69437 Lyon Cedex 03, France. INSERM U.98, Faculté Laennec, 69372 Lyon Cedex 08, France.

The ability of blood coagulation factor XIII (FXIII) to affect collagen synthesis and degradation led to its use in the treatment of scleroderma. Encouraging initial results were achieved principally in terms of skin sclerosis, musculoskeletal involvement and weakness. Further assessment of this treatment in scleroderma was abandoned when, following the HIV epidemic, FXIII use became strictly regulated. Safer concentrates are now available which may allow us to reconsider this therapy. This paper, which briefly reviews available data related to FXIII use in scleroderma and which proposes general rules for prescribing, is aimed at generating an open debate as to the need to widen the regulated use of FXIII to scleroderma.