Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Established diagnosis of SSc according to the 2013 ACR/EULAR criteria * At least one active digital ulcer (painful area, \>2 mm in diameter with visible depth and loss of dermis) refractory to intravenous prostacyclins * 'Refractory to prostacyclins' is defined as * Worsening of ulcer(s) within 1 month after prostacyclins iv * No improvement of ulcer(s) after 2 months after prostacyclins iv, as judged by the referring physician * Recurrence of exactly the same ulcer(s) (same location) within 3 months after prostacyclins iv * Written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Ulcer with underlying calcinosis (ruled out by X-ray prior to screening/inclusion) * History of neoplasm or malignancy in the past 10 years * Pregnancy or unwillingness to use adequate contraception during study * Serious known concomitant disease with life expectancy \<1 year * Uncontrolled hypertension * Uncontrolled acute or chronic infection with systemic symptoms (e.g. fever) * Follow-up impossible