This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. This study has been designed to evaluate whether cyclophosphamide (a strong anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant medication, trade named Cytoxan) is better than placebo (an inert, no effective treatment) in preventing lung damage from scleroderma from getting worse. This rail will compare 2 milligrams per kilogram per day of cyclophosphamide (approximately 100-150 mg in tablet form) with a placebo that looks like cyclophosphamide but is inert, with allowances for dose adjustments for toxicity. In previous studies from several centers, improvement in lung function was reported to have occurred after starting cyclophosphamide. In one recent study, lung function improved by greater than 10% in 3/4 of the cyclophosphamide patients and in 1/4 of the non-treated patients. This study is designed toexamine in a scientific fashion whether cyclophosphamide does actually improve lung function in people with scleroderma with early lung involvement.
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