Calcinosis in Adult and Juvenile Dermatomyositis: Pathogenesis and Potential Therapeutic Targets.

Belina Y Yi, Christian Lood, Antonia Valenzuela

Journal: Rheumatic diseases clinics of North America 2025;51(4):655-673

PMID: 41161906

Full Text on W.B. Saunders View on PubMed

Abstract

Calcinosis is a severe complication of adult and juvenile dermatomyositis (DM/JDM), characterized by the deposition of calcium in the skin, muscles, and soft tissues, leading to significant morbidity. This review explores the pathogenesis of DM/JDM-associated calcinosis, highlighting the roles of chronic inflammation, neutrophil extracellular traps, proinflammatory cytokines, and mitochondrial stress. Current therapeutic approaches including anti-inflammatory agents and emerging treatments such as chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells are reviewed. Additional therapies targeting calcium metabolism are also examined. Despite the variety of treatments, there is a need for controlled trials with validated outcomes to understand the efficacy and safety of these therapies.

Address: Division of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Children's Center, 200 North Wolfe Street, The David M. Rubenstein Child Health Building, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.; Division of Rheumatology, University of Washington, 750 Republican Street, Box 358060, Seattle, WA, USA.; Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, School of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Diagonal Paraguay 362, Piso 6, Oficina 629, Santiago 8330077, Chile; UC CHRISTUS Health Network, Santiago, Chile. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2025.07.009

Link outs

Subscription / membership required

Full Text Sources:

MeSH Terms: Humans, Dermatomyositis, Calcinosis, Adult, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Cytokines