BACKGROUND:Anifrolumab is a type I interferon receptor antagonist approved for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, real-world evidence on its use, especially from large, unselected cohorts, is scarce. The ongoing REVEAL study is designed to collect real-world data on anifrolumab use. The data reported here are the pre-specified 6-month interim analysis, which aims to provide a phenotypic characterisation of a large real-world cohort of patients with SLE initiating anifrolumab, and to evaluate early treatment response in routine clinical practice. METHODS:REVEAL is a 5-year, multicentre, prospective observational study conducted in 25 tertiary rheumatology centres across Italy. A pre-specified interim analysis was planned when the first 50 patients completed the first 6 months of follow-up; this analysis includes all patients who initiated anifrolumab by the data cutoff of Feb 10, 2025. Patients with SLE were consecutively enrolled on the day of their first infusion of anifrolumab, prescribed according to clinical judgement and Italian indications for use. Eligible patients were aged 18 years or older, had a clinical diagnosis of SLE fulfilling at least one set of established classification criteria valid at the time of diagnosis (1997 American College of Rheumatology [ACR], 2012 Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics, or 2019 European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology-ACR), had active disease warranting anifrolumab treatment (including compassionate use programmes), and were naive to anifrolumab. Data were collected at baseline and at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. The primary outcome was the number of patients reaching remission (defined according to the Definition of Remission in SLE criteria as a clinical SLEDAI-2K score of 0, physician global assessment score of <0·5 [on a 0-3 scale], with a prednisone-equivalent dose ≤5 mg per day, and stable antimalarials or immunosuppressants), Lupus Low Disease Activity State (LLDAS; defined as a SLEDAI-2K ≤4 [with no activity in major organ systems and no new disease activity], physician global assessment ≤1·0, and a prednisone-equivalent dose ≤7·5 mg per day), and LLDAS5 (a modified version of the LLDAS with a prednisone-equivalent dose ≤5 mg per day) at 6 months. Adverse and serious adverse events were also recorded. No people with lived experience of SLE were involved in designing or conducting the study. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT07215754) and with the Italian Medicines Agency (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco; ID number 247) and recruitment is ongoing. FINDINGS:Between May 25, 2023, and Feb 10, 2025, 236 patients were recruited and included in this interim analysis. Of these, 219 (93%) were female, 17 (7%) were male, 218 (92%) were White, and the median age was 46·9 years (IQR 36·0-53·6). At baseline, the median SLEDAI-2K was 7 (IQR 6-9), and the main indications for anifrolumab were mucocutaneous (157 [67%]) and articular (116 [49%]) involvement. At 6 months, 37 (26%) of 140 patients reached remission, 80 (57%) reached LLDAS5 and 93 (66%) reached LLDAS. One patient was excluded from the outcome analysis due to missing physician global assessment data. 108 adverse events were recorded during the 6-month follow-up period; of these, 83 (77%) were infections. Five serious adverse events occurred, resulting in six hospitalisations. INTERPRETATION:This study provides the first large-scale real-world evidence of anifrolumab use in patients with SLE, supporting its clinical benefit and rapid onset of action in routine care. FUNDING:None.
OBJECTIVES:To describe the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in SSc and Very Early Diagnosis of SSc (VEDOSS), identify clinical and serological features associated with GI involvement and explore a cranio-caudal pattern of symptom distribution, using data from the Italian SPRING-SIR registry. METHODS:This cross-sectional analysis included patients fulfilling 2013 ACR/EULAR SSc or VEDOSS criteria. GI involvement was defined as symptoms in at least one GI tract segment and categorized as upper and lower. Associations between GI involvement and clinical variables were assessed using logistic and ordinal regression models, adjusting for demographics, disease characteristics and autoantibodies. RESULTS:Among 1917 SSc patients, 56% had GI symptoms, associated with longer disease duration, dcSSc, interstitial lung disease (ILD), digital ulcers (DU), telangiectasias and tobacco exposure. Extensive GI involvement correlated with more severe disease. Ordinal regression identified female sex, dcSSc, ILD, DU, telangiectasias, tobacco exposure and anti-centromere antibodies as variables significantly associated with more extensive GI involvement. Disease duration did not show a significant association with GI symptom extent. Among 211 VEDOSS patients, 41.2% reported GI symptoms (mostly oesophageal), significantly associated with puffy fingers and dyspnoea. Among VEDOSS, puffy fingers and anti-centromere antibodies were independent predictors of presence of oesophageal symptoms. CONCLUSION:GI involvement in SSc is linked to more severe disease and longer disease duration. Disease duration resulted linked to the presence of GI symptoms rather than extent of GI involvement. Puffy fingers and anti-centromere antibodies may associate with presence of early oesophageal symptoms in VEDOSS.
OBJECTIVES:To assess the relationship between disease duration and the prevalence/distribution of nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) patterns, named according to the current classification as 'early', 'active' and 'late', in a large cohort of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. METHODS:A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 1689 patients undergoing standardized NVC. Clinical-serological data and treatments were collected. Statistical comparisons and multivariable logistic regression models were applied, including analyses based on disease duration. RESULTS:The prevalence of NVC patterns was as follows: 'early' 21.6%, 'active' 47.4%, 'late' 25.7% and normal/non-specific 5.3%. The distribution by disease duration showed that the three main patterns were always present. While the 'early' and 'active' progressively decreased (from 30.3% and 51.9% in patients with ≤5 yrs, to 14.6% and 43.5% in those >10 yrs, P < 0.01), the 'late' pattern increased from 13.2% (≤5 yrs) to 36.0% (>10 yrs) (P < 0.001) and was associated with internal organ involvement, anti-topoisomerase antibodies and more therapies (P < 0.01). Conversely, the 'early' and 'active' patterns were associated with the limited-cutaneous subset (P < 0.01) and anti-centromere antibodies (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis confirmed a strong association between the 'late' pattern and skin/peripheral vascular involvement. Notably, the presence of the 'late' pattern in patients with ≤2 yrs (10.9%) was significantly associated with scleroderma renal crisis (P = 0.012). CONCLUSION:SSc-NVC patterns are not strictly time-dependent and can be observed at any stage of the disease, suggesting that microvascular damage progression is heterogeneous across different disease periods. Therefore, a revised classification of NVC changes considering both disease duration and NVC severity could improve its prognostic accuracy.
OBJECTIVE:Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) use in limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) is relatively uncommon because of the lower fibrotic burden and the predominance of vascular complications. In vitro observations and clinical data from transplanted patients suggest a protective effect of MMF on endothelial function. Our aim was to evaluate the reasons for prescribing MMF treatment in patients with lcSSc and its impact on the need for escalation of vascular complication-related treatments during follow-up. METHODS:Patients with lcSSc enrolled in the Italian Systemic Sclerosis Progression Investigation registry were retrospectively evaluated. All patients treated with MMF were matched to patients not treated with MMF, which was based on a roll-entry time-dependent propensity score built on demographics, clinical features, and baseline treatment. The escalation of vasoactive or vasodilator treatment up to 60 months was defined as the introduction of iloprost, endothelin receptor antagonists, or phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors on top of the ongoing treatment, because of uncontrolled or newly diagnosed vascular complications. A hazards Cox model was also adopted to quantify the association of MMF treatment with treatment escalation. RESULTS:A total of 1,435 patients with lcSSc were evaluated, of whom 152 were prescribed MMF (17.1% male; mean age at lcSSc onset 48.7 ± 13.9 years, 54.6% anti-Scl70 positive). The prescription of MMF was more common in men and in anti-Scl70 positive, anticentromere negative patients with interstitial lung disease, myositis, and without a history of digital ulcers. After matching 107 patients with MMF-untreated controls, the overall incidence of vasoactive/vasodilator treatment escalation events related to digital ulcers over a median follow-up of 40.5 months (interquartile range 23.3-60.0) was 0.3 per 100 patient-years in the MMF-treated group and 5.4 per 100 patient-years in the matched control group, with a significant difference in treatment escalation-free survival between the two groups (hazard ratio 0.05, 95% confidence interval 0.01-0.38; P value = 0.004). CONCLUSION:In patients with lcSSc, the introduction of MMF has reduced the need for escalation of vasoactive or vasodilator treatment, suggesting that it may also help to prevent vascular complications, which frequently affect patients with lcSSc.
OBJECTIVE:Sjögren disease (SjD) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by increased risk of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Although cryoglobulinemia and serum monoclonal component (MC) are well-recognized paraproteinemias in SjD, no large-scale study has directly compared their isolated and combined impact on phenotype and lymphoproliferative risk. METHODS:A retrospective, multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted within the Italian GRISS registry. Patients with SjD were stratified into four groups: isolated monoclonal gammopathy (MC-alone), isolated cryoglobulinemia (CRYO-alone), both (MC+CRYO), or neither (controls). Demographics, lymphoma history, ever-documented ClinESSDAI domains, and laboratory lymphoproliferative risk-related markers were analyzed. Primary and secondary outcomes assessed lymphoma diagnosis and the distribution of laboratory lymphoproliferative risk-related markers and ClinESSDAI domains across groups, with associations tested using logistic regression adjusted for confounders. RESULTS:1202 SjD patients were enrolled: 58 (4.83%) in the MC-alone, 32 (2.66%) in the CRYO-alone, 35 (2.91%) in the MC+CRYO, and 1077 (89.60%) controls. Compared with controls, only the MC+CRYO group showed significant association with lymphoma (OR 6.30, 95%CI 2.66-14.92; p < 0.001), while MC-alone and CRYO-alone were not associated. Cryoglobulinemia, alone or combined with MC, correlated with laboratory lymphoproliferative risk-related markers such as rheumatoid factor (p < 0.001) and low C4 (p < 0.001), and with ClinESSDAI vasculitic features (cutaneous [p < 0.001], renal [p < 0.05], PNS [p < 0.001]). The MC+CRYO group additionally displayed a lymphoproliferative phenotype correlating with constitutional (p < 0.05), glandular (p < 0.05), hematological (p < 0.001), and lymphadenopathy (p < 0.001) domains. CONCLUSION:Cryoglobulinemia in SjD associates with vasculitic disease activity, whereas the coexistence of serum MC and cryoglobulins identifies a distinct, high-risk subset characterized by advanced B-cell expansion and increased lymphoma susceptibility.
ObjectiveBehçet’s disease (BD) may initially manifest solely with mucocutaneous involvement. This study aimed to identify demographic and clinical factors associated with subsequent intestinal involvement in patients presenting exclusively with mucocutaneous manifestations during early disease stages.MethodsData were obtained from the International AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance Network registry dedicated to BD; a Bayesian statistical approach was employed to address the limited sample size resulting from subgroup stratifications.ResultsIn total, 328 BD patients with exclusively mucocutaneous onset were enrolled; of these, 46 (14%) developed intestinal involvement over time. The risk of ocular involvement was higher among patients with intestinal manifestations (OR: 3.02, 95% CrI: 1.24–6.08; posterior probability: 99.3%). Minor aphthous ulcers without major aphthosis were protective towards intestinal involvement (OR: 0.47, 95% CrI: 0.22–0.98; posterior probability: 97.98%). Conversely, major aphthous ulcers increased the risk (OR: 3.25, 95% CrI: 1.50–7.02; posterior probability: 99.7%), along with the combination of oral major aphthosis with: i) genital aphthosis (OR = 2.77, 95%CrI: 1.14-6.58; posterior probability: 98.45%); ii) pseudofolliculitis (OR = 3.18, 95%CrI: 1.15-8.33; posterior probability: 98.72%); iii) genital aphthosis plus pseudofolliculitis (OR = 5.22, 95%CrI: 1.71-16.35; posterior probability of 99.77%). Pseudofolliculitis plus cutaneous manifestations other than erythema nodosum were protective against intestinal involvement (OR = 0.01, 95%CrI: 0.0-0.98; posterior probability: 97.55%).ConclusionMajor aphthosis was the strongest factor associated with intestinal involvement in BD patients initially presenting with mucocutaneous symptoms only. In such patients, intestinal involvement correlated with increased risk of ocular inflammation.
To identify the specific gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms associated with clinically relevant fatigue in systemic sclerosis (SSc), beyond the established association between overall GI involvement and fatigue. We conducted a cross-sectional study including consecutive patients with SSc fulfilling the 2013 ACR/EULAR classification criteria. Fatigue was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue) scale, with clinically relevant fatigue defined as a score ≤ 30. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and organ involvement data were collected. Individual GI symptom domains (GERD, dysphagia, bloating, diarrhea and constipation), together with the Medsger GI severity score, were analyzed. Bivariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate symptom-specific associations with clinically relevant fatigue. Among 115 patients, clinically relevant fatigue was observed in 42 (36.5
Although guidelines recommend a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach for the diagnosis and management of systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease-associated interstitial lung disease (SARD-ILD), they lack guidance on MDT composition and function. This Delphi consensus project aimed to define a shared MDT model for managing patients with SARD-ILD. A questionnaire was circulated to an expert panel of 77 Italian pulmonologists, rheumatologists, immunologists, and internal medicine specialists, with statements rated over two voting rounds using a 5-point Likert scale. Response rates were 73
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease characterized by persistent synovial inflammation and progressive joint destruction. Despite the implementation of the treat-to-target (T2T) strategy and the introduction of several classes of biologic and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs), a considerable proportion of patients continues to exhibit active, refractory disease. In 2021, the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) defined this condition as Difficult-to-Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis (D2T-RA). This study aimed to identify clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic factors associated with D2T-RA. Methods: A total of 344 patients with established RA were retrospectively evaluated. Among them, 164 fulfilled the 2021 EULAR criteria for D2T-RA (D2T group), while 180 did not (NO-D2T group). Clinical (age, sex, disease duration, BMI, smoking, comorbidities), laboratory (RF, ACPA, ESR, CRP), clinimetric (DAS28, CDAI, PhGA, PGA, HAQ), and therapeutic data (glucocorticoid use, methotrexate treatment and dose, monotherapy, advanced therapy exposure, number of failed advanced therapies, current DMARD regimen) were analyzed. Results: Factors significantly associated with D2T-RA included female sex, longer disease duration, higher RF and ACPA titers, elevated ESR levels, glucocorticoid therapy, and a greater number of failed advanced therapies. Although both groups achieved low disease activity or remission by DAS28 and CDAI, JAK inhibitors—particularly Filgotinib and Upadacitinib—were significantly more common in the D2T cohort and appeared associated with clinical stabilization. Conclusions: This study strengthens the understanding of the predictive profile of D2T-RA, confirming the role of disease chronicity and persistent inflammation in the development of treatment resistance. Importantly, the observed trend toward clinical stabilization achieved under JAK inhibitor therapy reinforces their potential to address unmet therapeutic needs in D2T-RA, providing a mechanistically grounded strategy for patients refractory to conventional and biologic DMARDs.
Background Tocilizumab (TCZ) has shown beneficial effects on interstitial lung disease (ILD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc). We aimed to assess the real-life safety and effectiveness of TCZ on several SSc-related domains using data from a French-Italian multicentre cohort.Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with SSc treated with TCZ across 15 referral centres. The following clinical data were collected at 12 months before TCZ initiation, at baseline and at 12 and 24 months of treatment: modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS), pulmonary function tests, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using C reactive protein, digital ulcers and cardiac biomarkers. ILD progression was defined as a decline ≥5 in %predicted forced vital capacity (%pFVC) over 12±3 months.Results 197 patients were included (88% female; median age 57 years; median disease duration 9 years); 67% were antitopoisomerase I positive. TCZ monotherapy was used in 29% of cases, methotrexate was the most frequent combined treatment (35%). In SSc-associated ILD, %pFVC declined significantly from −12 months to baseline (81% to 77%; p=0.003). On TCZ introduction, %pFVC stabilised and the proportion of progressors declined from 43% to 24% (p=0.015). Among diffuse cutaneous patients, mRSS decreased significantly at 12 and 24 months. Digital ulcers, arthritis activity and cardiac biomarkers also improved. Infections were the most frequent adverse events (22.8%). TCZ was discontinued in 32% of patients, mainly for inefficacy. Pulmonary arterial hypertension and older age predicted TCZ failure, whereas elevated CRP predicted better response.Conclusions In this large real-life cohort, TCZ was safe and associated with consistent benefits across different domains, supporting its role as a potential disease-modifying treatment in selected patients with SSc.
OBJECTIVE:To compare clinical features across three axial psoriatic arthritis (PsA) phenotypes: (i) isolated axial PsA, (ii) axial PsA with oligoarticular involvement (axial PsA+oligo), and (iii) axial PsA with polyarticular disease (axial PsA+poly), and assess persistence of first-line biologic and targeted synthetic Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (b/tsDMARDs). METHODS:Baseline demographic, clinical, therapeutic, laboratory, and imaging data were retrospectively collected. Kaplan-Meier analysis evaluated treatment persistence, and LASSO Cox regression identified baseline factors associated with discontinuation. RESULTS:Among 621 patients, 175 (28.2%) had isolated axial PsA, 252 (40.6%) axial PsA+oligo, and 194 (31.2%) axial PsA+poly. Psoriasis was more frequent in isolated axial PsA and axial PsA+oligo than in axial PsA+poly (82.3% and 82.1% vs 66.1%; P < 0.001), with lower Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA)-B27 positivity in axial PsA+poly (10.9% vs 18.9% in isolated axial PsA and 21.6% in axial PsA+oligo; P = 0.02). Sacroiliitis was more frequent in isolated axial PsA (70.3%) and axial PsA+oligo (65.7%) than in axial PsA+poly (53.6%, P < 0.001), whereas spondylitis was more frequent in axial PsA+poly (15.0% vs 8.3% in axial PsA+oligo and 6.3% in isolated axial PsA; P < 0.001). Treatment persistence was longest in axial PsA+oligo (62 months, 95% CI 43-67) and shortest in axial PsA+poly (38 months, 95% CI 24-49) (P = 0.006). Higher VAS global pain was associated with shorter persistence (aHR 1.010, 95% CI 1.003-1.018, P = 0.009), whereas HLA-B27 positivity (aHR 0.56, 95% CI 0.32-0.99, P = 0.045) with longer persistence. CONCLUSION:Treatment persistence in axial PsA varies according to clinical phenotypes, HLA-B27 status and pain, supporting the relevance of phenotypic stratification in clinical practice.
In rare and complex connective tissue diseases, patient partnership is essential to address diagnostic delays, fragmented care, unmet needs, and the research agenda. European Reference Network (ERN) ReCONNET, the network dedicated to rare and complex connective tissue diseases, has implemented a structured and transferable model of patient partnership. Patients contribute to every phase of research and care development: from identifying unmet needs to co-authoring scientific publications. Patient input also shapes educational initiatives and strategic planning. By institutionalising partnership through governance structures and shared decision-making processes, ERN ReCONNET shows that involving patients as equal stakeholders enhances the relevance, quality, and effect of activities. This Personal View was co-written with the direct partnership of authors with lived experience of rare and complex connective tissue diseases and reports a model that can be adapted to other rare diseases and rheumatological settings, promoting a culture of patient-centred innovation in health-care systems.
Background:The sequence and temporal relationship between Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and the first non-Raynaud's sign/symptom (NRP) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) have been partially investigated. Objectives:To evaluate whether the mode and ages of clinical onset are associated with disease endotype and survival in SSc. Design:We included SSc patients from the Systemic sclerosis Progression INvestiGation registry of the Italian Society of Rheumatology (SPRING-SIR) registry in a cohort study, with post hoc cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis. Methods:Patients were grouped based on age-RP and age-NRP quartiles. Additionally, categories were defined based on mode of onset: RP group-RP onset at least 1 year before NRP; Simultaneous group-RP onset within the same year of NRP; NRP group-RP onset after at least 1 year after NRP. Comparisons were made using Chi-square and ANOVA tests. Logistic, linear, and multinomial regression models were applied to assess associations, while Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression were used to assess mortality. Results:A total of 1748 patients were eligible: 682 (39.0%) in the RP group, 1026 (58.8%) in the simultaneous group, and 39 (2.2%) in the NRP group. A higher prevalence of anti-centromere antibodies was found In the RP group, while the simultaneous group had more diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc), anti-topoisomerase-I antibodies, and higher Rodnan's skin score (mRSS). The NRP group presented higher prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension. On logistic regression, the simultaneous group was associated with a higher prevalence of dcSSc compared to the RP group (odds ratio, 1.491, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.032-2.154). Younger age at RP onset was associated with lower systolic pulmonary artery pressure and mRSS. In 943 patients with available follow-up (median 24 months), the simultaneous group had higher mortality compared to the RP group (hazard ratio, 1.975, 95% CI: 1.002-3.893). Conclusion:The timing of RP and NRP onset may help define SSc endotype and survival. Patients with simultaneous RP-NRP onset have more severe disease features and higher mortality risk, emphasizing the relevance of onset timing in disease stratification.
Background: Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is a major extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), contributing substantially to morbidity, mortality, and patient burden. Its diagnosis and management require integration of rheumatologic, pulmonary, and radiologic perspectives. Multidisciplinary approaches may provide a practical framework for implementing personalized medicine by integrating clinical and immunologic heterogeneity into individualized care strategies, although real-world data remain limited. Objectives: To synthesize primary studies published between 2015 and 2025 examining diagnostic, organizational, educational, and clinical aspects of RA-ILD within a multidisciplinary care framework. Methods: A narrative review of original research was conducted using PubMed and major publisher platforms from 1 January 2015 to 30 November 2025. Search terms included “rheumatoid arthritis,” “interstitial lung disease,” “RA-ILD,” “connective-tissue disease ILD,” “multidisciplinary,” “diagnosis,” “management,” and “patient experience.” Reviews and consensus statements were excluded. Results: Fifteen articles underwent full-text review, and five primary studies met all inclusion criteria and were incorporated into the final synthesis. RA-ILD emerged as a condition requiring coordinated interpretation of imaging, pulmonary physiology, and rheumatologic features. Multidisciplinary evaluation may improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce unclassifiable ILD, and support differentiation of autoimmune-related from idiopathic disease. A global assessment of ILD multidisciplinary team practices revealed substantial variability in structures and processes. Patient-reported data demonstrated significant emotional distress and a need for clearer communication and coordinated educational support. Conclusions: Effective RA-ILD management depends on collaborative assessment across specialties. Multidisciplinary care may support diagnostic precision and provide a practical framework for personalized medicine by integrating clinical, radiologic, and immunologic heterogeneity into tailored diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
BACKGROUND:Cancer represents a major cause of mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Established risk factors are limited to specific subsets, particularly early diffuse anti-RNA polymerase III (POLR3)-positive disease, needing further exploration. METHODS:We performed a nested case-control study within EUSTAR: cases were SSc patients developing cancer at any timepoint; controls were cancer-free SSc matched for age and disease duration. Malignancies were classified as synchronous to SSc onset (±3 years), subsequent (>3 years after), or previous (>3 years before). Clinical, serological, treatments associations, and survival were analyzed. RESULTS:454 SSc patients with cancer (29% synchronous, 51% subsequent, 20% previous), and 454 controls were identified. Mean age was 55±13 years, disease duration 5±2 years; 88% were female, 27.5% diffuse SSc; 30.5% had interstitial lung disease (ILD), 32% anti-topoisomerase, 10% anti-POLR3. Synchronous cancers were associated with anti-POLR3 (OR 2.06, 95%CI 1.13-3.69), U1RNP (OR 3.56, 1.03-12.3), smoking (OR 1.57, 1.01-2.44), but negatively with digital ulcers (OR 0.55, 0.31-0.93). Calcinosis was inversely associated with subsequent cancers (OR 0.42, 0.17-0.93). Breast cancer showed time-dependent associations with anti-POLR3 and anti-PM/Scl; lung cancer was mainly subsequent and associated with ILD (OR 2.00, 1.12-3.54), anti-topoisomerase (OR 2.61, 1.38-5.04), and smoking. Cancers occurred more frequently in cyclophosphamide-treated patients. Malignancy worsened overall survival, particularly when subsequent. Radiation therapy did not impact mortality or new-onset ILD. CONCLUSIONS:Cancer timing and site identify distinct clinical-serological associations in SSc, with different prognostic implications. As cancers diagnosed during follow-up are major determinants of mortality, our findings inform the implementation of stratified cancer surveillance in SSc.