Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (Scleroderma, SSc) is a connective tissue disease that affects multiple organ systems in the body. Evidence suggests SSc has been linked to malignancies such as breast cancer (BC). This systematic review characterizes the clinical links of patients diagnosed with both SSc and BD, with a focus on antibody markers such as anti-centromere antibody (ACA), anti-nuclear antibody (ANA), and anti-topoisomerase antibody (anti-scl-70+), and relevant demographic factors such as age at SSc and BC diagnosis. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed using relevant keywords and MeSH terms. Inclusion criteria included English language retrospective analysis that characterized patients with SSc with, or without BC. Two independent reviewers will assess study eligibility based on predetermined criteria. Data extraction will include patient antibody measurements, demographics (age, gender), family history, social behaviors (alcohol use, smoking history), concurrent conditions, treatments, and adverse effects following treatment. Thirteen articles were identified in the literature with relevant data of SSc and BC patients. Studies encompassed research pertaining to SSc patients with, or without BC, and relevant risk factors being measured. Adverse treatment outcomes and concurrent conditions of BC were found when patients had a family history of SSc, BC, alcohol use, or smoking history. Our results suggest that the presence of ANA, ACA, or ATA in SSc patients is correlated with BC, and that SSc diagnosis commonly preceded BC diagnosis. However, further research is necessary to advance the linkage between SSc and BC, and whether occurrence of one condition is linked to the other.