Imatinib treatment of therapy resistant generalized deep morphea

Morphea, or localized scleroderma, is a distinctive inflammatory disease that leads to sclerosis of the skin and subcutaneous tissue (1). It is distinguished from systemic sclerosis by the absence of sclerodactyly, Raynaud’s phenomenon, nail fold capillary changes, and organ involvement (2). The term deep morphea describes the microscopic changes affecting mainly the superficial muscle, fascia, subcutis and deep dermis. One of the more severe forms of localized scleroderma is generalized morphea, which is characterized by extensive cutaneous involvement, a persistent behavior, and poor response to therapy (2,3). We describe a case report of a patient with therapy resistant generalized deep morphea who responded to imatinib with improvement not only in her skin manifestations but her mobility and quality of life as well.