Eosinophilic Fasciitis
New eosinophilic fasciitis research, summarized each month in plain language.
2026 so far: From January 2026 to September 2026, reports added detail on steroid-based care and on EF reported after immune checkpoint inhibitors. A few single cases also described escalation options such as rituximab+IVIG and topical tofacitinib+UVA-1. Read the 2026 review
We also cover clinical trials.
Yearly update
2026 so far
- EF after immunotherapy. Evidence broadened from case timing to larger case collections.
- Escalation options. Several one-patient add-on strategies were reported, without comparisons.
- Steroids and methotrexate. Multiple cases described improvement, including during diagnostic clarification.
- MRI and biopsy. More reports emphasized imaging/biopsy when presentations were atypical.
- Fibrosis signals. Human tissue mapping and mouse modeling converged on one pathway.
New
September 2026
- Blood eosinophils. Normal blood eosinophils did not exclude EF.
- MRI findings. MRI showed inflamed, thickened fascia when biopsy was not done.
- Steroid-based treatment. Both case reports described improvement after steroid-based treatment.
August 2026
- Antibody test limits. A weak PM-Scl-100 result could point to another condition.
- Imaging and biopsy. Imaging and deep biopsy supported eosinophilic fasciitis.
- Steroids and methotrexate. Symptoms and eosinophil counts improved on steroids; methotrexate was then added.
July 2026
- Immunotherapy timing. EF reports often appeared months after starting cancer immunotherapy.
- Kidney testing. A case showed biopsies can check for monoclonal-protein kidney damage.
- Immune scar signals. CD8 signals were found near scar-forming cells, but not proven.
June 2026
- Delayed symptoms. Symptoms often began months after immunotherapy started.
- Common management. Reports often described stopping immunotherapy and using steroids.
- Reported improvement. About two-thirds had partial or complete symptom improvement.
April 2026
- Topical tofacitinib + UVA-1. In one case report, topical tofacitinib combined with UVA-1 phototherapy was followed by clinical remission.
- Worsened on standard medicines. In this report, skin plaques continued to worsen despite systemic corticosteroids and methotrexate.
- Tolerability in one person. The combination was described as well tolerated in this single patient.
March 2026
- EF after immunotherapy stops. In recent case reports, eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) started after immune checkpoint inhibitor treatment had already ended, not only while it was ongoing.
- Symptoms during steroid taper. In some reports, symptoms came back when steroid doses were reduced.
- Imaging can mislead. In one report, early imaging looked like lymphedema until the images were re-evaluated and found consistent with EF.
January 2026
- Rituximab plus IVIG in one case. In one difficult-to-control case, rituximab plus intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was associated with partial improvement in skin hardening and physical function over about 12 months.
- Escalation after standard therapy. The change was reported after symptoms continued despite corticosteroids and methotrexate, showing one example of how treatment may be intensified when disease remains active.
- Possible B-cell involvement. Because rituximab targets B cells, the report is consistent with (but does not prove) a possible role for B cells in eosinophilic fasciitis, and it is not a basis for routine decisions.
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