Overview
Antisynthetase syndrome (also sometimes called anti-synthetase syndrome or ASS) is a rare autoimmune disease. This means the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues. The disease gets its name from special proteins called aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases — the immune system produces antibodies that target these proteins, causing widespread inflammation. The syndrome mainly affects the muscles, lungs, joints, and skin. The most serious complication is interstitial lung disease (ILD), a type of scarring and inflammation in the lungs that can make breathing difficult. Many people also develop muscle weakness (a condition called inflammatory myopathy or myositis), painful and swollen joints (arthritis), and a distinctive skin change on the hands called 'mechanic's hands,' where the skin becomes rough, cracked, and thickened. Some people develop Raynaud's phenomenon, where fingers and toes turn white or blue in the cold. Treatment focuses on calming the immune system using medications called immunosuppressants. Common treatments include corticosteroids like prednisone, and other drugs such as azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, rituximab, and tacrolimus. There is currently no cure, but many people can achieve good disease control with the right treatment plan. Early diagnosis and treatment are very important to protect the lungs and muscles.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Muscle weakness, especially in the shoulders, hips, and thighsShortness of breath or dry cough due to lung inflammationJoint pain and swelling, especially in the hands and fingersRough, cracked, thickened skin on the fingers and palms ('mechanic's hands')Fingers or toes turning white, blue, or red in cold temperatures (Raynaud's phenomenon)Fever, especially at the start of the diseaseFatigue and general tirednessDifficulty swallowing in some casesSkin rash on the face, chest, or hands (similar to dermatomyositis)Unintended weight loss
Clinical phenotype terms (44)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
10 eventsThe Netherlands Cancer Institute — PHASE1
University of Aarhus — NA
Wake Forest University Health Sciences — NA
Nielsen Fernandez-Becker — PHASE1
University Hospital, Akershus — PHASE4
Boston Children's Hospital — NA
China-Japan Friendship Hospital — NA
Ain Shams University — PHASE3
Boston Children's Hospital — NA
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Antisynthetase syndrome.
5 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Rare Disease Specialist
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Antisynthetase syndrome.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Antisynthetase syndrome.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Antisynthetase syndrome
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Safety of Endobronchial Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in the Treatment of Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Antisynthetase syndrome
New recruiting trial: Evaluation of the Impact of Interventional Treatments for Symptomatic, Severe Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency on Renal Integrity and Function, as Well as on Physical Function and Activity in Older Adults.
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Antisynthetase syndrome
New recruiting trial: PBMC as Biomarkers of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Antisynthetase syndrome
New recruiting trial: Mitigating the Impact of Stigma and Shame Among People Living With HIV and Substance Use Disorders
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Antisynthetase syndrome
New recruiting trial: Study to Evaluate CCS1477 (Inobrodib) in Haematological Malignancies
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Antisynthetase syndrome
New recruiting trial: Acupuncture First for IC/BPS
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Antisynthetase syndrome
New recruiting trial: Convalescent Plasma as a Possible Treatment for COVID-19
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Antisynthetase syndrome
New recruiting trial: Periodic Fasting for Treatment of Long Covid in Adults: a Pilot Study
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Antisynthetase syndrome
New recruiting trial: Clinical Study of Venetoclax Combined With Azacitidine as Bridging Therapy Prior to Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients With Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Antisynthetase syndrome
New recruiting trial: Clinical Microbial Species & Antibiotic Resistance ID in ED Patients Presenting With Infection - is Rapid ID Possible & Accurate?
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Antisynthetase syndrome
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Which antisynthetase antibody do I have, and what does that mean for my specific risks and prognosis?,How severe is my lung involvement right now, and how often should my lungs be monitored?,What is the goal of my treatment — to achieve remission, or to slow progression?,What are the main side effects of the medications you are recommending, and how will we manage them?,Should I see a pulmonologist in addition to a rheumatologist, and how will these specialists coordinate my care?,Are there any clinical trials I might be eligible for?,What warning signs should prompt me to seek emergency care or contact you urgently?
Common questions about Antisynthetase syndrome
What is Antisynthetase syndrome?
Antisynthetase syndrome (also sometimes called anti-synthetase syndrome or ASS) is a rare autoimmune disease. This means the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues. The disease gets its name from special proteins called aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases — the immune system produces antibodies that target these proteins, causing widespread inflammation. The syndrome mainly affects the muscles, lungs, joints, and skin. The most serious complication is interstitial lung disease (ILD), a type of scarring and inflammation in the lungs that can make breathing difficult. Many peopl
How is Antisynthetase syndrome inherited?
Antisynthetase syndrome follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Antisynthetase syndrome typically begin?
Typical onset of Antisynthetase syndrome is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Antisynthetase syndrome?
Yes — 5 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Antisynthetase syndrome on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Antisynthetase syndrome?
25 specialists and care centers treating Antisynthetase syndrome are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.