Fresolimumab In Systemic Sclerosis

Inclusion Criteria: * Meet ACR criteria for diffuse systemic sclerosis * \< 24 months since onset of first SSc manifestation other than Raynaud's phenomenon * Modified Rodnan Skin Score ≥ 15 * Male or female adult ( ≥ 18 years of age) * Able and willing to give written informed consent and comply with study protocol Exclusion Criteria: * Moderate or severe pulmonary disease w/ FVC \< 80% or DLCO \< 70% or ground glass and fibrosis \> 20% of lung fields by HRCT * Treatment with investigational drug within 4 weeks of screening * Ongoing use of high dose steroids (\> 10mg/day) or unstable steroid dose in past 4 weeks * Treatment with immunosuppressive, cytotoxic, or antifibrotic drug within 4 weeks of screening * Positive for HIV, HBV, and/or HCV * Known active infection (bacterial, viral, fungal, mycobacterial, or other); not including fungal infection of nail beds or any major infection requiring hospitalization or treatment with IV antibiotics within 4 weeks of screening * Patients w/ history of malignancy or premalignant lesion * History of keratoacanthoma or squamous cell carcinoma * Moderate to severe hepatic impairment * SSc renal crisis within 6 months or creatinine \> 2.0 * Lack of IV access for medication administration * Moderate or severe cardiac disease with significant arrhythmia, heart failure, or unstable angina * Anemia (Hb \< 8.5 gm/dL) * Thrombocytopenia or blood clotting disorder * Patients with organ transplant (including allogeneic bone marrow transplant)