This clinical trial is focused on studying the effects of a medication called Itacitinib in adults with a condition known as systemic sclerosis. Systemic sclerosis, also known as scleroderma, is a disease that causes the skin and connective tissues to harden and tighten. The study will compare the effects of Itacitinib to a placebo, which is a substance with no active medication, to see if Itacitinib can help reduce skin thickening in patients with this condition.

The purpose of the study is to determine if Itacitinib can decrease skin fibrosis, which is the thickening and scarring of connective tissue, in patients with diffuse systemic sclerosis. Participants in the study will take either Itacitinib or a placebo for a period of 360 days. The main goal is to observe changes in the skin’s condition using a method called the modified Rodnan skin score, which measures the extent of skin thickening.

Throughout the study, researchers will also monitor the safety of Itacitinib, the activity of systemic sclerosis, and the overall quality of life and disability of the participants. This trial aims to provide valuable information on whether Itacitinib can be an effective treatment option for people living with systemic sclerosis.