Abstract: A method of treating systemic sclerosis in a patient administers an IL-23 specific antibody, e.g., guselkumab, at an initial dose and subsequent doses in order for the patient to respond to the antibody and meet one or more of the clinical endpoints.

Abstract: A compound represented by the formula (I) [A represents a 5- to 7-membered hydrocarbon ring group; L represents —NR3—CO—, —CO—NR3— and the like (R3 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a lower acyl group and the like); M represents an alkylene linking group (a carbon atom constituting the carbon chain may be replaced with a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom and the like); X represents —S—, —O—, —NR4—, —NR5—CO— and the like (R4 and R5 represent a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group and the like) or a single bond; Y represents an alkyl group, an aryl group, an amino group, an aromatic heterocyclic group and the like; R1 represents a lower alkyl group, a lower alkenyl group, a lower alkynyl group or a lower acyl group; and R21, R22 and R23 represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a lower alkyl group and the like] or a salt thereof.