Emma Cheng

Here is my cover illustration for the June 2026 issue of The Lancet Rheumatology! ✨

When genetic codes unfold like slides, the paths of disease begin to diverge between men and women.

Systemic sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by progressive tissue scarring. Clinically, it presents a striking sex disparity: women are diagnosed far more often than men, with an approximately 8:1 female-to-male ratio, yet male patients often face a more severe disease course. This study dives deep into our DNA to explore how sex-specific genetic differences may contribute to these striking disparities.

Visual Details Behind the Piece:

- Glowing Points on the DNA Slides: The 7 glowing points along the female path represent the seven female-specific genetic loci identified in the study, while the single glowing point on the male path marks the one male-specific locus.
- 8:1 Patient Ratio: A total of 8 female figures and 1 male figure slide down toward the palm, mirroring the real-world female-to-male ratio of people affected by the disease.
- Pale Fingertips: The index and middle fingers on the supporting hand show characteristic whitening from restricted blood flow, depicting Raynaud’s phenomenon, a hallmark early symptom of the disease.
- Medicines in the Palm: The capsules cradled in the hand point toward the possibility of sex-aware precision medicine and more tailored treatments.

This one reminds me of The Starry Night. ✨

The last photo is my hand as a reference.

#gene #DNA #Rheumatology #sclerosis #lancet