The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of scleroderma through the delivery of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) to a patient in need thereof, preferably under the control of a gene switch. In this manner, the use of a ligand activator to activate or deactivate the expression of MMP controls the gene switch. In another embodiment, the invention is directed to the delivery of autologous genetically modified cells transfected/transduced with a polynucleotide encoding MMP under the control of a gene switch activatable through the use of an activator ligand for the treatment or scleroderma.
