The invention relates to the prophylaxis and/or treatment of fibrosis and/or fibrotic diseases by means of antibodies. Above all, the invention relates to the administration of an anti-alpha-v integrin (receptor) antibody to patients suffering from fibrosis and/or fibrotic diseases, including but not limited to systemic sclerosis (SSc). More specifically, the instant invention relates to the treatment of fibrotic diseases of the skin, lung, heart, liver and/or kidney by means of said antibody. Even more specifically, the instant invention relates to the administration of a recombinant, de-immunized monoclonal antibody targeting αv-integrins patients suffering from systemic sclerosis, including, but not limited to systemic sclerosis of the skin, lung, heart and/or kidney by means of the anti-alpha-v integrin antibody DI17E6 and structural mutants or modifications thereof.
