Recent News
Read ArticleDr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com. Take this week's RheumIQ and test your knowledge!
FDA Approves Brepocitinib to Treat Dermatomyositis
Yesterday the FDA and Priovant annouced approval of brepocitinib (Lisraya), a JAK1/TYK2 inhibitor, for the indication of adults with dermatomyositis (DM). This is the first oral (once daily) agent approved for DM. Brepocitinibs efficacy was proven in the Ph III VALOR study of 241 DM pts Rx 52-weeks w/ both skin, motor and functional benefits.
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True or False: A meta-analysis of 61 studies found that exercise showed anti-inflammatory trends, including reductions in CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α, in most chronic diseases.
Test your knowledge in this week's RheumIQ at https://t.co/TBlB4pmnKa. https://t.co/7MxkveOuZE
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
JAMA Review: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
POTS is a chronic autonomic disorder affecting an estimated 0.1%–1% of the US population, with peak incidence at ages 13–29 and a striking 90% female predominance.
https://t.co/dAKlTp4VK3 https://t.co/A2UvgYOQN1
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
The Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF) will konor John Stamos with the Bob Saget Legacy Award at this year's "Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine" ceremony that will take place Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at the Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles. Proceeds will support the SRF https://t.co/VHIpBJrXd4
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Japanese study of 101 864 children shows fertility treatments (ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination, invitro fertilization) increases the risk of Kawasaki Dz. Incidence rates per 100K PYs - 274 for spont conception vs 391 for assisted conception (adj HR 1.42; https://t.co/Ro0beSXAAq
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Secukinumab in Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a common disorder of the elderly that responds well to glucocorticoids (GC), but is plagued by an inability to wean off of GCs.
Insights into Sjögren’s Disease - A Rheum Survey
RheumNow recentlty surveyed rheumatologists about Sjogren’s disease (SjD) - how they approach diagnosis, treatment, and unique challenges; all important as new advances in SjD evolves.
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Guidelines for Adult-Onset IgA Vasculitis
A EUVAS-sponsored expert panel of 37 specialists across rheumatology, nephrology, dermatology, and pathology published evidence-based guidelines for adult-onset IgAV, which behaves very differently in adults than the usually https://t.co/mNuL4TG9Ua
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Age-specific Incidence of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Epidemiologic estimates on SLE diagnosis are limited. The CDC National Lupus Registry network of population-based SLE registries has assessed and reported age-specific incidence of SLE by sex, race, and ethnicity. https://t.co/g5A7DMQIyp
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Phase 1/2 COMPARE trial of CD19 CAR-T Rx in 6 ACPA+ RA pts w/ severe refractory Dz; after lymphodepletion, given mivocabtagene autoleucel (miv-cel), followed < 52wks. All had CRS, No ICANSs or serious AEs. All had CD19 cell depletion & Decr in AutoAbs. Efficacy: 3/6 had ACR70 & https://t.co/qfSdq2g0rk
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Aortic inflammation (Aortopathies) occurs in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) including Takayasus, #GCA, SLE, RA, AS, SSc, relapsing polychondritis, Cogan’s syndr, Behçet’s, & IgG4-related disease). Dx imaging options: CTA, MRI, & PET/CT. Underlying path may be granulomatous, https://t.co/lKBhEnTcKB
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Does exercise affect inflammatory biomarkers? Metanalysis of 61 studies shows mostly low certainty evidence of inflammation-modulating effects of exercise. In most chronic diseases, exercise showed anti-inflammatory trends w/ reductions in CRP, IL-6, TNF-α https://t.co/EP74b3mVAT https://t.co/WBTHjsCzKL
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Spyre Therapeutics topline results of its anti-TL1A Ab (SPY072) in RA (n 133) sub-study: Phase 2 SKYWAY 12wk trial showed 2 doses SPY072 were signif better vs PBO for ACR20 (63% & 58% vs 43%), ACR50 (31% &38% vs 19%), DAS28-CRP reductions (-1.5 & -1.9 vs -1.3). TL1A inhib are https://t.co/S6gapB21uq
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Brepocitinib Skin Outcomes in Patients With Dermatomyositis
A secondary analysis of the VALOR trial has shown that the TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor brepocitinib was effective at cutaneous disease activity outcomes, delivering rapid, clinically meaningful, and remission-level control of cutaneous dermatomyositis (DM).
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JAMA Review: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a chronic autonomic disorder affecting an estimated 0.1%–1% of the US population, with peak incidence at ages 13–29 and a striking 90% female predominance.
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Ivarmacitinib (AKA SHR-0302) is a JAK1 inhib approved in China. Phase II/III RCT (NCT04481139) in active #AS Rx w/ ivarmacitinib 4 mg (n 187) or placebo (n 186) showing IVRMA @wk 12 IVRMA had signif better ASAS20 response(49% vs 29%) & ASAS40 (32% vs 18%). Also superior: total https://t.co/ilVtrQgHxR
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
🔥 Still’s Disease Awareness Day 2026
🐉 I Won’t Be Still: Making Still’s Disease Visible
Show us a moment from your life with Still’s Disease. 📸 Share a photo/video + what “I Won’t Be Still” means to you.
For 47 hours, let’s make Still’s visible.
#MyStills #StillsDay https://t.co/B7VNmlIOQj
Links:
AiArthritis @IFAiArthritis ( View Tweet)
CAR-T Reality Check!
The hype is outrunning the evidence, which now lives in a handy dashboard created and presented by Dr. Mike Putman @EBRheum. There are almost as many studies as there are CAR-T treated patients. Few numbers, limited F/U - Yet everyone is gaga about CAR-T. https://t.co/aCtA8il2fD
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
🆕 #AutoInflammatory / Periodic Fever Syndromes
In Memory of Dr. Dan Kastner🕊️
So grateful Dr. Kastner agreed to review this graphic >1 year ago, providing thoughtful input and suggestions to improve the final version 🙏
New Board Review Series for Rheum OnePagers 📟
#RheumX https://t.co/zx8dX2yHkA
Mithu Maheswaranathan, MD @MithuRheum ( View Tweet)
Video
From the Blog
At first, it seemed similar to many other such sessions – a circle of folding chairs, a group of colleagues whose visages exuded understanding and acceptance – but this was special. I started the meeting…. “Hi, my name is Artie.”
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Podcasts
DERM on RheumNow PODCAST (August 2026)
NME: New Molecular Entities (8.28.2026)
Label update: Structural damage progression in active PsA-
Rheum Scholarship (8.21.2026)
Therapeutic Updates
Make Rheum for Rads: Autoimmune ILD Diagnosis, Monitoring, and the Patient Experience
Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Drs. Elizabeth Volkmann and Robert Suh explore the roles rheumatologists and radiologists play in diagnosing and monitoring autoimmune ILD and hear from a patient about her experience.
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A JAKi After TNFi Failure in RA: SELECT-SWITCH at Week 12
Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
Dr. Christina Charles-Schoeman and Dr. Manish Jain are back to discuss treatment considerations after TNFi failure in RA. Join them as they review the latest data from SELECT-SWITCH, including post hoc results in primary and secondary nonresponders presented at EULAR 2026.
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Label update: Structural damage progression in active PsA
Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Medical Affairs
Listen to Dr. Catherine Bakewell’s review of clinical data from a recent label update.
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Poster Hall
Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
