Recent News
Read ArticleDr. Jack Cush talks of birthdays, Quizzes and journal articles this week on the podcast.
Another IL-17A inhibitor (Vunakizumab) for active Ankylosing Spondylitis
Vunakizumab, a novel anti–interleukin (IL) 17A monoclonal antibody, was studied in patients with active radiographic axial spondyloarthritis [r-axSpA] and found to be effective and tolerable. https://t.co/4WMLbcPLOs
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Fatigue in SLE
An NIH lupus cohort study looked at fatigue in SLE and found associations with organ damage, obesity, but does not correlate with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients.
https://t.co/63JVDUwu88 https://t.co/3dPOThMbMD
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Can’t attend #EULAR2026?
You won’t miss a thing.
RheumNow delivers:
📬 Daily summaries
🎥 Interviews
📊 Key data highlights
Follow https://t.co/V10S4oVFsv June 3–6. https://t.co/7Xdj94eFu4
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Early GI Involvement Predictive of Scleroderma Outcomes
Rheumatology has published a cohort study showing that earlyGI symptoms and overall symptom burden predict both GI progression and mortality in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc).
https://t.co/ftz6TeZv5Z https://t.co/Nw3wQ06VTq
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
NEW FROM ACR: Clinical responses with an IL-23i in patients with active PsA
See the efficacy and safety data through ~5 years in the RheumNow poster hall. Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact.
https://t.co/jejeZwo6is https://t.co/fuF3j3eO0S
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases Following Uveitis
A Korean insurance claims data study showed children and adolescents diagnosed with uveitis have a 7-fold increased risk of developing an immune-mediated inflammatory disorder (IMID).
https://t.co/NJI4369ygL https://t.co/6mHK8hYMeG
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
HCQ: 5 mg/kg/day Is Only the Starting Point
HCQ is one of the most important drugs in rheumatology, especially for SLE. It reduces flares, organ damage, cardiovascular events, and pregnancy complications, and it improves survival. Yet many clinicians still prescribe HCQ as if https://t.co/Fwr92tuZf2
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Does Exercise and Lifestyle Modification Improve RA?
Do exercise or lifestyle modifications reduce the risk of getting RA or change those with early RA? A current review and meta-analysis found no studies addressing the benefit in pre-clinical RA, but found evidence that https://t.co/Bvp3Ery5Fg
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
BE BOLD Week 16 data - Bimekizumab vs. Risankizumab in PsA
UCB has released the Week 16 results from BE BOLD trial that will be presented at EULAR 2026 in London on Saturday, June 6. This head-to-head trial demonstrates that at week 16, bimekizumab (BKZ) yielded superior ACR50 results compared to risankizumab (RKB) adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). These are the preliminary, week 16, primary endpont results of a longer blinded head-to-head trial.
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A Role for Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Lupus
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) have been strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of lupus, as their primary product, type I interferon, drive systemic lupus erythematosus and cutaneous lupus erythematosus. A recent comprehensive review synthesizes the available data on pDCs, and, importantly, what we still don't know.
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Does RTX work in CNS lupus? Japanese experience in 17 refractory NP-SLE pts Rx w/ RTX - 16/17 had significant improve. & 1 partial improvement -- none had NP-SLE relapse. Two died during COVID> https://t.co/GpCgpSxn37 https://t.co/PMz05MHBhj
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Press release of early study of IMVT-1402 (human mAb targeting FcRn) Open-label Rx in 170 active, refractory RA showed ACR 20/50/70 of 73%/54%/36% at wk 16. Next, Responders will do a blinded withdrawl - blinded results to follow. https://t.co/Mzmb3PPvMF https://t.co/oZ99l9VJQU
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
NLRP3 inflammasome activation triggers PAD (2, 4) release from human neutrophils, increasing citrullination of intracellular proteins (CCPs) and driving the pathogenesis of #RA. Further proof: , PAD concentrations and PAD activity correlate with IL-1β.https://t.co/pRQy0ECG5d https://t.co/SlLO35JhvY
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RheumNow’s global faculty reporters help translate the data into clinical practice.
Featuring:
✨ Dr. Janet Pope (@Janetbirdope)
✨ Dr. Yuz Yusof (@Yuz6Yusof)
✨ Dr. Jiha Lee (@JihaRheum)
✨ Dr. Mrinalini Dey (@DrMiniDey)
✨ Dr. Aurelie Najm (@AurelieRheumo)
✨ Dr. Bella https://t.co/0Pm0uUwRNf
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
True or False: In a registry of SLE patients, RNP-positive patients showed lower disease activity and less prednisone use. If you think you know the answer, prove it in this week's RheumIQ quiz at https://t.co/DTabBEfjj9
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Early GI Involvement Predictive of Scleroderma Outcomes
Rheumatology has published a cohort study showing that earlyGI symptoms and overall symptom burden predict both GI progression and mortality in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc).
Read Article
Kissei Pharmaceuticals announced 20 deaths related to receiving avacopan (Tavneos), a vasculitis drug sold by the firm in Japan. Drug was released in June 2022, since its been given to ~8,500 pts. Avacopan safety is being reviewed by FDA with Amgen. https://t.co/ri0nROCL5U https://t.co/jbksrWMFwI
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA has approved a dosing update for burosumab-twza (Crysvita, Kyowa Kirin) to allow for increased dose and frequency when needed in adults with X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH). https://t.co/EPyp6tDsaf https://t.co/1HEaQRk9BR
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Goofy study of the month! (pub in JAMA!) RCT 170 adults w/ chronic LBP + MRI disc herniation found that amoxicillin-clavulanate, 500 mg/125 mg bid x 3 mos did not improve pain at 3 or 12 mos (vs PBO). Whatha... https://t.co/njrw6itAP8 https://t.co/CW2ssNPxf1
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
From the Blog
Podcasts
Quiz Talk (5.22.2026)-
Infectious Rheumatology (5.15.2026)
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Influential Rheumatoid Factors(5/8/2026)
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Great Lectures; Great Presentations
Therapeutic Updates
Expert insights on the 2024 ACR Guideline recommendations for lupus nephritis
Sponsored by Aurinia
Two experts in lupus care offer a balanced perspective on applying the updated ACR Guideline recommendations and the clinical nuances of managing lupus nephritis.
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Poster Hall
Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
