All News
H. Zoster Subunit Vaccine Efficacy with JAK Inhibitor Therapy
JAK inhibitors are known to increase the risk of herpes zoster infections between between 3-5 fold. Two recent reports suggest variable efficacy when JAK inhibitor (JAKi) treated patients are vaccinated with the recombinant herpes zoster subunit vaccine (RZV).
Read ArticleOral Surveillance Study Alters Practice at VA
Safety risks found in a postmarketing trial with the Janus-associated kinase (JAK) inhibitor tofacitinib (Xeljanz) appear to have influenced prescribing patterns across the class for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in the Veterans Affairs (VA) health system, researchers found.
Read ArticleCardiovascular and Venous Thromboembolic Risk With JAK Inhibitor Treatment of Skin Disorders
A JAMA systematic review and meta-analysis has showed the use of JAK inhibitors (JAKi) in immune-mediated inflammatory skin diseases was not associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), or venous thromboembolism (VTE) (compared to the placebo
Read ArticleChoosing steroid sparing therapies in PMR
Despite the official recognition of PMR as a distinct disease more than 60 years ago, patients with PMR are still largely treated with steroids (glucocorticoids, mostly prednisone). The persistent broad use of glucocorticoids in PMR is related to their quick initial efficacy in the majority of patients with PMR, their low price and the lack of alternative treatments and paucity of glucocorticoid-sparing treatments.
Read ArticleMethotrexate in OA (10.20.2023)
Dr. Jack Cush discusses the news, journal articles and regulatory actions. This week we discuss JAKne, DLE and SLE and more.
Read ArticleRA Associated Cancer Risk
A large cohort analysis of insured rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients reveals that RA patients have a 1.69 to 2.08 fold higher risk of developing cancer, especially lymphoma or lung cancer, within 1 year of RA diagnosis.
Read ArticleOral Surveillance Changes in Advanced Therapy Use in RA
The safety of tofacitinib and TNF inhibitors was studied in high risk rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in the ORAL Surveillance study, which culminated in an FDA warning in January 2021 on the cardiovascular, cancer and VTE risks associated with JAK inhibitor use.
Read ArticleBiologic Adherence and Drug Survival in RA Patients
A real-world rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohort study from Israel shows significant variability of drug survival using biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatics drugs (bDMARDs) and targeted synthetic DMARDs (tsDMARDs).
Read ArticlePizza and Rheumatoid Arthritis (8.11.2023)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the wonderful wide world of Rheumatology. This week:
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Tofacitinib in Polymyalgia Rheumatica (EAST PMR Study)
An open-label, uncontrolled pilot trial has shown that JAK signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of PMR and that tofacitinib is as effective as glucocorticoids (GC) in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).
Read ArticleEULAR/ACR Guidance on Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis/Macrophage Activation Syndrome
A EULAR/American College of Rheumatology task force has established evidence based, up-to-date guidance and expert opinion on the evaluation, management and monitoring of patients with Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), with the primary intent to halt disease progression and prevent life-threatening complications from HLH/MAS.
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Tofactitinib in PsA & RA: Nine Year Safety Data
Tofacitinib is FDA approved for psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but long term safety outcomes beyond a year are limited. A real-world, post-marketing surveillance of tofacitinib in PsA and RA shows a consistent pattern of safety with no new safety concerns identified.
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Anti-Drug Antibodies with Biologics (7.14.2023)
Dr. Jack Cush Reviews the news and journal reports on CVA, TKA, PJP, ADA, and more!
Read ArticleFilgotinib Effects on Semen and Sex Hormones
The oral Janus kinase 1 inhibitor filgotinib is available worldwide, but not in the USA, where the FDA held up its approval for use in RA due to unfinished studies of filgotinib's effects on sperm cells. The results of 2 phase two studies (MANTA and MANTA-RAy) confirm that filgotinib has no measurable impact on semen parameters or sex hormones in men with active IBD or inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
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