Remission – Believe it or Not (10.2.2026) Dr, Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow. https://t.co/a4N5MnSJSl https://t.co/xdKi7nWFX7

T-cell engager blinatumomab (CD3xCD19 TCE) was used for Deep B-cell depletion in 15 resistant RA pts (MDR-RA). @wk 12 9/15 CDAI LDA, 3/15 CDAI remission. Synovial B cells were depleted (4 of 5 biopsies) but not in lymph nodes. Later, 14/15 flared. No ICANs, 3/15 w/ CRS (gr 1) https://t.co/ddLb7lIHka

Metanalysis of IVIG in scleroderma (11 studies, 363 pts) showed IVIG to be safe; signif improvement in skin by mRSS (SMD −0.59; p 0.0019) & GI Dz (SMD −0.73; p 0.0012; I2 = 0%). W/ inflam myopathy signif reduction in CK (SMD −0.53; p<0.001) https://t.co/h53FrACCgA https://t.co/qavoD3Vren

Biogen announced the 52 week OL results of AMETHYST Phase 2/3 RCT of litifilimab in 93 #CLE pts. Betw wk 24 & 52, pts improved w/ clear skin (27.2%; CLA IGA 0-1) & 29% CLASI-70 (dz activity) https://t.co/61zxVhUwuj https://t.co/9oGXGcom2m

2 cohorts of GC naive, suspected (n 185) PMR pts studied with MSK ultrasound - 67% Dx w/ PMR clinically. No single MSK US finding was ound pathognomonic for PMR. Best specificity (85-93%) was 1+ inflammatory lesion in both the shoulder & hip girdles https://t.co/XOXGeTBl5m https://t.co/3GADGo73l1

Using national survey data of adults (62-85 yrs) saw no change in Rx Med (84% vs 85%) or dietary supplement (66% vs 67%) use betw 2015-2016 & 2021-2013. But OTC declined (60% vs 55%; P = .04). Polypharmacy signif incr. Drug-drug interactions declined (26% vs 22%; P .02) w/ https://t.co/16xPyKS2aU

Ambient AI in Rheumatology Practice: Less Typing or Less Human? Rheumatology has become a sedentary, computer-based job. We sit at our computers to pre-chart, type during patient visits, and bring notes home to finish on laptops while sitting on the couch. Do you spend more https://t.co/zr56f7iCrJ

Danish national study (2003-2024) of 51,401 #PMR pts (24K PCPs, 27K secondary MDs): PMR incidence = 112/100K. PMR decr 53% in primary care & incr 30% in secondary care (overall 12% decline). Among PMR, GCA rate was 5.4/1,000 PYs, w/ median 68 days from PMR Dx. 28% & 22% were https://t.co/1VlI5r1r0L

Multicenter retrosp study 2865 #RA pts (dz duration 2 yrs) starting b/tsDMARDs (TNFi, IL-6i, RTX, ABA, JAKi) - 50% were on steroids (GC). At 3 & 6 mos, only 26% & 37% D/C GC. GC D/C more w/ JAKi (24 v 17%). Predictors on NON-D/C: Chronic GC, HTN, TNFi, RTX, ABA (vs JAKi) https://t.co/JSve6M9hwm

Petri SLE Pearls: An Update At the CCR West 2026 conference in Huntington Beach, California, Dr. Michelle Petri updated her Petri Pearls. Some are derived from new data, while others are from her extensive experience caring for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). https://t.co/SftiqcqbLa

Italian retrospective study of 36 difficult #GCA pts (89% relapsed; 72% prev TCZ) showed Clinical remission 85%, 81%, & 83% at 3, 6, & 12 mos. GC-free remission increased to 15%, 28%, & 40% at 3, 6, & 12 mos. GCs d/c in 43%. Results at odds w/ ph III GCAptAIN RCT where SEC https://t.co/ufCeaJnVXk

Serum Abs against IL-1 recept antagonist (aIL-1Ra) were studied in 46 adult-onset Still’s Dz (AOSD not on anakinra) pts & found signif. higher in AOSD vs controls (p=0.003); but levels did not differ between active vs inactive AOSD https://t.co/w6KvLyv1j8 https://t.co/IuQ1SHLDF8

Merck MSD announced positive results w/ tulisokibart (anti-TL1A) in MK-7240-012, Phase 2b DBRPCT in mod-severe hidradenitis suppurativa. Wk 16 HiSCR50 responses were 72% (hi dose), 64% (mid dose), 52% (low dose) vs 35% PBO. https://t.co/cvBH0fvCnI https://t.co/jo7JaXMItZ

Upadacitinib is now approved in European Union to treat active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) ages > 2yrs for those not responding to 1+ DMARDs. In the USA, UPA is approved for pJIA & juvenile PsA https://t.co/Vhx717rw5T https://t.co/hObov1Umgb