Recent News
Read ArticleA case-control study has shown that glucocorticoids and tapering glucocorticoids are risk factors for the development of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP). The authors provide guidance on the optimal timing for prophylaxis use and withdrawal.
Vamorolone: a New Steroid on the Horizon?
Vamorolone is a potentially new alternative to traditional glucocorticoids for use in inflammatory diseases. It is a dissociated steroidal compound with reduced side effects, and in an animal model of inflammation has shown effective antiinflammatory properties and reduced systemic effects, as compared with prednisolone. But will this hold true in humans and at higher doses?
Systematic review 21 studies showed potential of RTX with IVIg in autoimmune Dz - 10 studies on pemphigus (85 pts) - all Positive outcomes except 1 paraneoplastic pemphigus. Infections (eg, P. jirovecii pneumonia) seen in 3. 11 studies (24 pts) Rx'd neuropathies, CND lupus& https://t.co/o0RRUBIqmS
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Commemorating the 15th Anniversary of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (by Dr. Sara Yim, FDA)
- BPCIA enacted March 23, 2010
- created pathway for biosimilar approvals
- Now ~70 FDA approved biosimilars; 18 in 2024
https://t.co/dhST5vAJyT https://t.co/BWefr7k9hh
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
South Korean nationwide cohort study of 888,909 newly diagnosed #OA pts compared NSAID safety. Nephrotoxicity varied: lowest w/ meloxicam (aHR=1.22 [0.68–2.19]), higher w/ loxoprofen (aHR=3.9 [1.56–10.00]), celecoxib (aHR=2.4 [1.68–3.53]), naproxen (aHR=4.7 [2.16–10.24]) https://t.co/wfWIdoRQGO
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Congrates to Arthritis Research & Therapy on their 25th anniversay - 25 years of research and therapy in arthritis. Started 25 yrs ago by Drs. Peter Lipsky and Ravinder Maini https://t.co/4GFj9qktzr https://t.co/bUz0Ms0y6M
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
An estimated 118,000 people throughout the world have EGPA. Steroids & immunosuppressants have been the mainstay; but for managing EGPA. Mepolizumab (2015) & Benralizumab (2024) are FDA approved for EGPA. The latter (Fasenra) approval based on the MANDARA trial https://t.co/84W4sOig9d
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
To promote broader avail. of biosimilars in EU, EMA has proposed a new path for new biosimilars, omitting comparative clinical trial data, as long as biosimilar shows structural & functional comparability, w/ pharmacokinetic & interaction data (relative to reference product) https://t.co/24aTCuDwdO
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Joint Implant Metals May Be Leaking
Patients with metal-containing joint replacements had significantly higher concentrations of cobalt in their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) relative to patients without arthroplasties, researchers reported.
https://t.co/ubDhWqtTSL https://t.co/GjMnog8mcJ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
1st Line Biologics vs. csDMARDs in Adult Still's Disease
A German multicentre, retrospective study assessed the first-line efficacy of biologics and conventional synthetic DMARD therapy in patients with adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) and found biologic agents were https://t.co/EeSuBiYx5Q
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Review article shows that in psoriasis pts, adding #MTX to TNFi increases efficacy, but there is limited data on adding MTX to either IL-17 or IL-23. But in Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), adding MTX provides no added efficacy compared to biologic monotherapy https://t.co/FiSFIjpsXo https://t.co/ComFg253u9
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Upadacitinib for Giant-Cell Arteritis - A Phase 3 Trial
The NEJM has published a randomized controlled trial in giant-cell arteritis (GCA) patients, demonstrating significant efficacy and safety of upadacitinib (UPA), given as 15 mg daily, as compared to placebo.
A total of 209 GCA patients (70% had had new onset GCA) were randomized in a 2:1:1 ratio, to receive upadacitinib at a dose
Diagnostic delays and Undertreatment of Psoriatic Arthritis
EurekAlert!
New research from the University of Bath in the UK reveals delayed diagnosis and undertreatment of psoriatic arthritis often results in irreversible damage to joints.
Read Article
NIH Complimentary Medicine overview of Music Therapy - preliminary research suggests that music interventions may be helpful for anxiety, depression, pain control, dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, etc https://t.co/UGsfT7lITQ https://t.co/DrJm4JdEuY
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
EMA approved a record 28 biosimilars in 2024 for cancer, osteoporosis, macular degeneration, and immune-related diseases like plaque psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease https://t.co/NNzKRalLvF https://t.co/nfX082a7ON
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Systematic review 21 studies showed potential of RTX with IVIg in autoimmune Dz - 10 studies on pemphigus (85 pts) - all Positive outcomes except 1 paraneoplastic pemphigus. Infections (eg, P. jirovecii pneumonia) seen in 3. 11 studies (24 pts) Rx'd neuropathies, CND lupus& https://t.co/l1BZ7sObg2
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Consensus on Bone Turnover Biomarkers in Osteoporosis
A new consensus paper, published by the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases (ESCEO), the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), and the https://t.co/lq1odNBLdZ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Consensus Against Interventional Injections for Chronic Spinal Pain
BMJ has published a clinical practice guideline resulting from the work of an international, multidisciplinary panel addressing chronic spine pain (≥3 months duration) not associated with cancer or https://t.co/PfXM210PsZ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Vamorolone, a promising alternative to traditional glucocorticoids for inflammatory diseases.
◦ #Vamorolone is a dissociated steroid compound with reduced side effects.
◦ Unlike conventional #glucocorticoids, vamorolone lacks the hydroxyl or ketone groups and is resistant to https://t.co/yvDWqcbXbn
Alberto Giraldo @alb_giraldo ( View Tweet)
✅ IF YOU ARE LIVING WITH #LUPUS, you can now try #SLAKE, the ONLINE DIGITAL research tool for assessing your ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE about #SLE in English, German, Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, Français, Hindi, Indonesian, Dutch, etc... using the following LINK: https://t.co/nSCdBBMEcx https://t.co/PBAPkGynjP
Links:
Laurent ARNAUD @Lupusreference ( View Tweet)
Cancer Survival with TNF Inhibitors
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on https://t.co/V10S4oVFsv
https://t.co/MKJKAi0BPV
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
From the blog
The effects on rheumatologists and their patients living in Ukraine largely have been unseen by the world. At ACR Convergence 2024, I met Dr. Marta Dzhus who practices at St. Michael's Clinical Hospital in Kyiv; she shared her story with me about the humanitarian crisis in rheumatologic care in Ukraine because of the ongoing war. Here is an excerpt of our conversation.
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Podcasts
Biomarkers in RA
Cancer Survival with TNF Inhibitors (3.28.2025)-
ERA, APPs, & Alpha GAL (3.21.2025)
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World Changers (3.14.2025)
Therapeutic Updates
Biomarkers in RA
Sponsored by Augurex
Rheumatologist Dr. Walter Maksymowych discusses the role of biomarkers in RA care, with a focus on 14-3-3eta as a modifiable marker for diagnosis and monitoring disease progression.
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Poster Hall
