Recent News
Read ArticleLancet Rheumatology has published the ALTO results - long term outcomes of the APIPPRA trial, demonstrating that treatment with abatacept (ABA) in at risk patients can delay progression to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for up to 4 years.The Arthritis Preve
Giant Cell Arteritis Outcomes in Canada
A retrospective, cohort study of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) demonstrates relapses are common and seen in nearly half of patients, were common after treatment is stopped and is not effectively averted by methotrexate (MTX).
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Long term outcomes study of 22 pts w/ adult Stills. 16 (72.7%) completed LTE w/ mean observation 168.9 wks. 3/22 had serious adverse events, Tx efficacy ACR70=68% and 95% reduced in glucocorticoid doses w/ 41% in GC-free remission https://t.co/h0MvDLWGhD https://t.co/HDIKF7VMwA
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
2016 ARTIC trial tested T2T w/ MTX & "bridging" tapered Prednisolone (15 mg --> 0mg over 7wks) in 237 new DMARD naive RA pts. PRED discontinuation successful in 84% @7wks, 89% @3mos, 95% @ 24 mos. Only 5% require Pred @ every visit for 2 yrs. You can D/C pred! https://t.co/O23PHq81YP
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RheumNow Live Preview (1.30.2026)
Top 5 reasons to attend RheumNow Live 2026:
It's cold and far, but you can be there virtually, online
Full access to handouts, slides & downloads, and all session recordings
Saturday concert with Colin Boyd
Dr. Rohit Aggarwal does TWO STEP
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Aortitis in Giant Cell Arteritis Treated with Tocilizumab
The Tocilizumab in Giant Cell Arteritis Spanish Collaborative Group studied giant cell arteritis (GCA) with aortitis, comparing the efficacy of intravenous (IV) vs. subcutaneously (SC) tocilizumab (TCZ) - demonstrating https://t.co/GPt7sTzbpH
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Retractions in Rheumatology
Retractions in rheumatology are rising. An analysis of Retraction Watch data found 381 retracted articles (1989–2024), driven by misconduct or data errors. 68.5% originated in Asia, over half from China (50.7%).
https://t.co/I6WmceNi2m https://t.co/6z0jHPaiaR
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Which Fibromyalgia Drugs are Cost-Effective?
A cost-effectiveness analysis compared FDA approved fibromyalgia drugs (pregabalin, duloxetine, milnacipran) with amitriptyline and found duloxetine was the preferred strategy across perspectives.
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SGLT2 Inhibitors in Gout - Better Outcomes, Fewer Meds
EurekAlert!
Natalie McCormick, PhD, of the Rheumatology and Allergy Clinical Epidemiology Research (RACER) Center within the Division of Rheumatology in the Mass General Brigham Department of Medicine, is the lead author of a paper published in Diabetes Care, “
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Notch and TGFβ Signaling in Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis
Spatial transcriptomic profiling of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial biopsies (pre- and post-treatment) has revealed new insights into the pathobiology or treatment resistent RA.
https://t.co/vCvFpnIOvS https://t.co/EV6OihT0br
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
TOPKAT Trial: Partial vs Total Knee Replacement
Patients with osteoarthritis (OA) primarily affecting only one knee joint compartment did just as well with partial knee replacement (PKR) as with total arthroplasty after 10 years in a randomized trial -- and maybe a little bit https://t.co/SsTXAqs4Xr
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
DMARD Responses in Localized Scleroderma
JAMA Dermatology has published the results of a juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS) trial showing that mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and methotrexate (MTX) are equally effective in treating JLS, noting low flare rates and possibly better https://t.co/NIR0ejs1RL
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Potential New Rheumatology Drugs for 2026. These have had successful phase III RCTs and will need to be reviewed by regulators:
** deucravacitinib (Sotyktu) Tyk2 inhib for PsA
** Icotrokinra (Icotyde) oral IL-23i for psoriasis
** brepocitinib TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor for https://t.co/CQmfjIDMp3
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
The countdown is ON! 🕒 We are officially less than ONE WEEK away from RheumNow Live.
If Spondyloarthritis is part of your clinical world, you can't miss sessions with:
🔹 Dr. Denis Poddubnyy
🔹 Dr. Jessica Walsh
🔹 Dr. Catherine Bakewell
In Dallas or Virtual—don't miss out!
🔗 https://t.co/UM6j7TiNAA
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
NEJM: Aortitis Due to Large-Vessel Vasculitis
63yoM w/ Hx HTN c/o 3 mos of CP, palpitations, abdominal pain. ESR-104, CRP 85 mg/L. CT showed thickening of the thoracic & abdominal aorta. After 6wks Rx w/ AZA, HCQ, Pred, ESR/CRP still high and pt stared on SC TCZ w/ improvement. https://t.co/IWm3ZQLBUN
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA has announced "Breakthrough Designation" for 3 drugs + 1 test being developed:
** Biogen: litifilimab (targets dendritic cells) for cutaneous lupus
** Novartis: Ianalumab (BAFF blockade) for Sjogrens
** J&J: Nipocaiimab (FcRn) for Sjogrens
** Encarta: pocket Lyme test https://t.co/zODOTWyqP8
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Congratulations to Dr. Cheryl Barnabe for receiving the 2026 Distinguished Investigator Award from the Canadian Rheumatology Association, for her excellence in rheumatology research & clinical care. Dr. Barnabe is a professor at the University of Calgary https://t.co/xxNI8qR9sn https://t.co/zHkAOoyD7f
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Air pollution ups ANA+: Ontariio Canadi study of 3548 serum samples (2010-13) corrlated particulate matter (PM2.5) w/ serologies. Highest vs lowest quartile PM2.5 showed higher risk of ANA ≥1:640 (OR 1.46) & ≥1:1280 (OR 1.54). Pollution has systemic immune effects! https://t.co/fJrhypNE2A
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
The EMA CHMP has started a review of oral complement C5 inhibitor avacopan (Tavneos) based on serious questions about amendments to the data from the pivotal ADVOCATE study. The drug was approved in 2021 for use in GPA & MPA. https://t.co/a5ggUqk1dG
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
TOPKAT Trial: Partial vs Total Knee Replacement
Patients with osteoarthritis (OA) primarily affecting only one knee joint compartment did just as well with partial knee replacement (PKR) as with total arthroplasty after 10 years in a randomized trial -- and maybe a little bit https://t.co/MNpVeHQbJ2
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
From the Blog
Podcasts
DERM on RheumNow PODCAST (January 2026)
RheumNow Live Preview (1.30.2026)
Emergencies, Independence & Hemorrhage (1.23.2026)-
2025 Rheumatology Year in Review (1.16.26)
Therapeutic Updates
The Impact of Obesity on Psoriatic Arthritis
Sponsored by Lilly Medical Affairs
Obesity is common in PsA and may worsen disease activity and reduce treatment effectiveness through shared inflammatory pathways. Weight intervention may improve outcomes and support achievement of targets of disease control.
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Poster Hall
Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
