Recent News
This update includes new pandemic era evidence, recombinant zoster vaccine data, and new perspectives on vaccination in patients taking novel immunosuppressants. Five overarching principles and 10 vaccine recommendations follow.Read Article
CAR-T Cell Therapies at EULAR 2026
EurekAlert!
In an oral abstract presentation on Wednesday 3rd June, Fredrik Albach presented results for mivocabtagene autoleucel – an autologous, fully human CD19-directed CAR-T cell therapy – from Phase 1 of the prospective, open-label COMPARE trial in six patients with anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-positive, treatment-refractory active rheumatoid arthritis.
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Usual testing for SSA (Ro) pos. in Sjogrens identifies both Ro52 + Ro60 Abs, found in 70% of SjD. Pts who are double pos (Ro52+Ro60) have more severe dz, more Bcell activity. Ro60+ have milder dz; Recent report shows SjD pts have Ro60-specific CD4 T cells, activating Bcells https://t.co/SqoLICHOkS
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Prevalence of GI involvement in dermatomyositis (DM) was assessed in 2 cohorts (n = 167). Severe GI involvement seen in 18% NXP2+ & 6% MDA5+; more common w/ NXP2 than other DM (HR 8.85). NXP2 w/ severe GI dz were younger, facial edema @dx w/ both skin & muscle dz activity. https://t.co/5kNvAkTLc0
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
A Disease Seeking Its Identity: Peripheral SpA, PsA, and the SPARTACUS Evidence
For years, peripheral spondyloarthritis has been managed with a cautious, stepwise approach: start with NSAIDs, escalate to conventional synthetic DMARDs, and only reach for biologics when everything else fails. The SPARTACUS trial, presented at EULAR 2026 in London, challenges that paradigm head-on. The results make a compelling case for rethinking when, not just whether, to deploy TNF inhibitors.
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How Many CAR-Ts Do We Need to Test Drive?
Dr. Janet Pope reviews CAR-T therapy at 2026 EULAR 2026, and the issues and questions that remain with its use in rheumatology.
https://t.co/mxEjUeiTnj https://t.co/m60ZWKp5b6
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Looking for practical clinical insights you can apply today?
RheumNow Therapeutic Updates bring together expert faculty perspectives, emerging data, treatment trends, patient management strategies, and real-world clinical experience across rheumatology.
Explore the latest https://t.co/1rYrCG6EPJ
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Genicular artery embolization (GAE) in knee OA? Multiple open label studies & metanalyses suggest a clear pain benefit; BUT 3 sham-controlled RCTs have not demonstrated a statistically significant benefit over placebo. GAE is not addressed by ACR or EULAR guidelines. https://t.co/4JPm7gzCue
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
From Cytokine Endotypes to Clinical Reality in Still’s Disease
Recent EULAR 2026 data highlight a paradigm shift in Still’s disease from syndromic management to biologically informed precision therapy.
https://t.co/FrghBJdlXj https://t.co/CbHYDKbnK9
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Increased VTE Risk with Baricitinib
The RA-BRIDGE and RA-BRANCH studies were presented as a late-breaking abstract at EULAR 2026 (LB0009). This was the pooled results from two large FDA post-marketing commitment safety trials — RA-BRIDGE (global) and RA-BRANCH (US-only) — https://t.co/5cQ829x77u
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
The congress may be over, but the learning continues.
RheumNow's EULAR 2026 coverage hub brings together expert reporting, clinical commentary, daily recaps, podcasts, and key takeaways from the meeting's most important presentations.
Catch up on:
✔️ Rheumatoid Arthritis
✔️ https://t.co/TU6zIOvIy3
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Induction of Cure in Early Arthritis treated early DMARD-naïve Undiff. Arthritis (≥2 joints) w/ NSAIDs (29), MTX 15-25/wk (28), or baricitinib 4 mg/d (28) x 3 mos. Entry DAS ~ 2.4 w/ 2-3 SJC, <17%CCP+. @3 mos Bari > NSAID (DAS−0.52;p=0.01) = MTX (−0.39, p=0.09).@1yr MTX DAS https://t.co/1kKjginhKM
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Late-Breaking Studies at EULAR 2026
MedPage Today
Late-breaking abstracts presented at the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology's (EULAR) annual meeting, held here last week, addressed a wide range of clinical concerns and suggested that patients and clinicians have much to look forward to in coming months and years.
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EULAR 2026 Recommendations on PMR, GCA, and Takayasu Arteritis
On the final day of EULAR 2026, Mukhtyar et al (on behalf of a large international task force) presented the updated EULAR recommendations for management of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), giant cell arteritis (GCA), and Takayasu arteritis (TAK). There were 5 overarching principles and 12 recommendations.
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20% sample of elder RA Medicare pts (2009-2022) on TNFi who either stopped or tapered TNFi found 38% sustained de-escalation, while 62% re-escalated within a medianof 164. Re-escalation was more likely in Blacks, Hispanic/other, with a lower comorbidity burden. https://t.co/rEB3VdOii2
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
US telehealth utilization rose 10.1% in 1st quarter of 2026 (5% to 5.51% medical claims). Most use in mental health conditions (52%) w/ joint/soft tissue dz at 3% overall, higher in west & NE states. 57% for outpt visits, only 7.7% for new visits. 35% for psychotherapy services. https://t.co/L8c7p3iQPL
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
From BiTE to TriTE: Progress of T-cell Engagers in RMDs
At EULAR 2026 in London, T-cell engagers drew attention as a strategy to achieve deep B-cell depletion and drug-free remission in refractory RMDs. BiTEs offer off-the-shelf availability, reversible toxicity from short https://t.co/o8Tn77aYRg
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Nature has published that Hyperglycosylation is a metabolic driver of Alzheimer’s Dz (AD) & Glucosamine (GS; taken by ~7% over 70yrs) & GS may increase hyperglycosylation. A retrosp EHR study of AD pts shows glucosamine use assoc w/ accelerated AD progression & worse survival https://t.co/bv6H9h6gAv
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Long-term Cancer Risk with Targeted Therapy in SpA
Dr. Antoni Chan reports on abstract OP0238 presented at EULAR 2026 in London
https://t.co/f67SvKI6Vk https://t.co/fPp2H0aMoK
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Video
From the Blog
Podcasts
RheumNow EULAR 2026 Rheumatology Round Up
EULAR 2026 RA Topic Panel
CAR-T Topic Panel EULAR 2026
EULAR 2026 PsA Update What's Changing in P
Therapeutic Updates
Psoriatic arthritis and overweight or obesity
Sponsored by Lilly Medical Affairs
Dr. Merola presenting the results from TOGETHER‑PsA, a phase 3b trial evaluating the concomitant use of an IL‑17A antagonist and an incretin receptor agonist in adults with psoriatic arthritis and overweight or obesity.
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Poster Hall
Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
