Recent News
A cost-effectiveness analysis compared FDA approved fibromyalgia drugs (pregabalin, duloxetine, milnacipran) with amitriptyline and found duloxetine was the preferred strategy across perspectives.Read Article
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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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)
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/BbIS5rdRYU
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Methotrexate intolerance in rheumatoid arthritis
A current large rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohort study from Cairo assessed methotrexate (MTX) use and found over half were MTX intolerant and a third of patients were noncompliant with MTX.
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Canada's 2025 Top 10 Funded Research Projects
Arthritis Society
Arthritis Society Canada (ASC) is Canada’s largest charitable funder of cutting-edge arthritis research, investing more than $240 million in research projects since its founding, and over $7 million invested in 2024-2025. Below are the investigators and projects that were funded in 2025.
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“Play the game for more than you can afford to lose... only then will you learn the game.”
- Winston Churchill
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Full read review of the Mechanistic Effects of Methotrexate in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. https://t.co/PrMyZ7q3wX download here: https://t.co/aRnmRm770Z https://t.co/5B0mBjzOXQ
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
B Cells at the Brink in Sjögren Disease
The current issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology reviews the current understanding of the immunopathogenesis of Sjögren disease (SjD) and how this understanding has informed drug development for this systemic autoimmune disorder. https://t.co/p3dn1Ca2ag
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Clinical contributors to pathogenesis and treatment outcomes for rheumatoid arthritis. Full read review of pathogenesis and unmet needs in #RA https://t.co/IEC0tsp1Rk https://t.co/jIsqhy9rQh
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Roche Canada announced that Health Canada has approved obinutuzumab (Gazyva) for the treatment of adult patients with active lupus nephritis who are receiving standard therapy. Following four initial doses in the first year, Gazyva can be administered twice yearly https://t.co/P4dCVkoPCH
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Testing for RF, CCP, ESR and CRP
Check out the accompanying Advanced Practice Rheum: Rheumatoid and Inflammation Testing video.
https://t.co/4hkDO1M2UD https://t.co/APRKYLAS3k
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
