Recent News
In July 2026, JAMA concisely reviewed the bidirectional relationship between sleep health and obesity. Obesity affects roughly 40% of US adults and sleep problems affect nearly one-third. This review outlines the biological mechanisms and clinical interventions relevant to weight management.Read Article
Novartis & BMS CAR-T Cell Trials on Hold
Reuters and the Wall Street Journal report that both Novartis and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) have paused their autoimmune disease CAR-T cell trials due to safety concerns, including deaths.
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The global inflammatory myopathies market size was valued at USD 1.81 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 2.67 billion by 2033 (CAGR of 5.00%). This applies to: Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis, Inclusion Body Myositis, Juvenile Myositis, Corticosteroids, https://t.co/vb7zfM76pO
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Korean National Health Insurance claims study of 4,107 newly Dx gout on allopurinol x 24 mos (vs non-gout controls). Gout significantly higher risk of fractures (aHR 5.52_; 95% CI 4.19–7.26), highest in those with low-adherence to allopurinol (aHR 5.91). Consistent trends seen https://t.co/cTO4lGtYAy
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Rheum Survey> What effect does obesity have on #Lupus pts?
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Metanalysis looked at neutrophil to Lymph ration (NLR) in SLE - 31 studies, 4,006 SLE pts. NLR signif incr in SLE worldwide. NLR was higher in Active vs inactive SLE, and showed a significant but moderate correlation w/ SLEDAI (CC=0.354, p < 0.001). https://t.co/ROG5L4nfo2 https://t.co/9mqqId45lG
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Small series of 5 Idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) pts Rx w/ obinutuzumab for refractory myositis (2 antisynthetase syndr, 1 DM, 2 overlap myositis). 4/5 patients achieved complete response. Lung improved/stabilized in ILD patients. Two required second obinutuzumab cycle. https://t.co/0uW6xXQQ2S
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Ro52 Abs in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). From 2,126 IIM China/Japan pts, Ro52 positivity was common (46%), esp in MDA5+ DM & anti-synthetase syndr (ASyS) & was assoc w/ high freq of ILD, rapidly progressive ILD, and poor prognosis. https://t.co/may6ZTJkvt https://t.co/EuinNbZUm7
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DERM on RheumNow PODCAST (August 2026)
The Derm on RheumNow podcast is a review of recent citations and content curated for dermatologists – addressing Psoriasis, PsA, CLE, vasculitis, HS, CTD skin disorders. Dermatology drugs, biologics, and JAK inhibitors - their use, https://t.co/u2sJqCgDJS
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EUSTAR Registry - Cancer in Systemic Sclerosis
Cancer is a major cause of mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc). A nested case-control study within EUSTAR registry shows distinct patterns of cancer related temporally to SSc, serologic profiles and traditional cancer risk factors.
FDA Approves Brepocitinib to Treat Dermatomyositis
The FDA and Priovant recently annouced approval of brepocitinib (Lisraya), a JAK1/TYK2 inhibitor, for the indication of adults with dermatomyositis (DM). This is the first oral (once daily) agent approved for DM.
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Rheums! Do you have a Rheumatology question or case for Dr. Cush? Record it here, and we may feature it on an upcoming podcast. Tell us your name and where you practice rheumatology.
https://t.co/LZ59KW8HdA https://t.co/DwHdvpTYax
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Secukinumab in Polymyalgia Rheumatica
PMR is a common disorder of the elderly that responds well to GC, but is plagued by an inability to wean off of GCs. The NEJM has published the results of the REPLENISH trial demonstrating that secukinumab (an interleukin-17A inhibitor) is https://t.co/ijkHKC7IWJ
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Insights into Sjögren’s Disease - A Rheum Survey
In August 2026, RheumNow surveyed rheumatologists about Sjogren’s disease (SjD) - how they approach diagnosis, treatment, and unique challenges; all important as new advances in SjD evolves.
https://t.co/kCfCNl3xnW https://t.co/rhj3UL4JuM
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
SELECT-PsA 2 subanalysis of 195 active PsA not responding to TNFi shows switching to upadacitinib 15 (vs PB) was superior @wk 24 - ACR20 (58% vs 22%), ACR50 (38% vs 9.5%), ACR70 (22% vs 0%), MDA (24% vs 3%) & maintained thru wk 152. Switching MOAs makes sense! https://t.co/YEkZuQ95Mu
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
True or False: Compared to adult systemic sclerosis, juvenile systemic sclerosis is more commonly associated with diffuse cutaneous disease and renal crisis.
Test your knowledge in this week's RheumIQ at https://t.co/TBlB4pmnKa. https://t.co/q4wlnCQsny
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Resolved HBV infx (HBsAg-neg/anti-HBc+) retrospective study of HBc seroclearance in 230 pts Rx w/ anti-CD20 mAb. anti-HBc seroclearance seen in 16.5% (assoc w/ Younger age, less CD20 Rx, MMF Rx). HBV reactivation seen 5/230 (2.2%), including two w/ HBc seroclearance. HBc https://t.co/T0gfxftOgu
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
JAK inhibitors work & have a dose dependent effect in severe alopecia areata (AA). Metanalysis of 10 Rxs, 3866 AA pts (used the SALT20 endpoint) showed the best efficacy was deuruxolitinib_12 mg, and baricitinib_4 mg (OR: 2.59, 95% CI: 1.98–3.38). https://t.co/k86f2RvCEJ https://t.co/N1fsrbbmDw
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Phase 1/2 COMPARE trial of CD19 CAR-T Rx in 6 ACPA+ RA pts w/ severe refractory Dz; after lymphodepletion, given mivocabtagene autoleucel (miv-cel), followed < 52wks. All had CRS, No ICANSs or serious AEs. All had CD19 cell depletion & Decr in AutoAbs. Efficacy: 3/6 had ACR70 & https://t.co/28dWMGWbKB
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
“Common sense is the measure of the possible; it is composed of experience and prevision; it is calculation applied to life”
- Henri Frederic Ami
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Video
From the Blog
At first, it seemed similar to many other such sessions – a circle of folding chairs, a group of colleagues whose visages exuded understanding and acceptance – but this was special. I started the meeting…. “Hi, my name is Artie.”
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Podcasts
A Day in the Life of a Rheumatology APP: A Focus on Interstitial Lung Disease” (hosted by Amanda Mixon, PA-C)
DERM on RheumNow PODCAST (August 2026)
NME: New Molecular Entities (8.28.2026)-
Label update: Structural damage progression in active PsA
Therapeutic Updates
Label update: Structural damage progression in active PsA
Sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Medical Affairs
Listen to Dr. Catherine Bakewell’s review of clinical data from a recent label update.
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Poster Hall
Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
