B cell Targeted CAR-T Therapy for Autoimmune Diseases
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Read ArticleChimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy has emerged as a transformative approach in modern medicine, demonstrating remarkable efficacy in targeting pathogenic B-cell lineages with unprecedented specificity.
Progress in GCA and Takayasu's Arteritis
Despite carefully planned taper schedules, about 75% of GCA patients remain on glucocorticoids after 4 years, and 74% experience side effects. In rheumatology, prolonged steroid use often leads to expected toxicity. https://t.co/l65ER5rGU8
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Retrospective, chart study of EGPA pts from 5 European countries (2015–2021). 381 pts classified as 36 prodromal; 220 eosinophilic; 125 vasculitic. Nearly half (185) were Rx w/ biologics. Vasculitic pts had most comorbiditie, clinical Sxs & hospitalisations. All on steroids and https://t.co/tgvjCFLHHj
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Observational study of 42 Mexican lupus nephritis pts on Immunosuppressives + Calcineurin Inhibitors (CNIs) @ 12 mos complete & partial responses seen in 26% & 36%, w/ signif reduction in proteinuria (2.89 vs 0.72 g/d, p < .001), & transient decrease in eGFR at 12 mo (109 vs 114) https://t.co/G70POtJwhS
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Retrospective study of 1553 IBD pts taking biologics or JAKi, w/ 5+ yrs of F/U, 6.8% developed MSK Sxs, with one-third subsequently Dx w/ SpA. HLA-B27 positivity (HR 3.7) and higher UC disease activity (HR 1.57) were associated with an increased risk of SpA. https://t.co/I2YSOLhkAb
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Treat-to-Target and Cardiovascular Benefits in Gout
A new user cohort study of 109 504 gout patients, achieving a serum urate level less than 6 mg/dL, was associated with a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular events.
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What did you miss at RheumNow Live 2026?
Our Poster Hall features new data across:
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• Lupus Nephritis
• Vasculitis
• Polymyalgia Rheumatica
• Axial Spondyloarthritis
From Phase III trials to real-world evidence, these https://t.co/JBFEyhtggc
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DERM on RheumNow PODCAST (February 2026)
The Derm on RheumNow podcast is a collection of Citations and Content curated for dermatologists – addressing Psoriasis, PsA, CLE, vasculitis, HS, and other CTD skin disorders. dermatology drugs, biologics, JAKs - their use, efficacy, https://t.co/1BPvxJrp7b
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
SATISFACTION (2.27.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.
https://t.co/IfbOUZV0dP https://t.co/nVxjdG8f26
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
IL-23i fails in GCA? Small RCT of 53 GCA pts (age 71 yrs; 60% new; 40% relapsing GCA) 35 given Guselkumab vs 18 on PBO. Wk 28 GC free remission in 40% vs 33% (P .64), also w/ similar flare rates (31% v 39%). results didnt supportguselkumab use in GCA. https://t.co/AMTmiDBc94 https://t.co/KdWTX9K2Bo
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Diacerin, an IL-1β blocker, compared to placebo in a 262 pt RCT of knee pain, Knee #OA w/ inflammation. After 24 wks, 88% completed the trial & (vs PBO) diacerein did not improve knee pain (−19.9 vs −18.6 mm). 42% had AE/ GI Sxs were more w/ diacerein (42% vs 25% PBO https://t.co/QabS3xLN85
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
CDC study of Death certificate data showed that btw 2018–2023, there were 14,936 #SLE deaths (43% w/ SLE as the underlying cause). Mortality rate per million: females 5.97 > males 1.16, blacks 10.7. Causes of death:heart disease (0.93), cancer (0.56), COVID-19 (0.51). https://t.co/qTe6O66wRO
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Hydroxychloroquine Lowers SLE and RA Hospitalizations
A population based study from British Columbia, Canada, shows that antimalarial adherence was associated with a lower risk of hospital admission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
Progress in GCA and Takayasu's Arteritis
I recently attended a fascinating lecture by Dr. Anisha Dua on progress in the diagnosis and treatment of large-vessel vasculitis, with a focus on giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu's arteritis. She opened with what felt like the most honest “state of the union” slide you can show a room full of rheumatologists: steroid burden is still enormous.
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Cross-sectional study of Joint hypermobility (JH) in 256 young adults (75% female) found JH in 42%, females w/ signif. higher Beighton scores. 88% had chronic MSK pain; 38% had acute MSK pain. MSK pain was signif higher in students with mild JH (BS 4–6/9 pts; P < 0.009) https://t.co/QZwJ9zHfEj
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
BREAKING NEWS: How many patients with RA achieve and maintain remission with a JAKi? Find out in the RheumNow poster hall with data from the latest real-world study of long-term RA remission. Sponsored by AbbVieMedical Affairs + Health Impact. https://t.co/PPYVfz3tuC https://t.co/Boq8V3qqFp
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
US Epidemiologic survey data from NHANES gout prevalence is incr. in RA pts vs controls (10.3% vs. 4.8%, P < 0.001), increasing trend over time. RA is as an independent risk factor for gout (OR: 2.67), strongest in SNRA. Evidence for the converse may not be as strong. https://t.co/VzDcJ2hTKw
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Equivalent Healthcare Outcomes by Nurses and Physicians
With increasing demand for health services in an aging population, serving complex patients with comorbidities, and increasing healthcare costs, the question of whether nurses can substitute for physicians was addressed by https://t.co/nKsFn7pUgw
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
OA & Exercise? Metanalysis of 5 reviews (n=8631) & 28 trials (n=4360) show little or no proof that exercise benefits OA. Exercise has small, short-term effects vs placebo & no-treatment for knee OA pain. Moderate evidence of no effects in hip, & small effects in hand OA. https://t.co/ycLGNlP8Sf
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
The prevalence of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Australia is 26,788 (16,294 certain, 10,494 uncertain cases). Betw 2010-2022 incidence was 77-127/100,000 (certain cases). About half had received SLE care in an outpatient setting. Australia is 1/13 the population of USA https://t.co/n1sbFNPRbn
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Video
From the Blog
Podcasts
Early Decisions and Impact: Risankizumab in Bio-Naive Patients With PsA Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
DERM on RheumNow PODCAST (February 2026)
SATISFACTION (2.27.2026)-
Referral Rules to Live By (2.20.2026)
Therapeutic Updates
5-Year Results of an IL-23 Inhibitor in Patients With PsA
Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
Dr. Alvin Wells and Dr. Shikha Singla share their clinical perspectives on using an IL–23 inhibitor to manage patients with PsA throughout their treatment journey in the context of 5-year data from the KEEPsAKE trial program.
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Poster Hall
