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Hitting the Target: T2T Therapy in SLE
Treat-to-target strategies are not a new concept in rheumatology. It has shown to improve patient outcomes and quality of life in RA and PsA, and is now being increasingly adopted not only in SLE research but also in clinical practice. This article reviews key highlights from Dr. Eric Morand’s plenary session lecture on Treat to Target in SLE: Current Evidence and Future Directions, presented during the recent APLAR 2025 Congress.
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RheumNow Podcast – Ro, Ro, Ro52 (9.12.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. Are there benefits to diet or vegan diets? What's the effect of menopause on CTD? Ro52 makes a big entrance with all our ILD coverage this month.
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SMART study - Single vs. Split Dose Methotrexate in RA
Split dose weekly, oral methotrexate (MTX) was shown to be superior to single dose MTX in treating active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
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Lessons Learned in Neuropsychiatric SLE
Dr. Sheila Reyes, The Philippines, reports highlights from a session on neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus, presented at the APLAR 2025 Congress in Fukuoka, Japan.
https://t.co/Dh1GQnBhvg https://t.co/wX5FgpIq7C
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
PAH diagnosis and management in the context of CTD ILD
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious complication of connective tissue disorders (CTD), affecting about 25% of PAH patients. CTD-PAH is the second most common cause after the idiopathic form. PAH involves high https://t.co/UgsdYWv02S
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
QD Clinic Video: RA and Bronchiectasis
Dr. Jeffrey Sparks, Boston, talks about rheumatoid arthritis and bronchiectasis as part of RheumNow's Rheum to Breathe: ILD campaign, presented throughout the month of September 2025.
https://t.co/Y2u3m4rFfj https://t.co/KgrIxXlQo4
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
STOP-RA results published in A&R. 144 at risk, CCP+ pts were enrolled to received HCQ vs PBO for 12 mos, w/ 24 mos F/U. Progression to RA seen in 30.4% on HCQ vs 32.9% on PBO (NS; P=0.52). Also IA, Jt Sxs, severity & adverse events were similar between groups.
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
TNR: Future Treatment of ILD
This Tuesday Night Rheumatology webinar reviewed ACR and EULAR guidelines on interstitial lung disease, with a focus on ‘where are we now and where are we going?’ in regards to treatment strategies and emerging therapies in ILD care. https://t.co/F1fJhWgR5O
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
AbbVie's US patent protection for Rinvoq (upadacitinib) will run till April 2037. SEC filing shows AbbVie has reached an agreement with generic manufacturers challenging Rinvoq patents. UPA is their 2nd leading product with nearly $3.75 billion worldwide sales in 1st 1/2 of
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Antifibrotics - A New Class of Therapies in Rheumatology?
Rheumatologists typically manage systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD) and associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) with immunosuppressants. However, evidence increasingly supports also the use of antifibrotic https://t.co/IobQagC0ZE
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
9 yr. study of anti-Ro52 & ILD pts -- 1,026 pts 15% Ro52+: interstitial pneumonia w/ autoimmune 48%, CTD-ILD 13%, idiopathic pulm fibrosis 10%, hypersens pneumonitis 6%, idiopathic ILD 24%. Ro52+ were younger w/ more autoimmune dz, +MSA Abs, ILD progression, death, & lung https://t.co/fuFfnaYIRd
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Flow cytometry on Peripheral blood can help patient stratification in RA
A cluster rich in TEMRA Terminally Differentiated Effector Memory T Cells is associated with response to treatment and therapeutic decision taking into account showed higher remission 39% vs. 24%
Next https://t.co/8ZZ2epf7LK
Aurelie Najm AurelieRheumo ( View Tweet)
In #scleroderma pts with cardiac involvement, the presence of ventricular ectopy is assocd w/ ⬆️risk of mortality & SCD.
☝️these arrythmias present late so consider it in pts w/established dse who develop new-onset cardiac symptoms
@RheumNow #APLAR25 @rheumarhyme @marklagacmd https://t.co/MTDfxevqwb
sheila RHEUMarampa ( View Tweet)
2025 Update of EULAR RA management recommandation
Summary slide inspired from Josef Smolen’s presentation
@RheumNow #APLAR25 https://t.co/wRzeX9OIry https://t.co/djrd7O9G9H
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Aurelie Najm AurelieRheumo ( View Tweet)
Is it #lupus?
Interesting study by @escheriKYA et al. showing comparable diagnostic performance of SLERPI (93%) in 🇵🇭 patients vs. SLICC and EULAR/ACR criteria
A practical alternative tool that can be used by clinicians in a resource-limited setting 🤔
@RheumNow #APLAR25 https://t.co/xByBkjEr3r
Links:
sheila RHEUMarampa ( View Tweet)
Key takeaways of trabecular bone screening:
📌Complements but doesnt replace BMD/FRAX in fracture risk assessment
📌Dont exclude any lumbar spine unless w/significant change like laminectomy
📌Can use in monitoring untreated pts since TBS declines
@RheumNow #APLAR25 https://t.co/bcN83IDDja
sheila RHEUMarampa ( View Tweet)
Remember! ☝️
Trabecular bone screening should not be routinely used in pre-menopausal women.
@RheumNow #APLAR25 #osteoporosis https://t.co/hGMExyDYUX
sheila RHEUMarampa ( View Tweet)
Cross-sectional study of 320 dermatomyositis (198 classic DM, 122 amyopathic DM/CADM) & compared myositis panels for ANA, MSA, MAA, etc. Comparing CDM vs CADM - ANA pos in 63% vs 49%, p<0.05; MSA+ 47% vs 40% (NS); MAA+ 29% vs 26%(NS); MSA&MAA neg 40% vs 48% (NS)
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Japanese retrospective real world study shows antifibrotic use assoc w/ better survival in Pulm Fibrosis-ILD for 1st 3 yrs & improved survival in progressive pulm. fibrosis (PPF) “despite management” (PPF subset prev Rx non-antifibrotic therapy) https://t.co/caiIuhg7j8 https://t.co/N0ST73TMoR
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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
3 yr study of FDA Adverse Event Reporting on anifrolumab shows following AEs- URIs, herpes zoster, infusion reactions, and potential new risks like dyspnea and pyrexia, not in the label. https://t.co/vP2YWGT2vR https://t.co/BruGBtXEBu
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
