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Advanced Practitioner Biologic Prescriptions for Psoriasis

Jack Cush, MD

Advanced practice clinicians (APCs; nurse practitioners and physician assistants) deliver a large share of US dermatologic care, accounting for 37% of clinicians and 27% of dermatology visits by 2020. A current JAMA Dermatology reports APC drug spending trends in dermatology, with a focus on specialty medications (eg, biologics).

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lupus SLE

Subcutaneous Anifrolumab in SLE

Jack Cush, MD

Manzi et al. have published the results of the TULIP-SC trial that showed that weekly subcutaneous (SC) anifrolumab, when given to severe SLE patients, had comparable efficacy and safety to the approved intravenous (IV) anifrolumab. 

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2026 Resolutions (1.9.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, announcements and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com. More on Variable bendability, a better way to treat RA, and a novel advance for GLP1a in PsA; and 2026 Resolutions!

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GLP-1 Agonist plus IL-17 Inhibition in Obese Psoriatic Arthritis

Jack Cush, MD

Lilly announced the topline results from its phase 3b "TOGETHER PsA" trial, showing that the combination use of ixekizumab (Taltz) and tirzepatide (Zepbound) was superior to IXE alone, yielding both significant weight loss and ACR50 disease control in adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

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Lupus,flare,malar,DermNetNZ

Subcutaneous Anifrolumab Effective in Lupus

ACR

A new study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology demonstrates that subcutaneous administration of anifrolumab provides efficacy comparable to intravenous administration, offering a promising alternative for at-home care of patients living with moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus.

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Best of 2025: ERS/EULAR guidelines for CTD-related interstitial lung disease

Jack Cush, MD

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) and European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) have published clinical practice guidelines for the evaluation and management of connective tissue diseases (CTD) associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) in two simultaneous publications in the European Respiratory Journal and Annals of Rheumatic Diseases.

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Subcutaneous Anifrolumab in SLE Manzi et al. have published the results of the TULIP-SC trial that showed that weekly subcutaneous (SC) anifrolumab, when given to severe SLE patients, had comparable efficacy and safety to the approved intravenous (IV) anifrolumab. https://t.co/3DWNEXaO2x
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US Overdose Deaths have dropped in 2024 & 2025!. Overdose (opioids, heroin, fentanyl) deaths peaked at ~110,000 in 2022, fell a little in 2023, but plummeted (27%) to 80,000 in 2024. Reported deaths highes in the N. East & Atlantic states. https://t.co/P3mgrOzGhr https://t.co/eGOBhIx7ZB

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In Dec 2025, the FDA qualified total hip bone mineral density (BMD) assessed by DXA as a validated surrogate endpoint for osteoporosis clinical trials. Previously OP trials required fracture endpoints as primary efficacy measures, necessitating large 2-5 yr studies https://t.co/q8a7QmoIXs
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Subcutaneous Anifrolumab in SLE Manzi et al. have published the results of the TULIP-SC trial that showed that weekly subcutaneous (SC) anifrolumab, when given to severe SLE patients, had comparable efficacy and safety to the approved intravenous (IV) anifrolumab. https://t.co/yrAirr2R2Y
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
2025 Lancet review https://t.co/Qbwup6QxZK of Osteoarthritis did not mention/endorse Rx w/ platelet rich plasma (PRP) prompting several letters of protest. Read the authors response: Despite the popularity of PRP, there are few PBO controlled high quality studies to prove its https://t.co/7pCZV9CHfJ

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J&J announced positive topline results from Phase 2b JASMINE study showing the efficacy of of nipocalimab, FcRn blocker that reduces AutoAbs & B cell activity. Study met its 24 wk primary endpoint (SRI-4 response) vs placebo. There were no new safety signals https://t.co/KMseKyGirt
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Plenty of evidence that toxic environmental exposures increase #RA risk. Full read, intelligent report from Stanhope et al showing how (healthy environmental) green space exposures are protective & capable of preventing RA!! Lifestyle is gigantically important in your https://t.co/LUWmHhUT7F
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
J&J announced positive topline results from Phase 2b JASMINE study showing the efficacy of of nipocalimab, FcRn blocker that reduces AutoAbs & B cell activity. Study met its 24 wk primary endpoint (SRI-4 response) vs placebo. There were no new safety signals https://t.co/87FZIogmkW
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
58 newly Dx #PMR pts (on <8 wks steroids/GC) randomised 1:1 MTX 25 mg/wk or placebo, w/ 24-week GC-tapering protocol. @wk 52 GC-free remission achieved in 80% of MTX vs 46% of placebo pts (risk difference 34%, 1-sided 95% CI: 14%, 1-sided P = .0042) https://t.co/75SLx5LtqZ https://t.co/HtDAJe5VI2

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Best of 2025: Contraception in SLE Pregnancy in SLE gets a lot of press in the rheumatology literature, and deservedly so, since pregnancy risks can be markedly increased. It was not that many years ago that women with SLE were counseled to avoid pregnancy. As recently as 2004, https://t.co/vBb0vyqod8
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Sjogrens is a hot area in drug development: “Sjogren’s Syndrome Pipeline Insight 2025” report provides comprehensive insights about 20+ companies and 22+ pipeline drugs, including: nipocalimab VAY736 (ianalumab) HZN-1116 AMG 329 R-2487 https://t.co/sVbyPLi2Um https://t.co/2URpGUsMk9

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Best of 2025: Glucocorticoids in SLE: how to start, how to follow, how to stop 70+ years after their debut, glucocorticoids remain a fast, powerful tool for SLE—but long-term toxicity comes at a high cost. Guidelines now favor GC “bridging therapy”: use briefly, taper fast. The https://t.co/RS0JQquv6j
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Definitions for Interstitial Lung Disease: A Consensusfrom the Fleischner Society https://t.co/gEqmkdJLDh https://t.co/Q0TKznTWdV

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Novartis announced top line results of its ianalumab (VAY736;B cell inhibitor) in primary Sjögren’s dz. 2 RCTs, NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2, met met primary endpoints w/ statistically significant improvements in disease activity in Sjögren’s patients. https://t.co/cIBhF3YJh3 https://t.co/RpZGe0Sa0K

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