Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com.  This week we delve into some odd associations, repeat drug warnings and the consequences of antirheumatic therapies.

Peresolimab is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that acts as a programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) agonist (stimulator). The NEJM reports that PER met its efficacy primary endpont in treating patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). 

Brepocitinib is a novel tyrosine kinase 2/Janus kinase 1 inhibitor and has been studied in patients with moderately-to-severely active psoriatic arthritis (PsA), showing impressive efficacy at both 16 weeks and 52 weeks.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare form of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, affecting between 10 and 14 cases per million globally. This adult disorder has a mean age at diagnosis of nearly 50 years and affects both sexes equally, presenting with pulmonary symptoms (asthma), eosinophilia and granulomatous or vasculitic involvement of several organs. A multidisciplinary, multinational European group has developed evidence-based, guidelines for the diagnosis and management of EGPA, intended to include recent advances.

Fibromyalgia patients hoping to see a more effective and convenient formulation of cyclobenzaprine at their local pharmacies must wait for an ongoing phase III trial -- the product's third -- to finish, as the first two delivered mixed results.

After an action packed weekend, RheumNow Live 2023 concluded on Sunday with a half-day session on systemic lupus erythematous and ankylosing spondylitis discussing many new medications that are revolutionizing rheumatology. Dr. Laurent Arnaud, a professor at Strasbourg University in France, however, took the time to review one of our oldest therapies: hydroxychloroquine.

This week on the Podcast Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles, including the risks of dying, developing RA or autoimmune disease!