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CAR-T Product Shows Early Promise in Lupus
Five patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in China have been treated with a potentially groundbreaking form of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, researchers reported, with encouraging results after 3 months.
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High-Resolution CT in CTD-Interstitial Lung Disease
A systematic review and meta-analysis examined the role of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in diagnosing and characterizing interstitial lung disease (ILD) associated with connective tissue diseases (CTDs).
Big Fat FDA Pink Slip (9.19.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this week on RheumNow.com. Today we cover GLP-1 agonists, acupuncture, what JAKs won’t do & an FDA Pink Slip.
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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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Comparative Frequency of Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) in Australia:
- SLE 57.9 per 100K
- Lupus nephritis 11.2 per 100K
- SSc 25.6 per 100K
- ANCA-associated vasculitis 10.8 per million PYs https://t.co/cx9LvswQ2E https://t.co/ltcXCw23bI
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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Sucutaneous anifrolumab? Phase III TULIP-SC trial in SLE patients showed SC anifrolumab (Saphnelo) significantly reducted lupus disease activity compared to placebo. https://t.co/vvI2av2vAJ https://t.co/0V1wsmFk0N
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Optimal glucocorticoid therapy in lupus nephritis
🔓https://t.co/e6SjmOrRpw
➡️This review provides an in-depth analysis of glucocorticoid therapy for lupus nephritis, a severe manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus that affects up to 51.7% of patients https://t.co/JftCQiFif1
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NDT NDTsocial ( View Tweet)
Study of urinary soluble CD163 levels in 214 SLE pts (129 w/ LN), found urinary CD163 highly correlates w/ UPCR, active vs inactive states, predicts Renal Bx histologic activity (AUC 0.962) & renal dz flares & allows prediction of complete, partial and non-responders https://t.co/HNKAuFDgPG
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
This is a pivotal trial. 187 pt w/ incomplete lupus (ANA+ plus 1-2 criteria, but not qualifying as SLE) shows that HCQ does not prevent progression to SLE! Congrats to these researchers lead by Nancy Olsen et al. https://t.co/NnrA8ohiGX
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
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 rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis and is now being increasingly adopted not only in SLE research https://t.co/PfnG0AeJsH
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
There is no criteria for infection-induced Antiphospholipid syndr (APS). aPL & aCL abs have been reported w/ COVID, HCV, HIV, EBV, varicella-zoster, & CMV. infections may induce transient aPL positivity without over APS, but may precipitate APS or catastrophic APS (CAPS).
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
GCs have potent anti-inflammatory effects but it’s long term complications can be catastrophic.
In SLE pts, it shows a 3-fold increased risk of organ damage for each addtl 1mg of Pred/day.
📌Aim for short duration of use with lowest effective dose
@RheumNow #APLAR25 https://t.co/UugrcX073Z
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sheila RHEUMarampa ( View Tweet)
SLE and Osteoporosis
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disease that can present with a variety of signs and symptoms and organ involvement. Comorbidities further complicate the disease course that may lead to poor health-related quality of life and https://t.co/8ZmtLjzbqA
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
In lupus patients presenting with demyelinating symptoms, consider a probable disease overlap between NPSLE and NMOSD.
>>>> serum AQP4 is highly specific for NMOSD.
@RheumNow #APLAR25 @rheumarhyme @marklagacmd https://t.co/2Z8rbJ3a1c
sheila RHEUMarampa ( View Tweet)
Juvenile Lupus: some new mechanistic data
Circulating Treg population are expanded in SLE and in particular in Lupus Nephritis compared to HC
Naive Treg display specific molecular features in particular over expression of FCRL3 and TLR5 showing new pathways to explore in https://t.co/RuMtWRkpYB
Aurelie Najm AurelieRheumo ( View Tweet)
Dr. Alberta Hoi graphically presents the difference bet acute confusional states & chronic cognitive changes in #lupus patients presenting with NP symptoms.
NPSLE continues to pose a diagnostic challenge bec pts may present with more than one syndrome complex
@RheumNow #APLAR25 https://t.co/4nYTo1fzVz
sheila RHEUMarampa ( View Tweet)
‼️More reasons why we should avoid steroids in #lupus patients
@RheumNow #APLAR25 https://t.co/a5IeutJ5mi
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sheila RHEUMarampa ( View Tweet)
The overall prevalence of #osteoporosis in SLE is ~33-40% and is due to several factors with GC therapy being one of them.
Monitor DXA every 6-12 months (vs. 2 yrs for standard OP)
☝️Screen for GIOP
☝️Treat accordingly - once on GCs & esp w/long-term use
@RheumNow #APLAR25 https://t.co/E9FJDHrBUo
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sheila RHEUMarampa ( View Tweet)
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)
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)
