Update on Checkpoint Inhibitor Safety

Save

“Autoimmunity is the Achilles heel of onco-immunotherapy” per Dr. Leonard Calabrese, which leaves a dilemma for rheumatologists.

Onco-immunotherapy induces immune dysregulation to allow patients to develop an immune response to their cancer cells. An unfortunate side effect for patients taking onco-immunotherapy is often autoimmune-like diseases referred to as immune adverse reactions (irAEs). Studies in France and the United States have shown that irAEs can be a good prognostic sign, suggesting these therapies are working. Rheumatology is faced with new problems as onco-immunotherapies may induce new chronic diseases in multiple different forms secondary to the treatment.

Doubling Down on IL-17 In Psoriatic Arthritis

Save

The monoclonal antibody bimekizumab, which neutralizes both interleukin (IL)-17A and 17F, was effective for both musculoskeletal and skin outcomes in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in a phase IIb study.

A New Era? JAK inhibitors in the Management of RA

Save

ACR 2018 has come and gone. It was a conference filled with a number of highlights. One thing from this conference which really stood out was the continued plethora of data on JAK inhibitors. First in RA, and now in psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis.

Spotlight on Interstitial Lung Disease at ACR 2018

Save

Here are a few important advances in our understanding of interstitial lung disease (ILD) from the ACR 2018 meeting last week.

Anti-phospholipid Antibodies and Myocardial Infarction.

Save

The Annals of Internal Medicine features a communique from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden demonstrating that elevated levels of antiphospholipid antibodies may be found in patients with myocardial infarction without any autoimmune co-morbidity, published in Annals of Internal M

Treat-to-Target Strategy Cuts Mortality in Gout Patients

Save

More intense treatment of gout with a treat-to-target strategy can reduce patients' risk for death, a Spanish researcher told a press conference Monday at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting here.

RheumNow ACR Week in Review: ACR Wrap-Up (10.26.18)

Save

This past week in Chicago gave us a plethora of new and eye-opening research, people, KOLs, exhibits, sessions, guidelines, posters and a never-ending supply of coffee served in small paper cups.  ACR 2018 highlights for me included:

Early Promise for Steroid-free Approach for Giant Cell Arteritis

Save

A very small study presented at ACR18 looking at tocilizumab monotherapy in patients with a new diagnosis of giant cell arteritis has nevertheless given hope to the tantalising idea that some GCA patients might achieve drug-free remission without steroids, although broader data are requ

Pregnancy and Contraception in Patients with Rheumatic Diseases

Save

A number of abstracts at this year’s ACR in Chicago highlighted issues around pregnancy and contraception advice in routine clinical practice.

ACR 2018 Podcast - Day 3

Save

Audio Highlights and Interviews from Day 3 at the ACR 2018 meeting  LISTEN HERE

ACR 2018 - Day 3 Report

Save

Highlights from Tuesday, day 3 of the ACR Annual meeting in Chicago, included:

The PEXIVAS Study –  2x2 Trial of Plasma Exchange and Reduced Steroids in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis (AAV) - Abstract #2788

Axial Spondylitis Abstracts Roundup

Save

There have been a number of interesting posters and presentations covering the field of axial spondyloarthropathy. I’ve picked out a few points that I found particularly relevant.

Classification Criteria

Negotiation Skills for Rheumatologists

Save

Physicians as a group are trained to have excellent clinical skills, but the difference between an average and extremely successful physician often comes down to factors outside of their ability to provide clinical care. 

Technology Tools for the Rheumatologist

Save

Four years ago, the genesis of this session (technology tools for rheumatologists) was from the frustration of the archaic technologies we have been using in our medical practices (including user hostile EHRs), compared to the rapid advancing pace of the consumer technologies we use at home. So came the struggle to adapt affordable and usable consumer technology products in the office that would save time (or at least be time neutral) and impact patient management.

Is DAS28 and HAQ-DI Headed for the Graveyard?

Save

Dr. Joseph Smolen delivered one of the most elegant and informative talk on rheumatoid arthritis at this ACR’s meeting as a tribute to Dr. Paul Klemperer. Dr. Smolen led us on a journey, and had us feeling content with what we are doing in practice as we walked with him from historical discoveries of RA through new drug development. Then Dr. Smolen did the unthinkable: he made us crash!

Emerging Trends in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Save

Walking the Tightrope of Treat to Target in Psoriatic Arthritis

Save

In the last few years, new studies have been published examining if early intervention and tight control (TC) of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) disease activity will have the same beneficial outcomes as it does for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  

Nurse Led Gout Management Highly Effective

Save

UK researchers have shown that nurse-led gout management, using a treat-to-target urate-lowering strategy, is efficacious and cost-effective compared with usual physicain care. The results are published in the recent Lancet edition.

RheumNow Week in Review – ACR Preview Edition (10.19.18)

Save

Dr. Jack Cush summarizes the news and reports from RheumNow.Com this past week and previews RheumNow activities at the upcoming ACR 2018 meeting in Chicago.

It's the Genes, Not the Diet that Raises Urate

Save

Researchers from New Zealand find that in contrast with genetic contributions, diet explains very little variation in serum urate levels in the general population.