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Cardiovascular risk is an established part of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) care, but recognising a risk is not the same as treating it. Two abstracts at ACR Convergence 2026 highlight this.
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Could the therapeutic window of opportunity in rheumatoid arthritis extend beyond preventing structural damage to preventing chronic pain, fatigue, and neuroimmune complications?
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Tsao et al presented abstract #2773 consensus recommendations for CAR-T cell therapy in the SARDs from the Taiwan College of Rheumatology. They are thorough and outline a sensible approach.
Richard Conway
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Aguilar-Coll et al. Survival patterns by radiologic phenotype in RA-ILD. 69 patients. UIP worse than NSIP, which we knew. But OP same as UIP!? And NSIP+OP worst of all!? Needs further study! @RheumNow #ACR26 Abstr#2435 https://t.co/z4JgLc9xTZ
Richard Conway
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Reddy, Maharaj et al. Abatacept biosimilar! DRL_AB equivalent to Orencia in 2 DB RCTs. Had heard a lot of talk about how this was technically difficult but it seems that has been surmounted @RheumNow #ACR26 Abstr#2383 Abst#2391
Eric Dein
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VALOR: Brepo in DM
@RheumNow #ACR20
A#1584- skin impr @ w4, impr CDASI score, itch, skin-QoL
A#1585- 3/4 pts on PO steroids, mean dose 11mg/d at start. BREP 30mg>PBO, successful OCS taper
A#1586- 1/5 pts had ILD - no specific ILD endpts but safe in this pop
A#1587- improv PROs
Richard Conway
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Daien et al. SUPERFIBRES RCT of fibre in active RA (on csDMARD). Inulin (12 g/day) or placebo for 30 days. Odds of EULAR response were markedly higher with fibre than placebo (OR 4.65, 95% CI 1.15-18.9; p=0.03). @RheumNow #ACR26 Abstr#1903
Mrinalini Dey
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SUPERFIBRES: 12 g/day inulin for 30 days increased odds of EULAR response vs placebo (OR 4.65, 95% CI 1.15-18.9). Just 48 patients in the per-protocol analysis, mostly on MTX. Is this a way to incorporate diet to improve MTX efficacy in daily practice? #1903 #ACR26 @Rheumnow
Mrinalini Dey
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CAR-T in RA: 4/6 COMPARE participants achieved DAS28-CRP remission and ACR70 at week 36. All had grade 1-2 CRS; no ICANS. Two flared during follow-up. Encouraging phase 1 activity, with durability and safety still to establish. @Rheumnow #1902 #ACR26 #ACRBest
Richard Conway
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Albach et al. COMPARE trial of CD19 CAR-T cell in refractory RA. Case series 6 patients. By week 36, four patients achieved DAS28-CRP remission and ACR70 response. @RheumNow #ACR26 Abstr#1902 https://t.co/Jdz9twvdsy
Eric Dein
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Ab#2825 #ACR26
@RheumNow
Myositis classically painless, but pain highly prevalent E-survey of IIM pts n=552 Pain in muscles 53%, activity-related pain 14% Pain 4.6/10, 7.4/10 during flare, 77% persistent pain Highest in overlap, lowest in IBM 61% met FM criteria
@DidemSayginMD https://t.co/h3VIe9gEJa
Dr. John Cush
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Dr. John Cush
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When you don’t use anti-fibrotics in RA-ILD
RA-ILD occurs in somewhere up to 10% of patients with RA. It is a serious complication with significant morbidity and mortality attached to it.
https://t.co/K6tEtjf9Gm https://t.co/Hehv0HbD7y
Mrinalini Dey
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JAKi vs TNFi in higher-CV-risk RA: target trial emulation of 17607 matched pairs found MACE HR 1.02, but higher mortality (HR 1.21) and HF admission (HR 1.11). Findings refine results from ORAL Surveillance and support individualized JAKi agent selection #1900 @Rheumnow #ACR26 https://t.co/uDuOCPa6bf
Antoni Chan MD (Prof)
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Fibromyalgia was present in 9.3% of 151 SpA patients, with ASDAS CRP 3.7 vs 2.2 without it. Key finding: fibromyalgia was associated with higher disease activity and poorer function, and the six item FiRST had a negative predictive value of 98.4%. @rheumnow #ACR26 Abstract#1354
Licia Mota
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Respiratory infections: a potential missing link in RA-ILD development
#ACR26 Abstract 1737: Respiratory infections were associated with subsequent RA-ILD, particularly non-fibrotic disease.
A new perspective on infection prevention in RA.
@RheumNow https://t.co/ObzgmwguV0
Richard Conway
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Valenzuela et al. 34 patient basket study. AB-101, Outpatient-Administered, Non-Genetically Modified NK Cells, in Combination with Rituximab. Treatment refractory, active rheumatic diseases. Encouraging efficacy data, safety looked good also. @RheumNow #ACR26 Abstr#1899 https://t.co/gA1Ggi0blQ
Licia Mota
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Could tirzepatide offer vascular benefits beyond GLP-1 RAs in RA?
#ACR26: In 7,944 matched patients with RA and T2D, tirzepatide was associated with lower thromboembolic risk (HR 0.84) and mortality (HR 0.54).
Promising observational data, not proof of causality.
@RheumNow https://t.co/FnCOoe6F7e
Licia Mota
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Not all ILD is created equal
#ACR26 Abstract 1375: RA-ILD showed a fibrotic, UIP-predominant phenotype (64% vs 37% in Sjögren), while Sjögren-ILD was more inflammatory.
Different phenotypes, different monitoring strategies, even with similar FVC trajectories.
@RheumNow #ACR26 https://t.co/yWnnX1Y6Wv
Licia Mota
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Could environmental exposure trigger RÃ?
#ACR26: In ACPA-positive individuals, PFAS exposure in drinking water and serum was associated with increased risk of progression to RA.
A provocative finding linking environmental pollutants to RA development.
@RheumNow #ACR26 https://t.co/GWlRKGh8HB
