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STOP-RA: Hydroxychloroquine Fails in ACPA+ Arthralgia

Jack Cush, MD

Deane et al has published the results of the STOP-RA trial, demonstrating that 12 months of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) did not prevent the development of clinical RA at 36 months. 

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Target

Hitting the Target: T2T Therapy in SLE

Sheila Reyes, MD

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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RheumNow Podcast – Ro, Ro, Ro52 (9.12.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. Are there benefits to diet or vegan diets? What's the effect of menopause on CTD?  Ro52 makes a big entrance with all our ILD coverage this month.

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SMART study - Single vs. Split Dose Methotrexate in RA

Jack Cush, MD

Split dose weekly, oral methotrexate (MTX) was shown to be superior to single dose MTX in treating active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

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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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COLCHICORT Trial

Jack Cush, MD

The COLCHICORT trial in acute calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystal arthritis patients showed that colchicine was inferior to prednisone treatment and that responses were also influenced by other factors.

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SMART study - Single vs. Split Dose Methotrexate in RA Split dose weekly, oral methotrexate (MTX) was shown to be superior to single dose MTX in treating active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. https://t.co/JN5wPGNjao https://t.co/lizsrtVHwf

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Different B cells depletion strategies in SARDs highlighted by Georg Schett From low and short lived depletion achieved w/ drugs to sustained deep tissular depletion with CAR T cells leading to potential immune reset @RheumNow #APLAR25 https://t.co/t35lrzEomF

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Aurelie Najm AurelieRheumo ( View Tweet)
STOP-RA results published in A&R. 144 at risk, CCP+ pts were enrolled to received HCQ vs PBO for 12 mos, w/ 24 mos F/U. Progression to RA seen in 30.4% on HCQ vs 32.9% on PBO (NS; P=0.52). Also IA, Jt Sxs, severity & adverse events were similar between groups.

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AbbVie's US patent protection for Rinvoq (upadacitinib) will run till April 2037. SEC filing shows AbbVie has reached an agreement with generic manufacturers challenging Rinvoq patents. UPA is their 2nd leading product with nearly $3.75 billion worldwide sales in 1st 1/2 of

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Antifibrotics - A New Class of Therapies in Rheumatology? Rheumatologists typically manage systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARD) and associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) with immunosuppressants. However, evidence increasingly supports also the use of antifibrotic https://t.co/IobQagC0ZE
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Regional Disparities in DMARD Management for RA Treatment Dr. Aurelie Najm, Glasgow, reports on a session on "Updates on DMARDs treatment: global standards and regional adaptations" from the APLAR 2025 Congress in Fukuoka, Japan. https://t.co/zDo5NxKtbE https://t.co/kF9FxyWkIQ

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
COLCHICORT Trial The COLCHICORT trial in acute calcium pyrophosphate (CPP) crystal arthritis patients showed that colchicine was inferior to prednisone treatment and that responses were also influenced by other factors. https://t.co/CC2yVRXbD5 https://t.co/ebLa3FUbGR

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
This slide reflects the rheumatologist’s goals for treating #lupus Prof. Mosca also highlights the fact that achieving targets is as important as maintaining these treatment targets. @RheumNow #APLAR25 https://t.co/u8fw3fThXI

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sheila RHEUMarampa ( View Tweet)
Optimizing outcomes of pregnancy in #lupus: 📌 all patients should undergo preconception counselling 📌 close monitoring by a multidisciplinary team - a ⬇️ cerebroplacental ratio reflects placental dysfunction #APLAR25 @RheumNow @rheumarhyme https://t.co/RSyqgpRTG5

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sheila RHEUMarampa ( View Tweet)
Study of 111 TAKayasu arteritis pts Rx w/ 74 MMF+MTX vs 37 CYC/AZA. Response rates at 28 & 52 weeks were 58.1% and 55.4% in the MMF+MTX group, respectively, higher than 32.4% at both time points in the CYC/AZA group. https://t.co/wqlOLH0VEA https://t.co/nbLvcyYkbn

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Prof Takeuchi on DMARDs treatment and regional disparities For similar dose, serum concentration of the polyglutamate (active) form of MTX is much higher in Japanese than US patients And also high levels achieved much quicker in Japanese than US patients This is strong https://t.co/ikp63wWifj

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Aurelie Najm AurelieRheumo ( View Tweet)
Abatacept and Methotrexate may Lower Risk of Interstitial Lung Disease in RA A post hoc, pooled analysis of of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) clinical trials shows those received abatacept had a lower rate of Interstitial lung disease (ILD). https://t.co/3AISriCUeC https://t.co/nN03e4ZBDU

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
One of the most impt updates recommended to add a bDMARD if tx target is not achieved by the 1st csDMARD (no more prognostic stratification) But, accdg to Dr. Smolen, adding a 2nd csDMARD should still be considered especially in resource-limited countries. @RheumNow #APLAR25 https://t.co/ZQiviGcrYp

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sheila RHEUMarampa ( View Tweet)
Methotrexate significantly lowers Systolic BP Australian researchers have shown that methotrexate (MTX) has another secondary, beneficial effect by significantly lowering systolic blood pressure, and contributes to its well docuented cardioprotive effecs. https://t.co/HDnDWahuul
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