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ACR & Arthritis Foundation Denounce the Dismantling of Vital Health Programs
Arthritis Foundation and ACR
As organizations representing nearly 60 million adults and children living with arthritis in the United States and the rheumatologists and health care professionals who treat them, we are deeply alarmed by this week’s dismantling of multiple branches of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that manage essential research and public health programs critical to the well-being of millions of people living with chronic conditions.
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The Increasing Cost of First-Line Biologics for Plaque Psoriasis
A national commercial claims analysis of first-line use of biologics in biologic−naive plaque psoriasis patients found a near doubling of net treatment costs from 2007 to 2021 ($21 236 to $47 125).
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Is High Dose Aspirin Needed in Kawasaki Disease?
Does aspirin add any advantage to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) alone in children with Kawasaki disease (KD)?
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EMR Messaging Woes (4.11.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and regulatory approvals from this past week on RheumNow.com
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Retrospective EGPA study of mepolizumab Rx 45 pts Rx initially w/ 300 mg/4 weeks, 27% switched to 100 mg/4 wks after 26 mos & 50% maintained complete remission without GC. Other half had sinonasal Sxs Rx w/ increased MEP dose orlocal therapy. https://t.co/M4Gp52QdwQ https://t.co/zb13fuKhpH
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Genomics and Future Drug Targets for Osteoarthritis
A Nature article details the results of an osteoarthritis, genome-wide association study meta-analyses across up to 489,975 cases and 1,472,094 controls, establishing 962 independent associations, 513 of which have not been https://t.co/OYyePkAeAM
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Enzyme Porcupine inhibition of Wnt signaling is a promising treatment forsclerosteosis - rare Dz caused by SOST mutations & loss of functional sclerostin. Results in high bone mass & skeletal overgrowth (Sxs of facial paralysis, hearing loss, incr intracranial pressure https://t.co/9DYO82quiC
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Phase 3 trial shows inebilizumab reduces flares in IgG4-related disease (10% vs 60% in placebo; HR 0.13, p<0.001) and boosts remission rates without background immunosuppressants. CD19+ B-cell depletion shows promise as a new treatment. #Rheum @RheumNow https://t.co/7iSyPfnMV0 https://t.co/M51b0dipMs
Links:
Natasha Salman, DO DrNatashaSalman ( View Tweet)
The IL-17A inhibitor, secukinumab, is in late-stage development forthe treatment of giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica. https://t.co/JzzqS7bSjd https://t.co/9Qm0YsJmOL
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
#JIA #biologics and #tsDMARDs: Are all patients getting the same access? MDTs, share your insights on on-label and off-label prescribing and help improve future care.
💬 Take the survey by 15 April: https://t.co/vC2Pv5vmH4 https://t.co/rRM5rH0QQl
Links:
BSR RheumatologyUK ( View Tweet)
Full read state of the art review of treatments for Axial Spondyloarthritis
Concluding unmet needs:
-Suboptimal Tx Response
- Limited Drug Options
- No Biomarkers
- Extra-Axial Dz
- Non-Inflammatory Pain https://t.co/K3oqRCgTCP https://t.co/IPn09jMFM2
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
2nd Opinions in Rheumatology
https://t.co/R4CjJHEaL4 https://t.co/0quDwdANyU
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Vamorolone: a New Steroid on the Horizon?
Vamorolone is a potentially new alternative to traditional glucocorticoids for use in inflammatory diseases. It is a dissociated steroidal compound with reduced side effects, and in an animal model of inflammation has shown effective https://t.co/38WTOAuuJy
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Bimekizumab efficacy and safety in patients with psoriatic arthritis who had skin and nail psoriasis at baseline: Up to 2-year results from two phase 3 studies
Sponsored by UCB
https://t.co/461bFRZwjw
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Sjogrens is a hot area in drug development: “Sjogren’s Syndrome Pipeline Insight 2025” report provides comprehensive insights about 20+ companies and 22+ pipeline drugs, including:
nipocalimab
VAY736 (ianalumab)
HZN-1116
AMG 329
R-2487 https://t.co/sVbyPLi2Um https://t.co/IlvthM7qyG
Links:
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Inebilizumab, an anti-CD19+ (B cell)mAb was tested in myasthenia gravis in phase 3, 238 pt trial and shows to signif. improv function and reduce disease severity in acetylcholine recpt Ab+ or muscle-specific kinase Ab+ myasthenia gravis pts. https://t.co/vBBjf8AUug https://t.co/cUbK4PJEvf
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
EMA has approved upadacitinib (Rinvoq) for use in the EU to treat adult patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) - approval is based on data from the Phase 3 SELECT-GCA trial demonstrating sustained remission and key secondary endpoints https://t.co/Y2tyZPC9Et https://t.co/SHPz2Q94Vs
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Korean insurance claims study (2008–2021) 183,212 psoriasis & PsA pts, found Biologic Rx assoc w/ lower risk of new-onset & recurrent MACEs vs phototherapy (adj HR, 0.45 & 0.34). Nonbiologic systemic Rx lowered MACE risk (v photoRx) only in pts w/ prior Hx MACE (0.79) https://t.co/08wNm1AbpC
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Does DMARD Rx affect neurocognitive function in older pts? bDMARDs targeting TNF-α & IL-6 may mitigate neuroinflammation & preserve cognitive function. But, cognitive impact of csDMARDs (MTX) is complex, w/ conflicting reports on its role in vascular dementia. https://t.co/6uMmOOdRoF
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
EMA has approved upadacitinib (Rinvoq) for use in the EU to treat adult patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) - approval is based on data from the Phase 3 SELECT-GCA trial demonstrating sustained remission and key secondary endpoints https://t.co/ycPNuB8C8y https://t.co/MCJNltn8Lj
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
