All News
Pre-ACR25 (10.24.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and info reports the day before ACR 2025
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REPLENISH - Secukinumab Works in Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Novartis announced the results of their REPLENISH trial showing the efficacy of secukinumab in adults with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).
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Colchicine Ineffective in Long COVID
Management of long COVID has been perplexing with symptoms having functional and possibly inflammatory origins. Colchicine has been studied in long COVID and failed to improve functional capacity, respiratory function, or inflammatory markers.
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SGLT-2 inhibitors and the prevention of autoimmune rheumatic disease
Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors have benefits beyond glycemic control, including cardioprotective and nephroprotective effects, with modest weight loss.
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FDA Approves Obinutuzumab for Active Lupus Nephritis
The FDA has approved obinutuzumab (Gazyva) for the treatment of lupus nephritis. This is good news for the more than 1.7 million people worldwide with lupus nephritis.
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Telitacicept Effective in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
The NEJM has published a report from van Vollenhoven et al showing a new dual B cell inhibitor, telitacicept, to be effective when given to active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients; but this comes with a few https://t.co/L0TgynLELD
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FDA has approved Genentech’s CD20-targeting antibody obinutuzumab (Gazyva) for the treatment of adult patients with lupus nephritis who are receiving standard therapy. https://t.co/0eGwGnSDYf https://t.co/wnQDVnTEjb
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REPLENISH - Secukinumab Works in Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Novartis announced the results of their REPLENISH trial showing the efficacy of secukinumab (Cosentyx) (SEC) in adults with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).
https://t.co/qa9RzmNFU4 https://t.co/dCEkelJzni
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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Single center study ANCA-assoc. vasculitis. From 78 pts had poor outcomes (16 ESKD, 15 deaths). Elevated BUN was a risk factor (adj HR 1.07). Risk factors for ESKD were baseline BUN & WBC. Risks for death included CV Dz (HR 8.7), NLR (1.04) &anti-PLt Rx (HR 6.8) https://t.co/QQrDmja0zo
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6-week intensive smoking cessation prg studied in 94 RA daily smokers in remission or low Dz activity (DAS28-CRP=2.9). At 3 mos the intervention group had higher cessation rates; but had no effect on EULAR responses, TJC, or CRP (result actually favoured the controls) https://t.co/HPJYeyPCPQ
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA Approves Obinutuzumab for Active Lupus Nephritis
The FDA has approved obinutuzumab (Gazyva) for the treatment of lupus nephritis. This is good news for the more than 1.7 million people worldwide with lupus nephritis.
https://t.co/WbpATY86BY https://t.co/zRONkCUtIx
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Saphnelo (anifrolumab) has been recommended for approval in EU by CHMP for systemic lupus erythematosus (on top of standard therapy) as a once-weekly pre-filled pen.
Recommendation based on TULIP-SC Phase III trial. https://t.co/VRUycfLRtf https://t.co/O7cQfkb8BU
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12 yr study of 115 Systemic Sclerosis pts shows Finger-to-palm distance (tip 4th finger to distal palmar crease) may be a useful tool for predicting the progression of skin thickening and the development of digital ulcers in the early stages of severe SSc https://t.co/brCEz5Fqac https://t.co/tiVBdfH39q
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Phase 3b/4 head-to-head SELECT-SWITCH study tested Humira vs Rinvoq in 492 RA MTX pts failing a TNFi then Rx w/ ADA vs UPA x12 wks. UPA > ADA w/ DAS28-CRP < 3.2 (43% vs 22%; p<0.001) and also for DAS28-CRP < 2.6 (28% vs 14%). No new safety signals seen.https://t.co/EAJ9GglMjv https://t.co/uHTsdTPpWP
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30% of RA pts have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In 170 pts on MTX or biologics (TNFi, IL-6i)- NAFLD was found in 36%. MTX & biologics were not linked to NAFLD or fibrosis -- BUT was signif assoc w/ metabolic syndr, BMI, Waist, ALT, and AST (all p < .001) https://t.co/MpkxjHEbxK
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Telitacicept Effective in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
The NEJM has published a report from van Vollenhoven et al showing a new dual B cell inhibitor, telitacicept, to be effective when given to active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients; but this comes with a few https://t.co/lwq8ZUMTQ8
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA has approved Genentech’s CD20-targeting antibody obinutuzumab (Gazyva) for the treatment of adult patients with lupus nephritis who are receiving standard therapy. https://t.co/0eGwGnSDYf https://t.co/Z6w2iP4u3e
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Study of biopsy proven lupus nephritis pts (1970-2024) - a total of 324 LN pts followed for median 9.9 yrs -- 30 (9.3%) developed Venous Thromboembolic event (VTE); time from LN to 1st VTE 4.4 yrs. Predictors were SLEDAI-2K score (HR= 1.05) and proteinuria level (HR 1.26)
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From the plenary to posters, RheumNow is your companion for ACR Convergence 2025. Expect:
• KOL videos
• Clinical trial highlights
• Daily faculty recaps
• Live streaming
#ACR25 #Rheumatology #ClinicalTrials https://t.co/zZAwYINmC2
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Failure of IL-17 inhibition in Lupus nephritis. 31 LN pts enrolled in phase 2 DBRPCT of secukinumab 300 mg IV, but was terminated early for futility (complete renal response at week 52 was lower with secukinumab (24.2%) than with placebo (36.3%). https://t.co/471TolqtFk https://t.co/gKi2Z2MZHS
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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
