WASHINGTON -- Rheumatoid arthritis is a recognized risk factor for heart attacks and stroke, but a study comparing two leading biologics found only a non-significant increase in relative risk for patients treated with toclizimab (Actemra) vs etanercept (Enbrel), researchers reported here.

The EXXELERATE study is featured prominently in Lancet this week. In some ways, this represents a landmark negative trial that rheumatologists should review and be aware of.

Tofacitinib may well be joined by a new once daily JAK inhibitor, baricitinib in the next few months.

Dr. Cush highlights reports from this week on RheumNow.com.

The offspring of women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may be at greater risk for the development of epilepsy, according to a recent report in the journal Neurology, suggesting that epileptogenic triggers may begin during pregnancy and may be wors

The notion of a single biologic targeting two cytokines is intriguing. ABT-122 is a new dual-variable domain immunoglobulin that neutralizes both TNF-α and IL-17A.

The PRECISION trial was published this week in the NEJM, presented at the Cardiology meetings in New Orleans, and presented today by Dr. Daniel Solomon at the 2016 ACR annual meeting in Washington, D.C. (citation source http://buff.ly/2fUmoqO)

Tocilizumab is in the spotlight at this year’s ACR 2016 meeting but there is still much to learn, including more about its safety profile. In an abstract presented at today’s poster session (Abstract 2618), Morel, et al.

Big highlights from Monday included the Hench Lecture, plenary session abstracts and presentations on drug safety and cost efficacy in rheumatoid arthritis.

CORRONA, America's largest registry, has numerous presentations for this year's annual ACR/ARHP meeting. See below for the expanse of efficacy and safety issues covered by CORRONA investigators.

On Monday, November 13, there were two new presentations at the annual ACR 2016 meeting on new biologics seeking approval for use in polyarticular juvenile arthritis.

Dr Cush reviews highlights from this week on RheumNow.com

The PRECISION study will be presented on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 by Dr. Elaine Husni from the Cleveland Clinic. This report brings to a climax the controversy ignited by the February 2005 3 day FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee review of the safety of the blockbuster COX-2 inhibitors, celecoxib, rofecoxib, and valdecoxib.

At this years 2016 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting Pfizer will presen 20 abstracts, mostly centering around its JAK inhibitor tofacitinib (Xeljanz). They will also present the results of their Phase 3 OPAL studies of tofacitinib in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Eli Lilly & Co. has multiple presentations planned for the upcoming Annual meeting of the ACR/ARHP in Washington starting on Sunday, November 13th.

Janssen has announced the listings for it's presentations at the upcoming annual ACR/ARHP 2016 meeting in Washington.

The International Osteoporosis Foundation has established the Chronic Inflammation and Bone Structure (CIBS) Working Group to address bone loss in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the role of biologic therapies. They conclude that early and aggressive treatment with biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs will help prevent progressive bone loss in patients with RA.

RA increases CV risk considerably. But whose responsibility is it to manage CV risk in RA patients?

Etanercept (Enbrel) received FDA approval Friday for use in children with moderate to severe, chronic plaque psoriasis.  Previously approved for adults with plaque psoriasis the new indication will be for chronic plaque psoriasis for those over age 4 years.