Rituximab (RTX) is a monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 antigen on B cells and when administered causes a marked depletion of CD20+ B cells.

Serum antibodies precede the development of clinical rheumatoid arthritis (RAby) by many years, and yet we still have much to learn about this preclinical phase.

The Wall Street Journal has reported an alarming trend in generic drug pricing that affects many, especially the elderly and those with arthrtis.

Researchers from the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children have published in the Journal of Immunology that a polymorphism in the inositol-triphosphate 3-kinase C (ITPKC) (rs28493229) is associated with the pathogenesis of Kawasaki's disease (KD).

It has been long known that rheumatoid arthritis is associated with an increased mortality rate, especially in seropositive patients and those with extraarticular manifestations.

The results of the Nor-Switch study were presented at the United European Gastroenterology annual congress this week demonstrating no significant difference in effect, adverse effects or antibody formation in patients switched from Remicade to the biosimilar infliximab (CT-P13, Remsima).

Aromatase inhibitors (AI) are often given in the setting of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer therapy.

The October 7th edition of MMWR reports that severe joint pain (SJP) has significantly risen from 10.5 million in 2012 to 27.2% in 2014, based on recent NHIS surveys.

RheumNow will periodically review this subject with “Biosimilar Reports” providing updates, news, new publications, overview articles and research results impacting to biosimilar development and use.

Symptoms attributed to chronic Lyme disease are the bane of a rheumatologist’s existence. We often see patients referred for a variety of nonspecific complaints that do not resolve after antibiotic therapy, including the so-called post-Lyme disease syndrome.

Baricitinib is an oral, small molecule, once-daily DMARD, that specifically inhibits Janus kinase 1 and 2 and is being developed for use in rheumatoid arthritis. With much of the developmental clinical trials completed, the drug is slated for review and potential approval near the end of the year.

What does sex have to do with it? Although the Zika virus infection is known to be sexually transmitted, the same cannot be claimed for Dengue or Chikungunya.

Most US rheumatologists use multiple TNF inhibitors before switching. A new French study suggests that "other-MOA", non-TNF biologics are more effective after failing a TNF inhibitor.

A recent review has shown that tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors (TNFi) rarely cause MS-like disorders.

The International Osteoarticular Mycoses Consortitum has publist their review Aspergillus arthritis caused by invasive aspergillosis.

Their review identified 31 evaluable cases, 87% of whom were males and adults.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com, including IBD/TNFi and cancer risk, fracture nonunion, PMR worse in women, not treating asymptomatic hyperuricemia, and shingles followed by stroke.

Patients with autoimmune inflammatory diseases who develop herpes zoster are at increased risk of stroke for the subsequent 3 months, with risks diminishing thereafter, analysis of Medicare data showed.

Periodontal disease, gingivitis and Porphyromonas gingivalis have been linked to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the production of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA).

The factors that influence the safety of biologic therapy are numerous. Amongst them, increasing age is a potential risk factor, moreso if you also consider the polypharmacy, comorbidities and longer disease duration inherent in an elderly group of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Disease flares are common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), often causing patients to seek additional care, if not medication.

The frequency of flares varies amongst studies in different populations.  But the consequence of flares has only recently been studied.