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Hmmm Really? (7.11.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week - some obvious, other new thoughts and some - hmmm, reallly?
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Early DMARD Initiation Benefits in Psoriatic Arthritis
Mease et al has published the results of a cohort study showing early initiation of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) resulted in better outcomes compared to late initiation.
ICYMI: Channeling Bias and Cancer Risk with Biologic or Targeted Synthetic DMARDs
A retrospective US administrative claims cohort study of RA patients on tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis), non-TNFi biologics, or Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) found a statistically significantly higher risk of incident cancer in patients receiving rituximab, abatacept, or JAKis (compared with TNFis).
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ICYMI: AGA Guideline: Prevention and Treatment of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in At-Risk Individuals
The American Gastroenterology Association has published its revised clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in at-risk patients, particularly those with immune-mediated disease, receiving immunomodulatory therapy and steroids.
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ICYMI: Axial Involvement in Psoriatic Arthritis
Analysis of a Greek Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) cohort shows that nearly one quarter of patients have axial involvement, and among them, ∼30% have isolated spinal axPsA and nr-axSpA, respectively.
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Is the term polymyositis obsolete?.. now being replaced by dermatomyositis, necrotizing myopathy, inclusion body myositis, antisynthetase syndrome & overlap myositis. Full read overview of inflammatory myositis & new treatments from Joint Bone & Spine https://t.co/X46sptp1Ax https://t.co/smqCd8Rm2o
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Don't Stop the DMARDS!!
Retrospective study of 91 JIA pts (all types; 36% oligo, 27%poly) all Rx w/ cycles of DMARD therapy. Consistently two-thirds relapsed and flared. Only one-third of JIA patients were able to remain off DMARDs. https://t.co/ifqnMKfhAe https://t.co/8JAbpO1IVe
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Despite 2024 HHS proposal to reschedule CANNABIS to Schedule III, it remains Schedule I -having "no accepted medical use" and "high abuse potential".There's lots of use (legal in 24 states, DC, decriminalized in 7 states), but no evidence, research or guidelines. https://t.co/KumpvMHdhC
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Don't Stop the DMARDS!!
Retrospective study of 91 JIA pts (all types; 36% oligo, 27%poly) all Rx w/ cycles of DMARD therapy. Consistently two-thirds relapsed and flared. Only one-third of JIA patients were able to remain off DMARDs. https://t.co/ifqnMKfhAe https://t.co/bEqAxzRoq6
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JAMA Patient Education Page on what is Interstitial Lung Disease https://t.co/BDbV6I53NH https://t.co/1OtTiJHkdt
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RABBIT (German biologics register) study shows overall small increase in malignancy w/ JAKi vs bDMARDs. Risks greatest in those ≥ 60 yrs, w/ Hi Dz activity, on ≥3 prior csDMARDs. 2285 JAKi vs 4259 bDMARDs: 88 vs 135 malignancies CAs (IRs 11.6 vs 8.9; adj HR 1.40). JAKi risk https://t.co/AlK2SWn6UR
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Secukinumab fails in GCA phase 3 RCT. Novartis announced top-line results from the GCAptAIN study evaluating secukinumab in adults with newly diagnosed or relapsing GCA. In a steroid taper RCT, the endpoint was sustained remission at Wk 52 compared to placebo https://t.co/JuMDPvznCn
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First FcRn inhibitor in #IIM: In #ALKIVIA, SC efgartigimod PH20 improved TIS vs placebo at 24wks (50.45 vs 35.65, p=0.0004), with faster time to TIS≥20 (30 vs 71.5d) & TIS≥40 (113d vs NE). More major responders too (TIS>60: 34% vs 9.5%).
#EULAR2025 #OP0002 https://t.co/ulxtL1NX2Y
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Rheumatologists can’t ignore hypereosinopilic syndrome anymore, not when it borders on our diseases and therapies. Great takeaways on subtypes and therapies from Giacomo Emmi in an elegant talk #EULAR2025 @RheumNow https://t.co/yzQVt1fLKW https://t.co/kiX6kPPQP5
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PCR: Prevalence, Cost, & Risk (6.27.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from last week on RheumNow.
https://t.co/zt0OxwQ2BO https://t.co/eFqHwROQOj
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ARD's Impact Factor
The 2024 Impact Factor for ARD is 20.6 – an increase from 20.3 in 2023. This retains the journal’s position as second of 58 titles in the rheumatology category and confirms its status as the top-ranking journal for the publication of original research in both https://t.co/dtMTejkhcc
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TONIX pharm presented two phase 3 RCTs at #EULAR2025 demonstrating efficacy of sublingual cylcobenzaprine at bedtime in w/ significant reductions in Fibromyalgia pain scores. TNX-102 SL could be the 1st new FM drug to be FDA approved in >15 yrs. PDUFA (decision) date is 8.15.25. https://t.co/XNd8uYLQsJ
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Upcoming Lupus Nephritis Pipeline
1. Gazyva (obinutuzumab) – due for FDA/EMA decision
2. Saphnelo IV (anifrolumab) – now in Phase III (new indication for LN
3. Ianalumab SC (Dual-action B-cell inhibitor) – now in Phase III https://t.co/mTInV8JXzq https://t.co/jEv2uvhkqK
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JAK Inhibitors: The Latest from the JAK-pot Study
Dr. David Liew reports on abstract POS0150 - Evolution of Janus Kinase Inhibitors (JAKi) Prescriptions Since 2015 In An International Collaboration of Rheumatoid Arthritis Registers (The 'JAK-pot' Study): Effect of Regulatory https://t.co/KiOZuphQTx
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Full read overview of MDA-5 Dermatomyositis (DM) - pathogenesis, findings, & Rx. MDA-5 DM is a rare, aggressive amyopathic form with distinctive skin findings & rapidly progressive interstitial lung dz. Rx includes Hi dose steroids, calcineurin inhib & IV CTX (maybe JAKi, MMF)
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