RheumNow Week in Review - 8 April 2016

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the rheumatology highlights from the news, media, and journals from this past week:

Tofacitinib Efficacy Revealed in OPAL Study

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Pfizer has issued a press release of its preliminary results from the OPAL study that examined the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib 5 mg and 10 mg twice daily (BID) in adults active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Severe Psoriasis Associated with a Renal Disease Risk

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There have been several reports of psoriasis being linked to chronic renal disease in the literature. Another population-based study has also found a link between severe psoriasis and kidney disease. 

Incidence of Psoriatic Arthritis Among Psoriasis Patients

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Researchers at the University of Toronto have prospectively studied a cohort of 464 psoriasis patients without a diagnosis of arthritis and followed them over 8 years to estimate the incidence and frequency of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). 

Week in Review - 25 March 2016

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1. phase 3, BRIDGE study shows romosozumab (anti-sclerostin MAb) significantly increases lumbar BMD in men with osteoporosis


2. Statin use is associated with a 21% increased risk of skin cancer (NMSC) - data

FDA Approves Taltz for Psoriasis

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Tuesday the FDA approved the IL-17 inhibitor, Taltz (ixekizumab) for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. (Citation source http://buff.ly/1py10wd) 

Ixekizumab Superior to Etanercept in Psoriasis

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The UNCOVER-2 and UNCOVER-3 trials were presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting taking this week in Washington, D.C.

Subclinical Synovitis in Psoriasis Portends Future Psoriatic Arthritis

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It is estimated that nearly 30% of psoriasis patients will develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA).  This prevalence was studied by performing MRI scans on asymptomatic psoriasis (n=56) and 30 control patients without arthritis. 

Challenges of Dermatomyositis Progress

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In the current issue of Lancet, Pierre Miossec discusses the challenges of studying and managing juvenile dermatomyositis and, specifically, the

Rheumatoid Arthritis, TNF inhibitors and the Risk of Skin Cancer

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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are said to have a neutral risk for neoplasia, but this is because they have a lower risk of colon cancer and breast cancer but a higher risk of lung cancer, lymphoma and skin cancers.

Secukinumab Shows Efficacy in Two Ankylosing Spondylitis Trials

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NEJM has published the results of two studies wherein IL-17 inhibition with secukinumab (SEC) was shown to be effective in patients with anklylosing spondylitis.

Tofacitinib Shows Promise in Alopecia, Eczema and Vitiligo

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Tofacitinib has been approved for use in rheumatoid arthritis.

The Rising Price of Dermatologic Drugs

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Containment of health care costs was a primary goal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. But there is little evidence of success in curbing the rising price of prescription drugs. As such, many medications are unaffordable to those who need them.

Chronic Digital Ulcers in Systemic Sclerosis Portends More Complications

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A prospective, international observational study of systemic sclerosis patients enrolled in the Digital Ulcers Outcome (DUO) Registry: Patients were required to have ≥3 follow-up visits over at least a 2 year observation period between 2008-2013.

Eczema May Respond to Tofacitinib

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A recent report from the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that the oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor tofacitinib to be effective in the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

From Psoriasis to PsA: Who and Why?

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The number of patients with psoriasis who go on to develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is considerably higher than has previously been estimated, a prospective cohort study found.

Repeat Skin Cancer Risk with Methotrexate and Biologics

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Using Medicare claims data, a retrospective cohort study analyzed the risk of a second non-melanomatous skin cancer (NMSC) in 9460 individuals (6841 with RA and 2788 with IBD).

High Level Skin Responses Seen with Inhibitor of IL-23p19 in Psoriasis

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Rheumatology News reports the results of a novel trial presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology meeting in Copenhagen.

Brodalumab vs. Ustekinumab: Head-to-Head Studies of Psoriasis

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AMAGINE-2 and AMAGINE-3 are in two phase 3 studies that compare multiple doses of brodalumab (anti-IL-17) and ustekinumab (anti-12/23) in adults with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.