A recent Forbes article, "Biosimilars Are Making Inroads In U.S., But It’s Still A Bumpy Ride", reviews the current state and reasons for slowish uptake of these significant cost-savings alternatives to biologic therapy in treating cancer and autoimmune disorders. The following are takeaway bullets from this informative article.
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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week from RheumNow.com.
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Gut microbiome changes linked to onset of RA
EurekAlert!
VA #RA registry study of 263 RA-ILD pts (mean 69 yrs, 95% male, 73% W, 85% smokers), finds the MUC5B promoter variant in 33.5%. While the MUC5B variant is assoc w/ RA-ILD risk, it does not predict survival or mortality. Other genetic & nongenetic factor must be responsible… https://t.co/sr1AtAZRDT https://t.co/KKD7RLnIqR
Taiwan claims data study of 135 230 patients who received antineoplastic medications, found that immune checkpoint inhibitors use was associated with a 2-fold increased risk of developing psoriasis (HR 2.43).
https://t.co/m5eGT56W12 https://t.co/h5FjQpHOpF
Memory B cells are dysfunctional in #SLE. They are anergic B cell receptor signalling, but responsiveness to Toll-like receptor (TLR) and type I interferon signalling. BCR hyporesponsiveness of memory B cells may explain failure non-depleting B cell Rx in SLE… https://t.co/naBYtgLBGd https://t.co/5sJibS9esn
Full read JAMA ILD Review article. ILD= 33% idiopathic (IPF) + 15% hypersensitivity pneumonitis + 25% from CTD.
30% of ILD has cough
Chest CT 91% sensitive, 71% specific
5% decr in FVC/12 mos assoc w/ 2-fold incr in mortality
Rx options nintedanib or pirfenidone, TCZ, MMF, RTX… https://t.co/9pET497zjC https://t.co/P8XVlVmmLd
Overview of Uveitis management of adult & pediatric rheumatology.
- Uveitis accounts for 10% of visual impairment globally
- TNF inhib are effective; w/ IL-6 inhib as 2nd line options https://t.co/CmGuA7W4Ag https://t.co/p5aEQlV7p6
211 SSc patients, men and younger women, have lower BMD than the population (Osteopenia in 52% & 16.5% osteoporosis; P=0.001). Low BMD in women assoc w/ Finger ulcers, diffuse involvement, older age, & being post-menopausal https://t.co/qyvEJoIbKH https://t.co/zj2Fn1oU5n
Virtual Yoga Effective in Chronic Low Back Pain
A randomized trial of 140 adults with chronic low back pain (CLBP) demonstrated that virtual yoga instruction resulted in significant improvements in CLBP patients compared to the wait-list control group.
https://t.co/BuYWb1wCXG https://t.co/tQawiZFIJv
New download available!
Substitute Inflammatory Measures
https://t.co/FiZSvvl5DA https://t.co/QwVefFLcHO
Serial MRI study of SI & lumbar (LS) joints in 24 early axSpA (Sxs < 5.5yrs) over 3 yrs, showed:
- SIJ developed bone marrow edema, sclerosis & erosion.
- LS: fat lesions decreased & erosions increased.
- Facet joint inflammation (in t0) significantly influenced yr 3. LS bony… https://t.co/COlFAXVE1x https://t.co/4Xs9ngJN4w
Save the date! RheumNow will be covering #ACR24 from 11/14-11/19. Get ready for daily recaps, live streaming and much, much, more! https://t.co/rDMFH3wlbc
Overlap Syndrome with ILD
https://t.co/4CG6CU4g2r https://t.co/EFjRrblepN
Long Covid Defined
While COVID-19 has infected over 7 million worldwide, it is estimated that 7% of adults (and >1% of children) or 15 to 20 million Americans have developed long COVID, a chronic condition with systemic and often disabling symptoms.
https://t.co/9njt8Kqe7P https://t.co/2V5OVlUrfQ
Advances in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic, progressive liver disease caused by immune system dysregulation that targets the liver. If untreated, AIH can lead to severe complications, including cirrhosis and liver failure.… https://t.co/6GtWZ8tDDv https://t.co/YuJrcOyaGP
Literature review of the treatment of IgA Vasculitis (Henoch–Schönlein Purpura) suggests:
- Glucocorticoids are 1st -line therapy, esp if severe
- For minor HSP: colchicine, dapsone, & methotrexate may be useful
- Also studied cyclosporine A, tacrolimus, MMF… https://t.co/ZoZX3kyHvo https://t.co/dS82ekuEkv
Study of at-risk & early RA Synovium suggests an early pathogenic myeloid signature (IL-1B+CCL20+ & SPP1+MT2A+ macrophage clusters) before disease onset. These display heightened CD40 expression, capable of shaping stromal cell responses https://t.co/CYmb1ro9g9 https://t.co/9pXbqHaQ2G
Susac syndrome is a rare disease of young women characterised by microvessel occlusive Dz limited to the brain, retina, and inner ear. Rx is steroids, but Lancet Rheumatol Review of Rx shows no benefit of immunosuppressive Rx https://t.co/FvJa9OZLWL https://t.co/NVS0I3ofm8
EULAR Review of Lifestyle Improvements for Rheumatic Patients
A EULAR taskforce evaluated lifestyle behaviors' effects on rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), finding moderate evidence for minor benefits from certain dietary components. However, high-level evidence on… https://t.co/maaz8W5IUT https://t.co/QiE6Oo1MzX


