Shingles Vaccine Studies in A&R

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The current issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology features an editorial and two novel articles on the herpes zoster vaccine.

Canakinumab Reduces CV Outcomes in High Risk Patients

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The results of a randomized, double-blind trial have shown that canakinumab (CAN), an interleukin-1β inhibitor, given as 150 mg every 3 months, resulted in a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events (in high-risk CV patients), independent of lipid-level lowering. The results of the CANTOS studywere simultaneously published in NEJM, Lancet and were presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting in Barcelona.

Therapeutic Update: 5 Questions on Sirukumab FDA Hearing

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Drs. Cush and Gibofsky answer 5 questions about the August 2, 2017 FDA Arthritis Advisory Committee meeting that reviewed the NDA for sirukumab use in rheumatoid arthritis. The panel voted against (1-12) the approval of sirukumab.

H1N1 Vaccination Triggers TLR Activation and Autoantibody Production in DMARD-naïve pSS

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Increased morbidity and mortality from infectious causes in patients with autoimmune disorders has led to the overall consensus that vaccination of such patients is important and should be widely promoted in clinical practice.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 4 August 2017

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews new FDA decisions on sirukumab and tofacitinib as well as other news items from the past week on RheumNow.com. 

Inflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases are Not Rare in HIV Patients

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HIV infection and AIDs has been associated with numerous complications, presumably resulting from impaired immunity from infection.  Sporadic cases and small cohorts of patients with rheumatic and autoimmune syndromes have been described but epidemiology data on the prevalence is scarce.

CDC: Pneumococcal Vaccination in Adults

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Streptococcus pneumonia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in adults; including patients with autoimmune diseases who are at particular risk.

Managing Secondary Non-Response to Rituximab in Lupus

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Rituximab, a chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has been effectively used in the treatment of multiple autoimmune disorders for over two decades. But the response to rituximab has been shown to not be as effective in SLE as it is in RA. 

Lymphopenia and Steroids Increase the Risk of Pneumocystis Jiroveci in Systemic Rheumatic Diseases

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It is well-known that patients with systemic autoimmune diseases are at risk for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) and although infrequent, it carries a high mortality. A new study shows lymphopenia and steroid use increases the risk of PJP.

Linkage Between Gut and Joint Immunity in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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Pianta, et al have published their findings in the Journal of Clinical Investigation showing that two novel autoantigens, GNS and FLNA, are highly expressed in synovium and share a sequence homology with gut microbesa; thereby providing a potential link between gut mucosal and joint immunity in rheumatoid arthritis. 

Potential Reasons Why Osteoarthritis Preferentially Affects Women

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Researchers from Augusta University have examined exosomes from patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) to enhance our molecular understanding of the pathogenesis of OA. (Citation source http://buff.ly/2tuDZ3v)

Suspending Methotrexate for Influenza Vaccination

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Vaccinating our rheumatoid arthritis patients against influenza every year is a safety priorty. However immunosuppressive therapies pose a challenge to vaccine administration as their use can hamper vaccine immunogenicity.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 2 June 2017

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com. 

Anti-IL-5 Success in Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

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The NEJM reports success when using mepolizumab (anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody) in a 52 week study of patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).

IL-6 Inhibitor Kevzara Granted FDA Approval for Rheumatoid Arthritis

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The FDA has approved sarilumab (Kevzara), a new IL-6 inhibitor co-developed by Regeneron and Sanofi's, for use in adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Venous Thromboembolism Risk Factors in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis

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A retrospective analysis of four European vasculitis trials analyzes the risk venous thromboembolism (VTE) with ANCA-associated vasculitis and shows that CRP, cutaneous and GI involvement and baseline creatinine were most associated with VTE risk.

Elimination of Senescent Chondrocytes Reduces Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis

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A study in the April 24 issue of Nature Medicine suggests that senescent cells in the joint contribute to age-related degenerative disease and that their removal can abrogate disease. 

FDA Approves Renflexis as Second Infliximab Biosimilar

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On the 21st of April, the FDA approved another infliximab biosimilar, called Renflexis (Infliximab-abda) following on the biologics license application of the South Korean manufacturer Samsung Bioepis Co. LTD.  In early developmental trials this agent was also called SB2.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 31 March 2017

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the news and Advances in Targeted Therapies meeting in Mandelieu, France:

Tweeting this week from Advances in Targeted Therapies #ATT2017 in Mandelieu, France.