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ANA Pollution (2.06.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal articles and regulatory news from this past week on RheumNow.com

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FDA vs. Amgen: At Odds Over Avacopan

MedPage Today

The FDA has requested that Amgen voluntarily withdraw avacopan (Tavneos), a treatment for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, but the company said it has no plans to pull the drug from the market.

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ALTO: Long-Term Abatacept Outcomes in At-Risk RA

Jack Cush, MD

Lancet Rheumatology has published the ALTO results - long term outcomes of the APIPPRA trial, demonstrating that treatment with abatacept (ABA) in at risk patients can delay progression to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for up to 4 years.

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RheumNow Live Preview (1.30.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from RheumNow.com - and the top 5 reasons to attend RheumNow Live 2026, which is one week away.

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Aortitis in Giant Cell Arteritis Treated with Tocilizumab

Jack Cush, MD

The The Tocilizumab in Giant Cell Arteritis Spanish Collaborative Group studied giant cell arteritis with aortitis, comparing the efficacy of intravenous vs. subcutaneously (SC) tocilizumab (TCZ) - demonstrating the superiority of SC TCZ.

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Notch and TGFβ Signaling in Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis

EurekAlert!

Spatial transcriptomic profiling of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial biopsies (pre- and post-treatment) has revealed new insights into the pathobiology or treatment resistent RA. 

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Difficult to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Cush addresses the management of difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis (D2TRA).

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B Cells at the Brink in Sjögren Disease

Jack Cush, MD

The current issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology reviews current understanding of the immunopathogenesis of Sjögren disease (SjD) and how that has influenced the quest for drug development for this most systemic autoimmune disorder. 

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Emergencies, Independence & Hemorrhage (1.23.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and reports from the past two weeks on RheumNow.Com

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FDA has announced "Breakthrough Designation" for 3 drugs + 1 test being developed: ** Biogen: litifilimab (targets dendritic cells) for cutaneous lupus ** Novartis: Ianalumab (BAFF blockade) for Sjogrens ** J&J: Nipocaiimab (FcRn) for Sjogrens ** Encarta: pocket Lyme test https://t.co/RMKg14rejq
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FDA sent a complete response letter to AstraZeneca on their application (BLA) for anifrolumabs (Saphnelo) subcutaneous use in SLE. Despite a positive TULIP-SC trial & EU approval of SC-anifrolumab, FDA & sponsor still have to work things out. CRL reasons are unknown https://t.co/3dNwEyolrj
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Potential New Rheumatology Drugs for 2026. These have had successful phase III RCTs and will need to be reviewed by regulators: ** deucravacitinib (Sotyktu) Tyk2 inhib for PsA ** Icotrokinra (Icotyde) oral IL-23i for psoriasis ** brepocitinib TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor for https://t.co/CQmfjIDMp3
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA has announced "Breakthrough Designation" for 3 drugs + 1 test being developed: ** Biogen: litifilimab (targets dendritic cells) for cutaneous lupus ** Novartis: Ianalumab (BAFF blockade) for Sjogrens ** J&J: Nipocaiimab (FcRn) for Sjogrens ** Encarta: pocket Lyme test https://t.co/zODOTWyqP8
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
The EMA CHMP has started a review of oral complement C5 inhibitor avacopan (Tavneos) based on serious questions about amendments to the data from the pivotal ADVOCATE study. The drug was approved in 2021 for use in GPA & MPA. https://t.co/a5ggUqk1dG

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B Cells at the Brink in Sjögren Disease The current issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology reviews the current understanding of the immunopathogenesis of Sjögren disease (SjD) and how this understanding has informed drug development for this systemic autoimmune disorder. https://t.co/p3dn1Ca2ag
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Roche Canada announced that Health Canada has approved obinutuzumab (Gazyva) for the treatment of adult patients with active lupus nephritis who are receiving standard therapy. Following four initial doses in the first year, Gazyva can be administered twice yearly https://t.co/P4dCVkoPCH
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APPIPRA Study - Benefits of Early Treatment Treating people who are at high risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can delay the onset of the disease for several years, with benefits also continuing well after treatment has stopped. https://t.co/GYguq7VlqT https://t.co/5Z0BXIm3cM

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Roche Canada announced that Health Canada has approved obinutuzumab (Gazyva) for the treatment of adult patients with active lupus nephritis who are receiving standard therapy. Following four initial doses in the first year, Gazyva can be administered twice yearly https://t.co/snAVErShjK
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Retrospective real-world study of 87 Behcets dz pts & inital Rx w/ IFX (n 45) or ADA (n 42) (2020 to 2025) & >60% were on AZA. Complete remission achieved in 76% (IFX) vs 79% (ADA) initially, & 89% vs 77% last visit. Same Rx retention but more relapses w/ IFX (38% v 17%) https://t.co/6FiuYe0GI9
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Did you know theres a Subcutaneous (SC) rituximab (Hycela)? Its same RTX but combined w/ hyaluronidase, faster 5-7 minute injection Vs hours for IV RTX. FDA approved 2017 for Follicular Lymphoma (FL) and Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). Give 1st dose IV, then use SC RTX. https://t.co/piQ2ZhAOyf
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