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September to Remember (9.5.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from RheumNow. This week - unemployment, diagnosing Sjogren's and a lot of ILD.

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Sjögren's Graduates (8.22.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports, FDA approvals, drug safety, and more from this week.

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It's now called Sjögren Disease!

Jack Cush, MD

Sjögren syndrome is now Sjögren disease, according to recommendations stemming from the 2023 International Rome consensus for the nomenclature of Sjögren disease.

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Teaching You How to Think… (8.15.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and press clippings from the past week on RheumNow. Positive results in a Sjogren's trial, to PT or not to PT, and  aphorisms to live by.

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Inefficiencies of ANA Testing

Jack Cush, MD

The Journal of Rheumatology has published an analysis of antinuclear antibody (ANA) multiplex testing showing its nonspecific utility and poor rate of return in identifying ANA-associated autoimmune rheumatic disease (ARDs).

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Promising role of Fc neonatal receptor blockade in autoimmune rheumatic diseases

Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof, MRCP(UK), PhD

During EULAR 2024, we learned about a novel mechanism of action therapy, nipocalimab in Sjogren’s disease (SjD). This is an anti-neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) mAb that reduces circulating IgG, including autoantibodies, by selectively blocking the interaction of IgG with FcRn. A year on at EULAR 2025, data from Phase 2 RCT of efgartigimod, an FcRn-inhibitor were presented in autoantibodies positive, moderate to severe active SjD. In addition to SjD, data from Phase 2 RCT of efgartigimod in inflammatory myopathies was presented.

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September to Remember (9.5.2025) Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from RheumNow. This week - unemployment, diagnosing Sjogren's and a lot of ILD. https://t.co/dPdweMaJuN https://t.co/aExU5kV26Q

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
EULAR & European Respiratory Society have published clinical practice guidelines for ILD assoc w/ connective tissue diseases (SSc, RA, SjD, IIM, SLE, MCTD). 2 publications included Dz specific ILD management algorithms; use of Hi Res CT over Lung Bx; ILD risk factors

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

Prospective study of 171 suspected Sjogrens (130 dx w/ SjD) pts compared Dx accuracy - Labial gland Bx best Dx efficacy (AUC 0.90), followed Ro/SSA (AUC 0.79), Omeract score (AUC 0.78). Salv gland US grade 3 strongly predicted +Bx (AUC 0.77) & correlated w/ salivary flow ~-0.5

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)

EHR analysis of Alaska Tribal Health System finds the prevalence of Sjögren's disease at 199 per 100K adults (primary SjD 129; secondary 70 (RA,SLE)). The age-adjusted incidence 16.6 per 100K Pt-Yrs. Only 5% had salivary gland Bx & 3% met 2016 ACR/EULAR or 2012 ACR criteria https://t.co/4tMdWIGTEi
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Telitacicept, a BLyS (BAFF)/APRIL dual-target fusion drug, announced it has met the primary endpoint in its Phase III clinical trial in treating primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) in China. Primary endpoint was the change in ESSDAI score at Week 24. https://t.co/afOgpGLdV1 https://t.co/9EKbbrCgTL

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Teaching You How to Think… (8.15.2025) Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and press clippings from the past week on RheumNow. Positive results in a Sjogren's trial, to PT or not to PT, and aphorisms to live by. https://t.co/2MhzjNCUEW https://t.co/Mt9iEAYKsK

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Novartis announced top line results of its ianalumab (VAY736;B cell inhibitor) in primary Sjögren’s dz. 2 RCTs, NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2, met met primary endpoints w/ statistically significant improvements in disease activity in Sjögren’s patients. https://t.co/cIBhF3YJh3 https://t.co/YRTq6LEFhm

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
SSB, > SSA, Abs are signif associated w/ abnormal DLCO (AUC 0.791) in Sjogrens syndrome, esp in assoc. w/ LIP- lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis. These findings more likely in quadruple positive Sjogrens w/ RF/ANA/SSA/SSB positivity. https://t.co/s6IyRzfXiN https://t.co/rKDBovTOpl

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
SSB, > SSA, Abs are signif associated w/ abnormal DLCO (AUC 0.791) in Sjogrens syndrome, esp in assoc. w/ LIP- lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis. These findings more likely in quadruple positive Sjogrens w/ RF/ANA/SSA/SSB positivity. https://t.co/s6IyRzfXiN https://t.co/J3bMowsrUQ

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Promising role of Fc neonatal receptor blockade in autoimmune rheumatic diseases During the Late-Breaking Abstract session at EULAR 2024, we learned about a novel mechanism of action therapy, nipocalimab in Sjogren’s disease (SjD). https://t.co/5bjyaqTqSN https://t.co/i4mGMYfyNK

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
#EULAR2025 Abstr#OP0041 FcRn-inhibition is showing consistency in #Sjogren. Last year it was Nipocalimab. This proof-of-concept study showed efgartigimod met its primary endpoint, the CRESS response. No difference in ESSPRI. Phase 3 UNITY is underway @RheumNow https://t.co/jw1i4FqkIh

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Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof Yuz6Yusof ( View Tweet)
#EULAR2025 Abstr#OP0265 Do we have convenient biomarkers to help predict new ANA+ referral who would progress to #SLE #Sjogren at 12 mths? Proteomics analysis identified IFN and B-cell markers. Validation is needed and to incorporate clinical items into prognostic model @RheumNow https://t.co/TWClLTKQ0b

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Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof Yuz6Yusof ( View Tweet)
RepurpSS-II RCT (n=46): LEF + HCQ significantly improved systemic disease activity (ESSDAI -4.13) vs PBO in primary #Sjögrens. ⭐️🌱STAR/CRESS response rates also favoured active treatment. Safe, accessible, affordable option for active disease. @RheumNow #EULAR2025 #LB0005

Mrinalini Dey DrMiniDey ( View Tweet)

#EULAR2025 Abstr#LB0005 Phase IIb RCT in moderate #Sjogren reported significant reduction in ESSDAI at WK24 from BL in HCQ-Leflunomide vs PBO. CRESS & STAR improved. No significant difference in UWS, Schirmer, & ESSPRI. Future work: cohort of high symptom burden @RheumNow

Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof Yuz6Yusof ( View Tweet)

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