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Bifunctional B-cell Targeted Therapy in IgG4-related Disease
A novel B-cell depletion trial, using obexelimab (a bifunctional, monoclonal antibody that binds CD19 and Fc gamma receptor IIb), has shown efficacy and safety in patients with active IgG4-related disease.
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Tofacitinib in Polymyalgia Rheumatica (EAST PMR Study)
An open-label, uncontrolled pilot trial has shown that JAK signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of PMR and that tofacitinib is as effective as glucocorticoids (GC) in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).
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Predicting Inflammatory Arthritis in At-Risk Persons
The Annals of Internal Medicine has published a predictive score to distinguish low-risk from high-risk inflammatory arthritis (IA) and who may benefit from risk stratification and preventive measures.
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Pain in the Neck (7.28.2023)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com. This week COVID persists, mortality from misdiagnosis, and cervical pain is more than a pain in the neck.
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IL-23 Inhibitor Performance in Psoriatic Disease
IL-23 inhibitors are approved for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis; a single center real-world observational study shows three commercially available IL-23 inhibitors have high and similar drug survival and effectiveness in difficult-to-treat psoriasis and PsA.
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EULAR/ACR Guidance on Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis/Macrophage Activation Syndrome
A EULAR/American College of Rheumatology task force has established evidence based, up-to-date guidance and expert opinion on the evaluation, management and monitoring of patients with Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), with the primary intent to halt disease progression and prevent life-threatening complications from HLH/MAS.
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WHO Safety Study of Five TNF Inhibitors
Large scale analysis of adverse events (AEs) in World Health Organization (WHO) VigiAccess database showed no new safety signals associated with long-standing use of five TNFα inhibitors.
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SGLT2 Inhibitors Reduce Gout Flares and CV Events
A cohort analysis shows that gout patients initiating sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2is) had lower serum urate levels and fewer gouty flares requiring emergency department (ED) visits or hospitalizations.
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"Ask Cush Anything" Returns (7.21.2023)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports and this week, takes on 5 cases/questions from "Ask Cush Anything"
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Tofactitinib in PsA & RA: Nine Year Safety Data
Tofacitinib is FDA approved for psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but long term safety outcomes beyond a year are limited. A real-world, post-marketing surveillance of tofacitinib in PsA and RA shows a consistent pattern of safety with no new safety concerns identified.
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Voclosporin in SLE - Long-Term Safety and Efficacy
The AURORA 2 study evaluated the long-term safety and efficacy of voclosporin lupus nephritis patients and, after three years, demonstrated long term safety and efficacy following the one-year AURORA 1 study.
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RNase Treatment of Autoimmune Disorders
U1RNP complex, Ro/SSA and La/SSB are major RNA-containing autoantigens associated with autoimmune disorders. Immune complexes (ICs) composed of RNA-containing autoantigens and autoantibodies are suspected to be involved in the pathogenesis of some systemic autoimmune diseases.
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Danger with Hydroxychloroquine Nonadherence in SLE
A large cohort study shows that severe non-adherence to hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) results in serious risks for SLE flares, damage, and mortality.
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Hold the Methotrexate for One Week
In 2018, Park et al showed optimal responses to influenza vaccination in RA patients was best achieved by holding methotrexate for 2 weeks following immunization, with improved humoral responses. Now, a followup trial suggests that equivalent results are had by holding MTX for only 1 week with the "flu" vaccine.
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SLE and Pregnancy Outcomes
Obstetric complications and poor pregnancy outcomes are not uncommon in women with SLE, especially with active disease. A large Spanish cohort trials shows that term pregnancy is more likely before the diagnosis of SLE and that poorer pregnancy outcomes were associated with antibody positivity to anticardiolipin IgG and anti-beta-2- glycoprotein IgG/IgM, but not lupus anticoagulant.
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EULAR Points to Consider in Progressing Psoriasis to Psoriatic Arthritis
The transition from psoriasis to PsA – and the early diagnosis of PsA – is of considerable scientific and clinical interest. People typically have psoriatic skin disease for a decade or more before they begin to experience the joint involvement of PsA.
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