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DNA,genotyping,gene,sequencing

Molecular profiling of RA synovium predicts biologic responses

Jack Cush, MD

Machine learning analysis of pre-treatment synovial tissue biopsy from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients starting either etanercept (ETN), tocilizumab (TCZ) and rituximab (RTX) revealed

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hospital,surgery

Variability of Guidelines on the Perioperative Use of DMARDs in Rheumatic Diseases Patients

Jack Cush, MD

More effective treatments in patients with rheumatic diseases have resulted in less need for major surgery, yet a substantial number of RMD patients will undergo surgery often in the setting of DMARDs use. A scoping review looked at numerous clinical practice guidelines/recommendations for the perioperative management of DMARDs and found inconsistencies and low quality evidence, with great reliance on conditional (expert opinion) recommendations.

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Hmmm Really? (7.11.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week - some obvious, other new thoughts and some - hmmm, reallly?

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cancer search news magnify

No Increased Malignancy Risk with Ixekizumab

Jack Cush, MD

A pooled analysis of 25 randomized clinical trials affirms the safety of ixekizumab (IXE) when used to treat patients with psoriasis (PsO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).

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Cancer Survival Outcomes in Autoimmune Skin Disease Patients

Jack Cush, MD

Patients with autoimmune skin diseases (ASDs) with cancer had significantly better cancer survival outcomes than those without ASD, suggesting coexistant autoimmune or inflammatory disease does not adversely affect a cancer prognosis.

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Reducing Progression of Psoriasis to Psoriatic Arthritis

MedPage Today

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor therapy was effective in reducing the likelihood that psoriasis would progress to psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a retrospective study indicated.

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Stroke in patients with SLE is associated with a poorer outcome than matched controls in terms of functional recovery, recurrence, and mortality - study of 40 SLE vs 120 controls w/ CVA https://t.co/spBT1u6bfj https://t.co/eVNYBogJWz

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Sulfasalazine as a preventative against Pneumocystis (PJP). 594 RA pts & 848 Rx episodes - 181 on SSZ, 667 controls. W/ 850 Pt-Yrs F/U, 21developed PCP, 3 died of PCP. SSZ significantly lowered PJP risk (p = 0.003, rate ratio = 0.05; 95% CI 0.00–0.34). https://t.co/PAgBaJGldR https://t.co/VV3MvVEGal

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
NHANES study (2007 to 2020) of 19,904 participants (≥ 20 years), including 1,477 RA pts. Prevalence of kidney stones was higher in RA (17% vs. 8%, p < 0.001) (OR = 1.77) https://t.co/0NZKQdQWR8 https://t.co/BRZ1RTNh5W

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
No Increased Malignancy Risk with Ixekizumab A pooled analysis of 25 randomized clinical trials affirms the safety of ixekizumab (IXE) when used to treat patients with psoriasis (PsO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The observed incidences of https://t.co/7dAoQyeq5x
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RABBIT (German biologics register) study shows overall small increase in malignancy w/ JAKi vs bDMARDs. Risks greatest in those ≥ 60 yrs, w/ Hi Dz activity, on ≥3 prior csDMARDs. 2285 JAKi vs 4259 bDMARDs: 88 vs 135 malignancies CAs (IRs 11.6 vs 8.9; adj HR 1.40). JAKi risk https://t.co/PRn0G94CB0
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Rheums! Question or case for Jack Cush? Record it here and we may feature it on an upcoming podcast. https://t.co/HsqM9xLNtP https://t.co/voONsOLeSK

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Study of 176 anti-MDA5-DM patients and 55 controls found anti-IFN-α Abs in 18% of MDA5-DM pts, higherin those >60 yrs. IFN-α Ab-positivity assoc w/ RP-ILD (68% vs. 41%) & pulmonary infxn (74% vs. 46%, esp fungi), Mortality (p = 0.006). https://t.co/6w6S3nozPI https://t.co/FoXEIuLBEk

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Swedish Medical Birth Register study of pregnancy in systemic sclerosis (SSc) shows increased risk of preeclampsia (RR 3.8; 1.8-7.8), preterm birth (3.3; 1.8-6.1), & caesareans (2.5; 1.8-3.5) esp w/ 1st pregnancy -- but not incr. maternal or neonatal death, nor stillbirth https://t.co/SNSK5947zO
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Despite 2024 HHS proposal to reschedule CANNABIS to Schedule III, it remains Schedule I -having "no accepted medical use" and "high abuse potential".There's lots of use (legal in 24 states, DC, decriminalized in 7 states), but no evidence, research or guidelines. https://t.co/KumpvMHdhC
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
1 yr study of falls studied in 100 RA & 80 PsA pts. 33% of RA & 46% of PsA reported falls, w/ a higher frequency in PsA Pts (p=0.02). Falls associated w/ disease duration and HAQ score. As falls are assoc w/ high morbidity & mortality risk, pts should be questioned about FALLS https://t.co/tP7zmGCZcw
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Case–control study RA pts > 65yrs in US. SEER (cancer) database (2014–2019). Overall cancer risk not associated with use of JAKi (adjOR 1.04), TNFi (0.98) or other bDMARDs (0.98). But, JAKi use was assoc w/ incr risk of lung CA (OR 1.40), esp in Males (2.12) & >2 yrs JAKi. Lower https://t.co/u2psafyN1I
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Biologic experienced ankylosing spondylitis patient show better retention on TNF compared to IL-17 inhibitors. 148 AS pts (F/U 31 mos), IL-17i drug survival trended better but only signif after 3yrs. More D/C w/ higher BASDAI (HR: 1.3) & ^# prior biologics (HR 1.62) https://t.co/5HXGsV4xol
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Granzyme expression is upregulated in RA, esp early RA. Blood & synovium from early arthritis & TNFi nonresponders (R4RA RCT) gene expression five granzymes, perforin, & serglycin determined by bulk RNA-sequencing data. GZM A, B, H, K, M, PRF-1, SRGN was higher in lymphoid https://t.co/v1rdFZHuuh
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RABBIT (German biologics register) study shows overall small increase in malignancy w/ JAKi vs bDMARDs. Risks greatest in those ≥ 60 yrs, w/ Hi Dz activity, on ≥3 prior csDMARDs. 2285 JAKi vs 4259 bDMARDs: 88 vs 135 malignancies CAs (IRs 11.6 vs 8.9; adj HR 1.40). JAKi risk https://t.co/AlK2SWn6UR
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
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