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Treat-to-Target and Cardiovascular Benefits in Gout
A new user cohort study of 109 504 gout patients, achieving a serum urate level less than 6 mg/dL, was associated with a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular events.
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B cell Targeted CAR-T Therapy for Autoimmune Diseases
EurekAlert!
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy has emerged as a transformative approach in modern medicine, demonstrating remarkable efficacy in targeting pathogenic B-cell lineages with unprecedented specificity.
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Hydroxychloroquine Lowers SLE and RA Hospitalizations
A population based study from British Columbia, Canada, shows that antimalarial adherence was associated with a lower risk of hospital admission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Progress in GCA and Takayasu's Arteritis
I recently attended a fascinating lecture by Dr. Anisha Dua on progress in the diagnosis and treatment of large-vessel vasculitis, with a focus on giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu's arteritis. She opened with what felt like the most honest “state of the union” slide you can show a room full of rheumatologists: steroid burden is still enormous.
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SATISFACTION (2.27.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com.
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FDA has granted Fast Track designation to J&Js nipocalimab for use in #SLE based on the results of a Phase 2b JASMINE study in which nipocalimab demonstrated reduction in lupus disease activity and potential for steroid sparing https://t.co/puQN6ecScj https://t.co/au422eamLR
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Progress in GCA and Takayasu's Arteritis
Despite carefully planned taper schedules, about 75% of GCA patients remain on glucocorticoids after 4 years, and 74% experience side effects. In rheumatology, prolonged steroid use often leads to expected toxicity. https://t.co/l65ER5rGU8
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Observational study of 42 Mexican lupus nephritis pts on Immunosuppressives + Calcineurin Inhibitors (CNIs) @ 12 mos complete & partial responses seen in 26% & 36%, w/ signif reduction in proteinuria (2.89 vs 0.72 g/d, p < .001), & transient decrease in eGFR at 12 mo (109 vs 114) https://t.co/G70POtJwhS
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IL-23i fails in GCA? Small RCT of 53 GCA pts (age 71 yrs; 60% new; 40% relapsing GCA) 35 given Guselkumab vs 18 on PBO. Wk 28 GC free remission in 40% vs 33% (P .64), also w/ similar flare rates (31% v 39%). results didnt supportguselkumab use in GCA. https://t.co/AMTmiDBc94 https://t.co/KdWTX9K2Bo
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Diacerin, an IL-1β blocker, compared to placebo in a 262 pt RCT of knee pain, Knee #OA w/ inflammation. After 24 wks, 88% completed the trial & (vs PBO) diacerein did not improve knee pain (−19.9 vs −18.6 mm). 42% had AE/ GI Sxs were more w/ diacerein (42% vs 25% PBO https://t.co/QabS3xLN85
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CDC study of Death certificate data showed that btw 2018–2023, there were 14,936 #SLE deaths (43% w/ SLE as the underlying cause). Mortality rate per million: females 5.97 > males 1.16, blacks 10.7. Causes of death:heart disease (0.93), cancer (0.56), COVID-19 (0.51). https://t.co/qTe6O66wRO
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Full read review of JAK inhibitors. JAK inhibitors have a reasonably rapid onset of action and a short half-life, which facilitates management of any adverse effects. The half-life of Tofacitinib, Baricitinib & Upadacitinib is 3 hrs, 13 hrs. & 9-14hrs. https://t.co/C9t2SQ3Juq
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Early vs Delayed Belimumab in Lupus
An economic evaluation of early vs delayed use of the Blys inhibitor, belimumab (BEL), in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has shown both cost-effectiveness and clinical utility of early BEL initiation in active lupus patients. https://t.co/7unHZhR6Dd
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FDA has approved tocilizumab-anoh (Avtozma; Celltrion), a biosimilar to Actemra, for intravenous and subcutaneous use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), giant cell arteritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and COVID-19. https://t.co/qw7SJ7ZCK9
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Taiwan National retrospective study (2001-20) of 8732 newly Dx, biologic-naïve RA pts initiating b/tsDMARDs. Found no difference in malignancy event rates between DMARDs. 2.16% over 5-yr & 2.89% over 18yrs. (6384 Rx w/ TNFis, 667 w/ TCZ, 656 w/ ABA, 1025 on tsDMARDs) https://t.co/54ZMPywEYI
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UK Retrospective analysis of 2 RA cohorts, 2,701 pts (F/U 6 yrs) = 101 (3.7%) Dx with ILD. (12 @ baseline, 46 w/ F/U, 43 @ death). ILD Dx signif. assoc w/ onset age (aOR 1.03), seropositivity (aOR 2.58), ever smoking (aOR 1.7). https://t.co/Zvkb1Wjpa4 https://t.co/YMkWDc3rMr
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Danish DERMBIO registry of psoriasis pts Rx w/ biologics. Among 3790 bionaive pts ustekinumab had best 1-5 yr survival vs (ADA & SEC). In 3403 bioexperienced pts, bimekizumab, guselkumab, & risankizumab had highest 2-year drug survival rate. https://t.co/TInyLPMYkb https://t.co/UTPqa9erPU
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FDA Commissioner Marty Makary is seeking to make more drugs available without a prescription; and has stated “everything should be over-the-counter” unless the drug is addictive, unsafe, or requires monitoring. https://t.co/CGurlOWO8m https://t.co/bFwkpZ3kbn
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Full read review of JAK inhibitors. JAK inhibitors have a reasonably rapid onset of action and a short half-life, which facilitates management of any adverse effects. The half-life of Tofacitinib, Baricitinib & Upadacitinib is 3 hrs, 13 hrs. & 9-14hrs. https://t.co/jKO2LL2TVC
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3 Months of Romosozumab in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis
A report in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology suggested that 3 months of romosozumab (ROMO) followed by denosumab is as effective at increasing hip bone mineral density (BMD) as the standard 12-month course. https://t.co/6HfGFZqavF
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