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Secukinumab Use in Refractory Giant Cell Arteritis
In 2023, the phase 2 TitAIN study showed that the effectiveness and safety of secukinumab in 52 patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) who had an inadequate response to tocilizumab.
What happens in pre-RA when you stop #abatacept after 1 yr Rx
At 6 yrs approx 60% on #Placebo
V
50% who initially got #ABA
Prolonged damped effect of development of #RA
NNT for 1 yr is ~10 with a range as low as 6
#EULAR2025 @RheumNow @eular_org
Abst#OP0004 https://t.co/1VOEaZ00Ia
Links:
Janet Pope Janetbirdope ( View Tweet)
Should we start strong in PsA?
In the SPEED RCT (Coates et al), both early TNFi and combo csDMARDs outperformed step-up care in moderate-severe PsA. TNFi showed the most sustained benefit through 48w.
Abstract#OP0089
@RheumNow #EULAR2025
Jiha Lee JihaRheum ( View Tweet)
First FcRn inhibitor in #IIM: In #ALKIVIA, SC efgartigimod PH20 improved TIS vs placebo at 24wks (50.45 vs 35.65, p=0.0004), with faster time to TIS≥20 (30 vs 71.5d) & TIS≥40 (113d vs NE). More major responders too (TIS>60: 34% vs 9.5%).
@RheumNow #EULAR2025 #OP0002 https://t.co/75BfbXoVpL
Mrinalini Dey DrMiniDey ( View Tweet)
#MTX in new #PMR?!
RCT of #MTX was negative in early #PMR - no effect on #steroid #tapering
ACR24 #1697
At #EULAR2025
👇
+RCT of #methotrexate in PMR <8wks #steroids #Rx MTX 25 mg/wk v #placebo
N=64
⬆️GC remission ✅80% v 46%
⬇️relapse w MTX
🤔
Abst0064 @RheumNow #EULAR2025
Janet Pope Janetbirdope ( View Tweet)
Risk of #VTE in #rheumatoid #arthritis
Is it better over last 25 yrs?
👎
Olmstead
County population study of #RA Pts vs matched controls
⬆️VTE in RA
⬆️VTE w active RA
But not change in rates of #DVT & #PE since 2000
Why? 🤔
Abst#OP0070 @rheumnow #EULAR2025 @eular_org https://t.co/eSyjfjVqtY
Janet Pope Janetbirdope ( View Tweet)
135 pts w/ neurologic autoimmune dz (MS, GBS, myasthenia gravis) who had cancer & Rx w/ checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) showed exacerbations in SOME - 18% of MS pts, but 67%of MG, latter often w/ hospitalization (50%) or death (17%). GBS faired well w/ ICI Rx. https://t.co/RksC6QXce0 https://t.co/mYjzgxbcdQ
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Otilimab, GM-CSF mAb, may have potential in #RA. Metanalysis of 4 RCTs, w/ 3933 RA pts had Moderate evidence for ACR20 response (vs PBO) at 90 mg (RR 1.50) & 150 mg (RR 1.39). but neither dose had signif different adverse events vs PBO. OTIL was less effective than tofacitinib. https://t.co/2WajWNnxE9
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Retrospective multicentre study of 122 anti-synthetase syndrome pts - 14 (11%) had cancer associated myositis (CAM). The CAM SIR= 5.4 (elevated vs gen. pop. p < 0.0001). These pts were older, often +Hx cancer, lower CK levels, less weakness, worse survival. CAM cluster= older https://t.co/nuKg3P89a8
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
While there are trials in progress, there is no RCT data on the use of JAK inhibitors in Noninfectious Uveitis (NIU). But there is this metanalysis of many small case reports suggesting their potential efficacy in NIU. https://t.co/pBNsSmVjOz https://t.co/JrIGQGZjHt
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Positive results from Phase 2b RENOIR RCT of Rosnilimab, an agonist targeting PD-1+ T cells. 432 RA pts on MTX or csDMARDs, Rx w/ 6 mos of PBO vs ROS (100 or 200 mg q4wk or 600 mg q2wk). All 3 doses of rosnilimab achieved significant reductions DAS-28 CRP at Wk 12 https://t.co/g7lqQYXeJd
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
52 wk Phase 3 DBRPCT of daily anakinra (100 mg sc) vs PBO in 30 giant cell arteritis pts. At wk 16 (17 ANK vs 13 PBO) there was no significant difference in relapse rates (12% vs 23%; p = 0.63). Same at wk 52 (53% vs 49% relapse). ANK didnt reduce relapses or GC exposure https://t.co/RFkkaUchsW
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Review of Emerging Treatments for Vitiligo an immune mediated dz that affects QOL & has psychosocial impact. JAKi only ruxolitinib is FDA-approved, but Tofa & Bari show promise. Emerging therapies include simvastatin, afamelanotide, and metformin https://t.co/Rp2yYx6SyZ https://t.co/3RbDFVtJR5
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Denosumab and Osteoporosis - A JAMA Review
An overview of denosumab use in osteoporosis (OP) by Bauer and Ensrud was published in JAMA
https://t.co/3d7Q61nVKM https://t.co/i3DjtcsuWo
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Rules on Mycophenolate Use in SLE
Dr. Diane Kamen. a rheumatologist and lupologist from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina, discusses the use of mychophenolate in the management of systemic lupus.
https://t.co/ieiUNYQbsB https://t.co/KlC0dO06tc
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
SLE Treatment Landscape: Abundance or Overload?
Imagine a world where the multiple drugs in Phase 2 and 3 trials actually get approved, and we get access to them? I know you may be thinking that I am overly optimistic, but there are so many drugs in development in lupus that we https://t.co/xLgSU4ZLgP
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Metanalysis of 12 trials, 12 902 adults hospitalized w/ COVID betw May, 2020 & March, 2022 (7 Bari, 3 Tofa, 2 Ruxo). Fewer deaths in those on JAKi (11·7% vs 13·2%; aOR 0·67 [95% CI 0·55–0·82]; high-certainty evidence); 39 fewer deaths/1000. JAKs had less mechanical ventilation https://t.co/QSMRo3RcRr
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Systematic review of JAK inhibitor use in systemic sclerosis - 18 articles/87 SSc pts (80%F; ages 13–78 yrs). JAKi (83% tofa) mostly used for ILD & Skin Dz (45%) or GI+Skin Dz (39%). 87.5% improved, w/ 6% relapsed. Adverse events in 50% (20% infx). We need RCTs! This could be a https://t.co/lNFEX08Vn3
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Blau syndrome -a rare autoinflammatory Dz w/ triad of granulomatous dermatitis, arthritis, & uveitis (may cause blindness); from a NOD2 gain-of-function mutations. Onset age 2-4 yrs. Early biologics (esp TNFi) may prevent joint complications; but metanalysis shows no preferred https://t.co/wYTNv50tqM
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Methotrexate Fails in Knee Osteoarthritis
We'll be blunt: methotrexate flopped in a randomized placebo-controlled trial among patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.
https://t.co/Y9elFXTkhN https://t.co/oqDDVPGbh7
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)


