Potential Reasons Why Osteoarthritis Preferentially Affects Women

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Researchers from Augusta University have examined exosomes from patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) to enhance our molecular understanding of the pathogenesis of OA. (Citation source http://buff.ly/2tuDZ3v)

Suspending Methotrexate for Influenza Vaccination

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Vaccinating our rheumatoid arthritis patients against influenza every year is a safety priorty. However immunosuppressive therapies pose a challenge to vaccine administration as their use can hamper vaccine immunogenicity.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 2 June 2017

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the past week on RheumNow.com. 

Anti-IL-5 Success in Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis

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The NEJM reports success when using mepolizumab (anti-IL-5 monoclonal antibody) in a 52 week study of patients with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).

IL-6 Inhibitor Kevzara Granted FDA Approval for Rheumatoid Arthritis

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The FDA has approved sarilumab (Kevzara), a new IL-6 inhibitor co-developed by Regeneron and Sanofi's, for use in adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Venous Thromboembolism Risk Factors in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis

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A retrospective analysis of four European vasculitis trials analyzes the risk venous thromboembolism (VTE) with ANCA-associated vasculitis and shows that CRP, cutaneous and GI involvement and baseline creatinine were most associated with VTE risk.

Elimination of Senescent Chondrocytes Reduces Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis

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A study in the April 24 issue of Nature Medicine suggests that senescent cells in the joint contribute to age-related degenerative disease and that their removal can abrogate disease. 

FDA Approves Renflexis as Second Infliximab Biosimilar

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On the 21st of April, the FDA approved another infliximab biosimilar, called Renflexis (Infliximab-abda) following on the biologics license application of the South Korean manufacturer Samsung Bioepis Co. LTD.  In early developmental trials this agent was also called SB2.

The RheumNow Week in Review – 31 March 2017

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from the news and Advances in Targeted Therapies meeting in Mandelieu, France:

Tweeting this week from Advances in Targeted Therapies #ATT2017 in Mandelieu, France.

NEJM Reviews Psoriatic Arthritis

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A comprehensive review of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) was published this week in the NEJM, authored by leaders in the field, Drs. Ritchlin, Colbert and Gladman.

High points from their review inlcuded:

The RheumNow Week in Review – 17 March 2017

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights in the news from the past week at RheumNow.com.  News on hepatitis C in RA and risk of hepatotoxicity; TNF inhibitor persistence in PsA; unnecessary injections in pre-operative OA knee patients; and a delay in the FDA decision on abaloparatide.

FDA Invites Open Commentary on Biosimilar Interchangeability

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In January 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its draft guidance on the issue of interchangeability between biosimilars and originator biologic drugs. The window for your input will close on May 18, 2017. RheumNow encourages you to participate in this exercise and express your opinion.

Oral Bacteria Driving ACPA and Rheumatoid Arthritis

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The current JAMA has a perspective piece on the role of the oral microbiome in the pathogenesis and references a recent article by Konig et al on "Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans–induced hypercitrullination links periodontal infection to autoimmunity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)." (Citation

Targeting CD11b as Treatment for Lupus

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Researchers from Rush University Medical Center have reported in the March 6 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation that engagement of the integrin CD11b with a novel compound, may improved outcomes in patients iwth systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

TNF Inhibitor Therapy and the Risk of Anterior Uveitis Recurrence

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The TNF inhibitor drug development trials have indirectly taught us that monoclonal antibody based TNFi was capable of retarding the recurrence of anterior uveitis (AU) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Baricitinib Approved in the EU for Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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The European Commission has approved Eli Lilly's rheumatoid arthritis drug Olumiant (baricitinib) for use in Europe for RA patients with moderate-to-severe active disease in adults who have not responded one or more disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Crohn's Arthritis Linked to E. Coli Infection

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Articular manifestations of Crohn's disease affects a significant number of patients with either oligoarticular or RA-like polyarthritis or spondyloarthritis.

Cytoplasmic Autoantibodies in the Anti-Synthetase Syndrome

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Patients known to be autoantibody positive (e.g., anti- Jo1) for the anti-synthetase syndrome were assayed by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) for other reactivities, showing antinuclear staining (ANA) or cytoplasmic staining (Anti-Cyt Ab+).

Novel Peripheral Helper T Cells in RA

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US and UK researchers have identified a unique subset of helper T-cells called ‘peripheral helper’ T-cells in the synoviums that may be linked to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Curbside Consults - January 2017

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Curbside Consults are cases submitted by our rheumatology colleagues as challenging therapeutic or safety issues. Answers are based on experience, with added evidence from the medical literature and published guidelines.