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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, reports, pipeline and drug repurposing on this week’s podcast.
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The Journal of Rheumatology has published an analysis of antinuclear antibody (ANA) multiplex testing showing its nonspecific utility and poor rate of return in identifying ANA-associated autoimmune rheumatic disease (ARDs).
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Detailed analysis of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database shows that tobacco and smoking is one of the most significant environmental risk factors for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) over the last 20 years.
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Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease, and approximately 30%-40% of patients develop pulmonary complications such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but the causal relationship between the two has long been unclear.
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Sandborg et al. has published an overview of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) - its classification, biology, genetics, , clinical presentations and treatment advances in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
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RheumNow's August 2025 “Live Vote” surveys examine Rheumatologist impressions, knowledge and practices over the last 20 years when treating rheumatoid arthritis.
The first survey on RA Treatment (7/28/2025) sheds light on evolving prescribing habits, use of biologics, and key frustrations in RA care.
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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and a new treatment for RA from the FDA.
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SetPoint Medical announced that the FDA has approved the company’s SetPoint System, a first-in-class neuroimmune modulation innovation for treatment of moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for those who are not adequately managed by—or cannot tolerate—existing advanced RA therapies, such as biological and targeted synthetic DMARDs.
Dr. John Cush
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Smoking and the Global Burden of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Detailed analysis of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database shows that tobacco and smoking is one of the most significant environmental risk factors for RA over the last 20 years.
https://t.co/4IDf1ZTl7w https://t.co/oM0bNXIw28
Dr. John Cush
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RA leads to ILD: but ILD does not lead to RA
New research sheds light on the link between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). A team from Taizhou Hospital used advanced multi-omics methods to explore the causal relationship between these two https://t.co/QbY6GC0KBZ
Dr. John Cush
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Rheums Speak - RA Treatment Survey
RheumNow's August 2025 “Live Vote” surveys will examine Rheumatologist impressions, knowledge and practices over the last 20 years when treating rheumatoid arthritis.
https://t.co/hJSQ5mMJ6b https://t.co/466wOjTSGS
Dr. John Cush
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Japans IORRA study of 10,613 RA pts (2007-21) - 915 deaths from cancer (28%), lung Dz (22%), CV Dz (16%). Protective Rx were MTX and bDMARDs, while even low-dose glucocorticoids showed increased mortality risk. https://t.co/lV5WmC5l1X https://t.co/QncyqXSRE9
Dr. John Cush
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Retrospective review of 9 #RA pts w/ elevated liver enzymes who were Rx w/ TNF inhibitor (4 adalimumab, 5 etanercept; 78% female, median BMI 37). Over 3 yrs F/U, LFTs declined, fibrosis scores (FIB-4) signif decreased; albumin & bilirubin remained stable https://t.co/Hcwa3qaupv https://t.co/OwGY5jxxyZ
Dr. John Cush
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Potentially novel RA vaccine of recombinant HLA-DRB1 04:01 bound to type II collagen (COL2) peptide COL2259-273 that was chemically modified at glycine position 265 & shows to suppress collagen induced arthritis in human DRB1 04:01-expressing mice https://t.co/TtBt49DQDa https://t.co/qMXzmvNc1b
Dr. John Cush
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Review of macrophage phenotypes (M1, M2, etc) in rheumatic diseases. In RA synovial Tiss macrophages - are MerTK+CD206+ w/ remission and MerTK−CD206− w/ active inflammation. Tissue fibrosis in PSS driven by Profibrotic CD206+ and CD163+ cell subsets https://t.co/vIG7SYsaWq https://t.co/OKnzOFIlKr
Dr. John Cush
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A New RA Approval (8.1.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and a new treatment for RA from the FDA
https://t.co/hHNvdOKp2z https://t.co/lUAZM7bY7X
Dr. John Cush
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CCL17 is a downstream mediator of GM-CSF. Drug repurposing review of FDA approved Rx shows 5 Rx w/ anti-CCL17 effects - fluoxetine, ractopamine, ponesimod, terbutaline & etravirine, w/ inhibition of STAT5, IRF4 & CCL17 & shows antiinflamm effects in RA animal model https://t.co/2aTyZMWPJn
Dr. John Cush
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FDA Approves Vagal Nerve Stimulator for RA
SetPoint Medical announced the FDA approved the SetPoint System, a neuroimmune modulation treatment for moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), for patients not well-managed or cannot tolerate—existing RA therapies like https://t.co/McheSz30dl
Dr. John Cush
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MTX or TNFi use in elderly #RA pts w/in a year of Dx of melanoma was not associated with increased mortality. This included melanoma in situ (48%), localized (47%) and regional (5%) melanoma. Steroid use however was assoc w/ reduced survival. https://t.co/QOXfEf51S1 https://t.co/GZ5dedEMfM
Dr. John Cush
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Pregnant Women on TNFi more likely to use throughout gestation, w/ less steroids. 3711 preg on TNFi in 49,925 F (w/ RA, AS, PsA, PsO, IBD) -- 64% had 3 trimester TNFi use. 89% exposed preconception & 68% cont postpartum. TNFi use incr from 55% to 73% i(20111-21) https://t.co/DVvbwx6MoW
