There are several reports suggesting a link between methotrexate (MTX) use and certain skin cancers, yet these are confounded by a higher risk of skin cancers with inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis of which MTX is the most common treatment.

A Phase II, multicenter study has demonstrated the efficacy and safety of deucravacitinib, an oral, selective, allosteric inhibitor of TYK2, in  adults with active systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Etanercept was FDA approved for use in pediatric psoriasis (PsO) in 2016 and ustekinumab was similarly approved  in 2020.  This comparative analysis looks at the risk of serious infections (SIE) requiring hospitalization in pediatric PSO patients treated with ustekinumab, etanercept, or

GRAPPA has provided new, evidence based updates to the management of enthesitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), affecting at least 30% of PsA patients and is associated with more severe disease, x-ray damage, and poorer outcomes. 

GRAPPA has provided new, evidence based updates to the management of enthesitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), affecting at least 30% of PsA patients and is associated with more severe disease, x-ray damage, and poorer outcomes. 

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the past week of news on RheumNow.com.

NIH funded researchers from Duke University have developed a set of serum proteomic biomarkers that successfully predict clinically relevant knee osteoarthritis (KOA) progression (both structural change and joint pain) over a 2 year period.

The Health and Human Services Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters proposed rule for 2024 does not revise policies related to copay assistance and patient deductibles.

A meta-analysis of trials using biologics [adalimumab (ADA), ustekinumab (UST) and secukinumab (SEC)] in the the management of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) suggests promising results, but more controlled, rigorous studies are needed.

JAK inhibitors are approved for several immune-mediated inflammatory diseases and carry a higher than usual risk of herpes zoster in certain conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and ulcerative colitis.

An estimated 100,000 to 120,000 fragility fractures occur annually in the Netherlands, the equivalent of at least 11 broken bones per hour.

Data from 17 international registries (JAK-pot collaboration) suggest that for Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients failing their first janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi), it did not matter if they were cycled to another JAKi or switched to a biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (bDMARD).

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

Inflammatory disorders are often accompanied by an increased mortality risk, either from secondary malignancy, infection or cardiovascular disease.

Bimekizumab, an investigational biologic drug targeting interleukin (IL)-17A/F, appeared highly effective in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), researchers said.

BE COMPLETE is published, showing that bimekizumab (BMK), a selective dual inhibitor of interleukin (IL)-17F and IL-17A, results in superior improvement in both skin and joint outcomes in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) patients who have previously failed treatment with a tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα) inhibitor.

The American College of Physicians (ACP) has updated its 2017 recommendations on pharmacologic treatment of primary osteoporosis or low bone mass to prevent fractures in adults. The full document and guideline can be found in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

In states with legalized medical cannabis use, 3 in 10 persons are using cannabis to manage their pain.

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the best of 2022 in Rheumatology - highlights on new drug indications, breakthrough lupus therapies, new biosimilars and the multivitamin letdown.