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Pitfalls of autoimmune serologic testing

Jack Cush, MD

Misuse of laboratory testing may lead to misdiagnoses and mismanagement; this is particulary prevalent when clinicians consider the use of the diagnostic use of  serological autoimmune markers. 

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NEJM: Obinutuzumab in Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Jack Cush, MD

A phase 3 trial of obinutuzumab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, showed potent B-cell depletion and clinical efficacy active systemic lupus erythematosus without evidence of nephritis.

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Long-Term Hydroxychloroquine Retinopathy Risk

MedPage Today

About one in 18 patients taking hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for 15 years develop retinal damage, a new meta-analysis indicated.

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UBER Rheumatology Ride (3.6.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this week on RheumNow.com

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DPGN, lupus, nephritis, GN, glomerulonephritis, biopsy, kidney

The Role of Calcineurin Inhibitors in Lupus Nephritis

Urvi Zala, MD

In the U.S, lupus nephritis affects approximately 40–50% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, contributing significantly to the morbidity and mortality of the affected individuals. However, significant differences in clinical approaches to lupus nephritis management still persist.

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CART

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

Jack Cush, MD

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

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Urinary biomarkers improve w/ anifrolumab in TULIP-LN (lupus nephritis) trial; 112 pts, 197 uriniary proteins assessed. Urinary CD163 and MCP-1 signif improved as early as wk 12. Anifrolumab reduced the proteomic inflammatory signature, regardless of responder status https://t.co/n6fIJVDCN1
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The Role of Calcineurin Inhibitors in Lupus Nephritis In the U.S, lupus nephritis affects approximately 40–50% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), contributing significantly to the morbidity and mortality of the affected individuals (1). However, significant https://t.co/sc4cgAYzGy
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
NEJM: Obinutuzumab in Active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus A phase 3 trial of obinutuzumab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, showed potent B-cell depletion and clinical efficacy active systemic lupus erythematosus without evidence of nephritis. https://t.co/b5qHBotxbI https://t.co/dqzZodOokq

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Update on FDA complete response letter to AZ regarding BLA hold for anifrolumab (Saphnelo) for SC use in SLE. CRL originally issued 10/10/25, but announced 2/3/26. FDA CRL cites critical data quality w/ key analyses in SC-TULIP study. A BLA decision expected in 1st half of 2026 https://t.co/zuwtsdL6I9
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
The Role of Calcineurin Inhibitors in Lupus Nephritis In the U.S, lupus nephritis affects approximately 40–50% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), contributing significantly to the morbidity and mortality of the affected individuals (1). However, significant https://t.co/JBz0gQeJUr
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
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 (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus https://t.co/vsJDOh09ji
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
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/Het4GKaTmv
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
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 (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus https://t.co/YR8Zfw8pL6
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
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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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
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
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
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
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
The prevalence of Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Australia is 26,788 (16,294 certain, 10,494 uncertain cases). Betw 2010-2022 incidence was 77-127/100,000 (certain cases). About half had received SLE care in an outpatient setting. Australia is 1/13 the population of USA https://t.co/n1sbFNPRbn
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
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
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
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