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Scleroderma-Specific Autoantibodies in Early Systemic Sclerosis

Jack Cush, MD

Prognostication is tenous in early scleroderma, especially in those with diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dcSSc). dcSSc has associated with substantial morbidity and disease-specific mortality.

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Added IVIG is Effective in Myositis

Jack Cush, MD

A small randomized controlled trial demonstrates that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) added to cortocosteroids lead to greater and faster improvements in patients with newly diagn

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A Day of Infamy (9.11.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on Rheumnow.com - including obesity, disappointing durability with GLP-1 drugs, AI diagnoses and worries about CV risk in ANCA-associated vasculitis. And take this week's RheumIQ quiz!

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FDA Approves Brepocitinib to Treat Dermatomyositis

Jack Cush, MD

The FDA and Priovant recently annouced approval of brepocitinib (Lisraya), a JAK1/TYK2 inhibitor, for the indication of adults with dermatomyositis (DM). This is the first oral (once daily) agent approved for DM.

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NME: New Molecular Entities (8.28.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com. Take this week's RheumIQ and test your knowledge!

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Brepocitinib Skin Outcomes in Patients With Dermatomyositis

Jack Cush, MD

A secondary analysis of the VALOR trial has shown that the TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor brepocitinib was effective at cutaneous disease activity outcomes, delivering rapid, clinically meaningful, and remission-level control of cutaneous dermatomyositis (DM).

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Rheum Scholarship (8.21.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com; talking about lumbar belts, scholarships and misdiagnosis.

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Misdiagnosis of Still's Disease

Jack Cush, MD

High fever, strange rashes, scary labs often lead to a consideration of Still's disease (AOSD or systemic JIA). Yet the dramatic onset of a systemic disorder may overlap with another, and possibly as rare, systemic disorder that should not be misdiagnosed or mistreated. A current case review by Zhu et al. presents six cases initially diagnosed as systemic JIA, teaching several important lessons.

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Efgartigimod Efficacy in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy

Jack Cush, MD

Today Argenx announced the results of their Phase 3 "ALKIVIA" study; demonstrating efficacy and safety of subcutaneous efgartigimod for Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy (IIM, AKA inflammatory myositis).

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Doubting RS3PE (8.14.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles this week where RheumNow featured info on cancer, deadly viruses, AI rules, poetry and good moons rising.

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OL study of tofacitinib in 20 juvenile DM pts w/ calcinosis cutis (11 boys; age 10.4 yrs; CC x 31 mos). Calcinosis assessed by CT scan showed decr Agatston score from 6,349 to 4,007. No SAE. https://t.co/UDLLwce3mp https://t.co/BflewkO0RM

Links:

Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Leeds study of 44 patients idiopathic inflamm myopathy (IIM) pts Rx w/ rituximab showed a 70% response 4-6 mos post RTX. Responders had higher TIS (50·0 vs 17·5). Using highly sensitive flow cytometry, @ 2 wks responders had lower #s memory B cells & Plasmablasts. Is there a role https://t.co/HTxOIxkezs
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA Approves Brepocitinib to Treat Dermatomyositis The FDA and Priovant recently announced approval of brepocitinib (Lisraya), a JAK1/TYK2 inhibitor, for the indication of adults with dermatomyositis (DM). This is the first oral (once daily) agent approved for DM. https://t.co/blsl1365XS
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
FDA Approves Brepocitinib to Treat Dermatomyositis The FDA and Priovant recently announced approval of brepocitinib (Lisraya), a JAK1/TYK2 inhibitor, for the indication of adults with dermatomyositis (DM). This is the first oral (once daily) agent approved for DM. https://t.co/JoE0p3UfSf
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
39 studies compared Juvenile systemic sclerosis (jSSc) & adult SSc. 935 jSSc vs 15,451 aSSc pts; jSSc had more diffuse cutaneous dz (70% vs 41%), more overlap myositis (33% vs. 5%), arthritis (33% vs 18%), digital ulcers (51% vs 20%), less renal crisis (0% vs 6%) & lower https://t.co/PYuvyaPdxA
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
39 studies compared Juvenile systemic sclerosis (jSSc) & adult SSc. 935 jSSc vs 15,451 aSSc pts; jSSc had more diffuse cutaneous dz (70% vs 41%), more overlap myositis (33% vs. 5%), arthritis (33% vs 18%), digital ulcers (51% vs 20%), less renal crisis (0% vs 6%) & lower https://t.co/vflarmwSyv
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
SLE & Dermatomyositis rashes maybe classically red or violaceous in Whites,but different in people of color, where erythema often appears brown/violaceous, Gottron papules can be mistaken for "dry skin." This delays dx, especially in anti-MDA5+ RP-ILD, where rash may be the https://t.co/DIe2OJhZIc
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Study of 154 anti-Ku Ab+ pts (51 IMMM, 46 SLE, 30 Sjögrens, 27 Sc) = 60 (39%) had ILD - 75% progressed; more rapidly in males. BUT Ku+ is rare <4%, not specific, without clear clinical implications. Ku is a myositis-assoc Ab (like Ro52/Ro60, U1-RNP, PM/Scl) https://t.co/s1VFhaOYgn
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Study of 154 anti-Ku Ab+ pts (51 IMMM, 46 SLE, 30 Sjögrens, 27 Sc) = 60 (39%) had ILD - 75% progressed; more rapidly in males. BUT Ku+ is rare <4%, not specific, without clear clinical implications. Ku is a myositis-assoc Ab (like Ro52/Ro60, U1-RNP, PM/Scl) https://t.co/MHz8mdqDqi
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Rethinking Treatment of EGPA Like MPA & GPA, the goals of EGPA are controlling initial organ damage and preventing relapse. But EGPA has the added challenge of chronic upper and lower respiratory tract involvement, allergic type 2 inflammations and risk of glucocorticoid https://t.co/KIVpyhsghg
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
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