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NK Cells Without a CAR: AB-101 Is Neither CAR-T nor CAR-NK

Henrique Dalmolin, MD

Much of the meeting came for the next CAR T readout. AB-101 drew attention for a different reason. It depletes B cells by a completely different route.

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Digital Platforms and AI

2026 EULAR Press Release

EULAR works with the network of national organisations of People with Arthritis/Rheumatism in Europe (PARE) to ensure the voices of people with RMD are heard and have influence – creating powerful alliances that make a real difference. Artificial intelligence is another potential ally in that fight. At the EULAR 2026 Congress in London, work was presented from three PARE initiatives that showcase how digital tools can be used in treatment education and decision-making, and potentially avoid the use of general web searches to answer important questions.

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Count Your Telangiectasias (5.29.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal articles and missed quiz questions.

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Sjogren's on chalkboard

RepurpSS-II: Hydroxychloroquine plus Leflunomide in Sjögren's

Jack Cush, MD

A small, pilot, phase 2b trial has shown that the combination of leflunomide and hydroxychloroquine (LEF+HCQ) was effective and safe in treating patients with active Sjögren's disease.

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Abstr LB0003 Off-the-shelf allogeneic NK cell therapy + rituximab in refractory RA, Sjögren disease, and systemic sclerosis. 31 patients. Outpatient administered. RA at 6 months: 71% ACR50, mean CDAI change −36.8. SSc: 100% rCRISS25 response. SjD: 86% ClinESSDAI responders. https://t.co/60046jgYia

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Antoni Chan MD (Prof) synovialjoints ( View Tweet)
Interesting data on the effect of AB-101 + RTX on refractory RA, SSc and SjD. Curious about long term results and potential position in tx strategies LB0006 @RheumNow #EULAR2026 https://t.co/opbh8yGmwO

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sheila RHEUMarampa ( View Tweet)
CAR-T without the CAR-T risks? AB-101, an off-the-shelf NK cell therapy + RTX, delivered in refractory RA, Sjögren, and SSc (n=31): RA ACR50 71%, SSc mRSS -9.5, SjD ClinESS DAI -8.6 at 6 mo. Outpatient delivery without CAR-T associated AEs? @RheumNow #EULAR2026 LB0003 https://t.co/xi6ZdLwHcN

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Jiha Lee JihaRheum ( View Tweet)
#EULAR2026 LB0003 CAR-T is not scalable. In a Phase 2a of off-the-shelf AB-101 allogenic NK + low dose conditioning (Cyclo & Flud) + Rituximab: preliminary efficacy & safety profile in severe-refractory RA (N=15), SjD (11), SSc (5). Longer FU & Comparator is needed @RheumNow https://t.co/gQniufREQC

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Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof Yuz6Yusof ( View Tweet)
Top 5 abst in #SjD #anifrolumab +RCT #ianalumab LTE Rx sustained #telitatacept +LTE #iana improves u/s parotids #TYK2 sig in#SjD OP0002, 0126, 127, 160 POS0284 #EULARbest #EULAR2026 @RheumNow @eular_org

Janet Pope Janetbirdope ( View Tweet)

#proof of #concept in #Sjogren’s #dis #lanalumab Treatment reduced in #SjD ✅reduced B cells in #salivary #glands —nearly complete depletion in serum ✅reduced B cell activation ✅improved #inflammation of #parotid & #submandibular glands @RheumNow #EULAR2026 #OP0163 #POS0284

Janet Pope Janetbirdope ( View Tweet)

OMRF study: Anti-Ro neg Sjögren’s patients share similar molecular profiling as anti-Ro positive pts: innate immune signaling, immune cell activation, inflammation, autophagy, apoptosis, and metabolic dysregulation pathways #EULAR2026 @RheumNow https://t.co/zJm6EbpyIB

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TheDaoIndex KDAO2011 ( View Tweet)
#EULAR2026 Please find my video interview with Prof Xavier Mariette, the presenting author of Abstract OP0126: Efficacy and Safety of Ianalumab in #Sjogren disease #SjD @RheumNow https://t.co/NEyBOD6Qj2 https://t.co/Zn1fH6eu39

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Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof Yuz6Yusof ( View Tweet)
#EULAR2026 OP028 In 16 patients with AID (SSc,IIM, RA, IgG4,SjD, Grave’s), CD3xBCMA BiTE, Teclistamab was effective in 15/16. Duration of GC & DMARD-free was 11 mths. 2/16 need retreatment. All had low IgG and needed IVIG. Need long-term safety data & comparative study @RheumNow https://t.co/97MUPnXRua

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Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof Yuz6Yusof ( View Tweet)

#EULAR2026 OP0126 Long-term extension study up to 108 weeks: Ianalumab demonstrated sustained efficacy (change in ESSDAI) including those who switched from PBO to IAN in #Sjogren. IAN improved most domains apart from lungs, MSK & Haem - important to note @RheumNow #EULARBest https://t.co/x1d4G1s0jw

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Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof Yuz6Yusof ( View Tweet)
#EULAR2025 OP0127 Still trying to get my head around the flat line PBO response. In Sjogren pts with ESSDAI=>5, a Phase 3 RCT of Telitacicept (BAFF/APRIL-i) in China met all endpoints. ESSPRI improved too! Could be because strict concom DMARD inc. GC protocol @RheumNow https://t.co/FEhXfNPvfG

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Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof Yuz6Yusof ( View Tweet)
RepurpSS-II: Hydroxychloroquine plus Leflunomide in Sjögren's A small pilot, phase 2b trial has shown that the combination of leflunomide and hydroxychloroquine (LEF+HCQ) was effective and safe in treating patients with active Sjögren's disease. https://t.co/eeyhso0WJ6 https://t.co/ZGWOOtf92E

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
RepurpSS-II: Hydroxychloroquine plus Leflunomide in Sjögren's A small pilot, phase 2b trial has shown that the combination of leflunomide and hydroxychloroquine (LEF+HCQ) was effective and safe in treating patients with active Sjögren's disease. https://t.co/tyd1efUtca https://t.co/zcY7RyX8SZ

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Chinese study of 371 pts w/ Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) - extrahepatic autoimmune diseases (EADs) seen in 24% -Sjogren’s & autoimmune thyroid dz (9% each). ANA+ independently assoc w/ EADs (OR 2) https://t.co/NVz8MWbJch https://t.co/tjCzaDcUFI

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
Epidemiology of Dry Eye Autoimmune Disease Rates upwards of 20% were seen across nine common autoimmune diseases other than Sjögren's, most often in rheumatoid arthritis (39.3%) with Crohn's disease bringing up the rear (23.0%), according to Chi-Chin Sun, MD, PhD, of Chang Gung https://t.co/Z8ZBGmqT93
Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
A month ago the FDA Granted Breakthrough Designation to Ianalumab for Sjögren Disease . The drug targets BAFF and depletes B cells. Two recent positive RCTs (NEPTUNUS-1, NEPTUNUS-2). Novartis expects a regulatory decision in early 2026 https://t.co/PXVjGG1Cmd https://t.co/0s5livw1bg

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Dr. John Cush RheumNow ( View Tweet)
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