Novel Rx

D1 and D2 trials compared guselkumab vs placebo in patients with active PsA, with the major difference between the two being that only biologic-naïve patients were enrolled in the D2 trial. Today, we discuss three abstracts presented at ACR 2021 that expand on that work with an additional year of data.

The RheumNow faculty have been glued to their monitors all day, watching video, and running down abstract presentations to find the best – several of these stood out as #ACRBests. Here is a listing of “Best” they saw on Day 1.

In rheumatoid arthritis we have a wide range of options available to us when we progress to a biologic treatment option. We have little to differentiate between these agents based on the clinical trials. We often make our choices based on minor hints from clinical features, comorbidities, or cost considerations.

Giant cell arteritis is associated with significant treatment related morbidity due to the dependence on glucocorticoids as a treatment option. After sixty years of therapeutic stagnation, these are exciting times in the management of GCA. At this year's ACR Convergence meeting, encouraging data will be presented on options for GCA.

Dr. Cush reviews the news, and kicks off ACR21 learning and how to take in the annual meeting.

The pharmaceutical companies will feature the results of their pivotal clinical trials and data analyses at ACR Convergence 2021.  Below is a listing of some of their best studies for you to review and look for in the meeting. Often these become the pivotal studies for regulatory approval and the annual congresses are their first look. Aurinia

New research presented this week at ACR Convergence, the American College of Rheumatology’s annual meeting, shows immunocompromised patients using rituximab (a drug used to treat diseases like rheumatoid arthritis) were able to produce antibodies against COVID-19 (seroconvert) after receiving a third COVID-19 vaccine dose, even if there was no development of the antibody after the first two doses of the vaccine (