ANA Pollution (2.06.2026) Save

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal articles and regulatory news from this past week on RheumNow.com

1. Potential New Rheumatology Drugs for 2026. These have had successful phase III RCTs and will need to be reviewed by regulators: ** deucravacitinib (Sotyktu) Tyk2 inhib for PsA ** Icotrokinra (Icotyde) oral IL-23i for psoriasis ** brepocitinib TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor for https://t.co/CQmfjIDMp3
2. FDA has announced "Breakthrough Designation" for 3 drugs + 1 test being developed: ** Biogen: litifilimab (targets dendritic cells) for cutaneous lupus ** Novartis: Ianalumab (BAFF blockade) for Sjogrens ** J&J: Nipocaiimab (FcRn) for Sjogrens ** Encarta: pocket Lyme test https://t.co/zODOTWyqP8
3. The EMA CHMP has started a review of oral complement C5 inhibitor avacopan (Tavneos) based on serious questions about amendments to the data from the pivotal ADVOCATE study. The drug was approved in 2021 for use in GPA & MPA. https://t.co/a5ggUqk1dG
4. FDA sent a complete response letter to AstraZeneca on their application (BLA) for anifrolumabs (Saphnelo) subcutaneous use in SLE. Despite a positive TULIP-SC trial & EU approval of SC-anifrolumab, FDA & sponsor still have to work things out. CRL reasons are unknown https://t.co/3dNwEyolrj
5. Which Fibromyalgia Drugs are Cost-Effective? A cost-effectiveness analysis compared FDA approved fibromyalgia (FM) drugs (pregabalin, duloxetine, milnacipran) with amitriptyline and found duloxetine was the preferred strategy across perspectives. https://t.co/5NZeYquGxs
6. SGLT2 Inhibitors in Gout - Better Outcomes, Fewer Meds Natalie McCormick, PhD (RACER Center, Mass General Brigham), led a new Diabetes Care study on gout-related medication use after starting SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with gout and type 2 diabetes. https://t.co/P3zoTbPvoO
7. RA outcomes according to onset: typical RA vs undifferentiated inflam arthritis (UIA) or palindromic rheumatism (PR). Progress to RA = RA > UIA > PR. PR has more +FHx & ACPA; UIA more females w/ Knee Sxs. Best remission rates w/ PR onsets. https://t.co/JJRCdKcs1u
8. Methotrexate intolerance in rheumatoid arthritis A current large rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohort study from Cairo assessed methotrexate (MTX) use and found over half were MTX intolerant and a third of patients were noncompliant with MTX. https://t.co/PDUv2YRFIq
9. 2016 ARTIC trial tested T2T w/ MTX & "bridging" tapered Prednisolone (15 mg --> 0mg over 7wks) in 237 new DMARD naive RA pts. PRED discontinuation successful in 84% @7wks, 89% @3mos, 95% @ 24 mos. Only 5% require Pred @ every visit for 2 yrs. You can D/C pred! https://t.co/O23PHq81YP
10. Long term outcomes study of 22 pts w/ adult Stills. 16 (72.7%) completed LTE w/ mean observation 168.9 wks. 3/22 had serious adverse events, Tx efficacy ACR70=68% and 95% reduced in glucocorticoid doses w/ 41% in GC-free remission https://t.co/h0MvDLWGhD
11. Air pollution ups ANA+: Ontario Canadian study of 3548 serum samples (2010-13) corrlated particulate matter (PM2.5) w/ serologies. Highest vs lowest quartile PM2.5 showed higher risk of ANA ≥1:640 (OR 1.46) & ≥1:1280 (OR 1.54). Pollution has systemic immune effects! https://t.co/fJrhypNE2A
12. Study shows half of FL autonomous nurse practitioners practicing outside their scope of practice. FL law allows autonomous NPs in primary care w/ 3K practice hrs. 194/328 NPs working in non-primary care: cosmetics, antiaging, IV hydration, vitamin infusions, hormonal Rx, psych/addiction, urgent care, inpatient med, cardiology https://buff.ly/vKLKmXQ
13. ALTO: Long-Term Abatacept Outcomes in At-Risk RA  
14. Giant Cell Arteritis Outcomes in Canada
15. DERM on RheumNow PODCAST (January 2026)