Remission – Believe it or Not (10.2.2026) Save

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

1. Upadacitinib is now approved in European Union to treat active polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (pJIA) ages > 2yrs for those not responding to 1+ DMARDs. In the USA, UPA is approved for pJIA & juvenile PsA https://t.co/Vhx717rw5T
2. FDA has approved baricitinib (Olumiant) for the treatment of pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with severe alopecia areata https://t.co/OTXXQvNruw
3. J&J announced topline results of Phase 4 STAR study where guselkumab (Tremfya) improved in axial Sxs & MRI outcomes in 411 biologic-naïve axial PsA pts, STAR is a 24 wk DBPCT of GUS (IL-23 inhib) in DMARD unresponsive pts. Endpoint was BASDAI @ wk24. https://t.co/LkqwV0zRmn
4. Amgen announced topline results from the Phase 3 OASIZ 301 study showing the efficacy of dazodalibep in Sjögren's dz, w/ signif ESSDAI improvements at wek 48. DAZO is a CD40L antagonist fusion protein https://t.co/5QPBdZivxC
5. Worldwide the Sjögren’s disease market size was valued at approximately $1 billion USD in 2025 and is projected to reach nearly $10 billion USD by 2036 (with annual growth of 26.2% during the forecast period from 2026 to 2036). https://t.co/kxwftpIDeo
6. BMJ reports TriNetX EHR study showing GLP-1 RA use in knee OA pts was assoc w/ significantly lower cumulative TKA incidence (p<0.001).  1 year any GLP-1 RA (HR 0.90) or 3 yrs exposure (HR 0.72) signif lowered TKA 8 yrs later https://t.co/RGQJJHgLFv
7. Metanalysis of Metabolic syndrome (MetS) in #SLE (65 articles, 11K pts). MetS prevalence 27% (higher in males (36 vs 27%). HCQ assoc w/ signif less MetS (OR 0.66), but more w/ CTX (1.39), AZA (1.25), MMF (1.13), but not steroids or MTX. MetS pts were older, obese, w/ high Chol & https://t.co/qSXZkyYTmZ
8. Cluster analysis of Spanish RELES #SLE SLE cohort reveals 3 groups. C1 (n 168) was younger, w/ lupus nephritis, low C3, intensive Rx, high infx & damage. C2 (175) w/ cytopenias, serositis, APL & dsDNA(+). C3 (452) mild skin-Jts, less serologic activity & complications https://t.co/OYTXD4KV6O
9. Observational study of 228 #PsA pts Rx biologics, either early (<2yrs; mean 6 mos) vs later (mean 3.6 yrs). Groups were balanced in all parameters; after 6 mos no diff in DAPSA50 or PASI75 response. Biologics work regardless of when started. https://buff.ly/EHG2yXz
10. Do biologic Rx lower risk of PsA? Metanalysis (15 studies, 124,138 psoriasis pts, 778K PYrs F/U), showed Biologic use assoc w/ lower risk of PsA (HR 0.54); best for IL-17i (0.65) & IL-12/23 or IL-23i (0.46) vs TNFi. IL-23i superior to IL-17i (HR 0.67) https://t.co/pjZZJ8yq9A
11. Long-term F/U of T2T Artic trial. 230 DMARD naive pts, 84% ACPA+ 179 (82%) in 10 yr F/U & 82% were in DAS < 1.6 remission 10 yrs later w/ only 17% w/ Xray progression. ~50% on csDMARDs, 30% on bDMARDs. Early aggressive works! https://t.co/ASRrIZqfS5
12. GCA international survey of 155 specialists (rheums 51%; ophthal 33%). w/ GCA dx, ASA started in only 15%; w/ 69.5% uncertain. w/ visual loss, 93% Rheums, 85% Ophthal Rx w/ IVGC, followed by oral. Uncertainty for IV versus po GC seen in 68.5% https://t.co/sWZQv8yw3u
13. Retrospective study from India on 157 juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) pts - 44 (28%) had calcinosis. They had a long Dx delay (12 mos), were NXP2+ in 41%, & high risk for Lipodystrophy (39% vs 5%). 39% improved while 61% had static/progressive Dz https://t.co/z5gvqzZV6C
14. 52 VEXAS pts Rx w/ IL‐1i, IL‐6i, or JAKi therapy judged as compl Resp (CR), partial (PR), Failure (TF). @ 6mos: 3/19 IL‐6i had CR, 4/19 PR, 7/19 TF. JAKi had 2/17 CR, 3/17 PR, 6/17 TF. No CR w/ IL‐1i or TNFαi, only 1/5 IL‐1i patients experienced PR. Only IL‐6i & JAKi had limited efficacy https://t.co/wqogmfeAru
15. ARthritis & CAncer (ARCA) is Spanish retro study of 728 #RA pts w/ Hx of CA & Rx w/ biologics. W/ F/U of 11 022 yrs, new/recurrent CA was not incr (7.3/1000PYs) & = Pts Rx w/ csDMARDs (HRs 0.94; 0.73,1.21) & not incr w/ TNFi (0.94), IL-6i (1.03), CD20i (0.81), JAKi (0.6), ABA https://t.co/UUWlsaYV0Z
16. Systematic review of 21 papers (23K RA pts) finds 12% w/ difficult-to-treat RA. Risk factors -- smoking (OR 1·16), obesity (1·38), FM (2·20) & depression (1·74). No assoc w/ current smoking or anxiety. https://t.co/BHxyEbSg8Y
17. Residual steroids doesnt preserve remission. Japan FRANK #RA registry 411/3,863 were in Boolean remission - 130 on GC vs 231 non-GC (1/3 on b/tsDMARDs). Roughly 1/3 flared to LDA @12 mos. Outcomes same for GC vs non-GC Rx pts. https://t.co/xPctEjFCLT
18. Mediterranean Diet Lowers Incident Rheumatoid Arthritis Risk