News
What would it take for JAKs to ROCK the boat?
JAK inhibitors have taken a beating over the last three years. The excitement and potential has been tempered by mounting cardiovascular safety concerns, but specifically in at-risk patients, compared to TNF inhibitors. So it is an intriguing idea to pair JAK inhibitors with something that might have a cardioprotective effect. It is therefore worth excitement that we have a therapeutic option to follow which does just that. At EULAR 2025, we have seen phase 2 results for CPL’116, and a simultaneous publication in The Lancet Rheumatology.
Promising role of Fc neonatal receptor blockade in autoimmune rheumatic diseases
During EULAR 2024, we learned about a novel mechanism of action therapy, nipocalimab in Sjogren’s disease (SjD). This is an anti-neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) mAb that reduces circulating IgG, including autoantibodies, by selectively blocking the interaction of IgG with FcRn. A year on at EULAR 2025, data from Phase 2 RCT of efgartigimod, an FcRn-inhibitor were presented in autoantibodies positive, moderate to severe active SjD. In addition to SjD, data from Phase 2 RCT of efgartigimod in inflammatory myopathies was presented.
Persistent Burden in Early RA Despite Disease Control: insights from CareRA Trials
Advances in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, particularly the treat-to-target strategy and the introduction of effective DMARDs, have improved the management of inflammation in RA. However, improved inflammatory markers do not always translate into a resolution of patients’ symptoms or improvements in functional capacity. A recent pooled analysis from the CareRA and CareRA2020 randomized controlled trials shed new light on this dissociation between biological disease control and patient-reported outcomes.
A new mechanism of action in SARD-ILD
Nerandomilast, an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4B, orally administered, is a new mechanism of action to treat lung fibrotic diseases.
Add-on certolizumab in pregnant women with APS
Women with antiphospholipid syndrome and lupus anti-coagulant are at high risk of developing adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). Usual care includes low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and low dose aspirin (LDA). Despite these therapies, APO have been reported up to 40%.
Predicting Psoriatic Arthritis in Psoriasis: How Close Are We?
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) affects approximately 30% of patients with psoriasis (PsO), and diagnostic delays are associated with worse prognosis, making early detection crucial. At EULAR 2025, several studies highlighted progress in prediction strategies. Here's my review of three of them.
Nurse-Led Treat-to-Target Clinics
EurekAlert!
How to properly use steroids in early RA
Guidelines differ on the early treatment of RA – ACR suggests not to use glucocorticoids (GC) and EULAR updated recommendations for RA treatment presented at #EULAR2025 continued to suggest early treatment with MTX and glucocorticoids. We do know that it is not easy to get a significant minority of RA patients off of prednisone.
EULAR 2025 – Day 4 Report
Saturday was the final day of EULAR, and included several lectures, but mostly late breaking abstracts and new EULAR guidelines - notably on Rheumatoid Arthritis and another on Interstitial Lung disease in connective tissue disorders. My favorite presentations included the following.
Methotrexate and Leflunomide combination in RA/PsA: Is it safe?
I asked the EULAR twitter sphere how they feel about combination of methotrexate (MTX) and leflunomide (LEF). The opinions are differing so far, with 50% reporting prescribing this combination often while 50% are worried of side effects. Several abstracts presented this year are providing further data to help us make up our minds in RA and PsA.
