Biologics Beneficial in Eosinophilic Vasculitis

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Two biologic therapies showed promise in the treatment of refractory or relapsing eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) in a retrospective European study.

Sustained Remission Off Therapy Unlikely in GPA

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A French Vasculitis Study Group analysis of their granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) reveals that after 10 years, only 7% of GPA patients achieved sustained remission off therapy (SROT) and have never relapsed.

IL-1 Inhibition Alters Arthroplasty Rates

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A subanalysis of the CANTOS trial suggests that inhibition of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) can reduce rates of incident hip or knee replacement (THR/TKR) surgeries.

Fractures from Delays in Denosumab Reinfusions

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Denosumab is effective in osteoporosis when used on schedue, but research suggests that discontinuation leads to rapid reversal of effect; a new observational study has shown that delays in denosumab administration of more than 16 weeks results in an increased vertebral fracture risk, according t

Oral Dysbiosis May Antedate Rheumatoid Arthritis

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A study of oral microbiome in anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) positive at-risk individuals without synovitis (CCP+at risk) shows dysbiotic subgingival microbiomes and increased abundance of P. gingivalis compared with controls.

Systemic Steroids Reduce Mortality in COVID-19

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JAMA Internal Medicine reports an analysis of COVID-19 clinical trials showing that critically ill patients with COVID-19 treated with systemic corticosteroids have an overall lower mortality rate.

2020 Nobel Prize in Medicine Goes to the Discovery of Hepatitis C

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The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet has awarded the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine jointly to Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice for the discovery of Hepatitis C virus. These three scientists made a decisive contribution to the fight against blood-borne hepatitis C, a major global health problem that causes cirrhosis and liver cancer in people around the world.

RheumNow Podcast – Function Follows Form (10.2.20)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com. Regulatory approvals, update on global rheumatology alliance, smoking and psoriasis, gabapentin let down and defining difficult RA.

Defining Difficult Rheumatoid Arthritis

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‘Difficult-to-treat RA’ is an oft-used term that carries various clinical qualities and therapeutic disappointments. A EULAR Task Force was established to develop recommendations for the management of difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis and as a first step, have put forth their definition of this rheumatoid arthritis (RA) subset.

Low Risk of Latent TB with Secukinumab

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TB reactivation and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) are warned against with biologic agents, especially TNF inhibitors; yet clinical trial data now shows that the risk of LTBI with IL-17 inhibition via secukinumab is uncommon.

Slow Lung Decline Typical in Systemic Sclerosis

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The interstitial lung disease that develops in a subset of patients with systemic sclerosis tends to be heterogeneous, with the majority of patients experiencing a slow pattern of decline in lung function, analysis of outcomes in the European Scleroderma Trials and Research (EUSTAR) database foun

Hydroxychloroquine Fails as Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for COVID-19

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Numerous previous studies have questioned the efficacy or protection afforded by hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for COVID-19 and studies have show that HCQ has failed when given as post-exposure prophylaxis to health care workers (HCWs).  A new randomized controlled trial has shown that HCQ failed when given as 8 weeks of pre-exposure prophylaxis in hospital-based HCWs exposed to patients with COVID-19 patients. 

Novel Biologic Promising in Mid-Stage Scleroderma Trial

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The anti-interleukin agent romilkimab showed significant benefits on skin fibrosis among patients with systemic sclerosis in a phase II trial, researchers reported.

Filgotinib Approved by the EMA for Rheumatoid Arthritis

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On Friday, Gilead and Galapagos announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorization for filgotinib (trade name, Jyseleca) their oral, once-daily, JAK1 inhibitor for the treatment of adults with moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have resp

Gabapentin Fails to Lessen Chronic Pelvic Pain

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Lancet reports that in a randomized, blinded, controlled trial, gabapentin failed to significantly lower pain scores in women with chronic pelvic pain, and was associated with higher adverse event rates compared to placebo.