Challenge in Measuring Cutaneous Lupus Activity and Severity

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JAMA Dermatology features a discussion by Drs. McMichael and Frey on measuring lupus skin disease in clinical trials and practice using the validated Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI).

ICYMI: Reproductive Issues in axSpA: Fertility and Pregnancy

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Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) affects young patients with symptom onset occurring in early adulthood. Apart from pain and quality of life, reproductive issues also arise because patients who are diagnosed with the disease are also in their reproductive age. Two interesting abstracts about reproductive issues in axSpA will be presented during the poster sessions on Saturday, November 16, 2024.

Inebilizumab for Treatment of IgG4-Related Disease

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Inebilizumab is an monoclonal antibody that targets and depletes CD19+ B cells and has been studied in adults with IgG4-related disease.

Phase 2b Study of Ianalumab in Sjögren's

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A 52-week has demonstrated the safety and efficacy of ianalumab, a dual B cell depleter) in patients with active Sjögren's disease (SjD).

ICYMI: Improving the Value of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Rheumatology Care

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Unlike traditional imaging techniques, MSUS can be easily used at the point-of-care and offers high-resolution images of joints, tendons, and soft tissues, facilitating the early detection of inflammation and structural damage. On Saturday, November 16th at the ACR Convergence 2024, Dr. Veena Ranganath, Dr. Gurjit Kaeley, and Dr. Catherine Bakewell will present the “Proposed ACR Guidance for Use of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis.” This is the first update in a decade since the 2012 ACR guidance on the reasonable use of MSUS in rheumatology clinical practice.

Will the Robots Save Ultrasound?

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Despite all its benefits, ultrasound’s daily clinical use remains the domain of only a subset of interested rheumatologists. If the benefits are so clear, then why is it not universal? In the late-breaking oral abstracts at ACR Convergence, the final abstract presentation was from the Danish rheumatologists behind ARTHUR and DIANA: the robot which holds the MSK ultrasound probe, and the artificial intelligence brains which empowers it. Perhaps the robots will save us?

ICYMI: Shifting Trends in Initial RA Treatment Approaches

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A recent study by Sparks et al reveals evolving trends in DMARD usage for rheumatoid arthritis over two decades in the United States. This retrospective analysis evaluated 407,728 DMARD initiation episodes among 229,365 unique patients from 2001 to 2021.

ACR24: Rheumatology Roundup

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Join Drs. Jack Cush and Artie Kavanaugh as they review 15+ presentations and abstracts from the 2024 ACR Convergence meeting in Washington, DC.

ICYMI: Taking CAR-T for a Test Drive

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When the ACR Convergence 2024 abstract site went live, the first query I typed into the search bar was, “CAR-T.” I consider myself a CAR-T skeptic and would be surprised if the magical results from this NEJM case series replicate at scale, but it seems likely that CAR-T will revolutionize the care for (some) patients with rheumatic diseases.

Ozempic will change rheumatology

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Many of our diseases are made worse by obesity, notably rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Much of the refractory pain and suffering from these conditions might be attributable to obesity, so active questions will be raised about how GLP-1 agonists can influence the diseases we treat.

Off-Label Use of JAK Inhibitors in Orphan Diseases and Other Conditions?

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When should you consider off-label use of JAKi?

Novel TYK2 inhibitor Zasocitinib

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Similar to JAKs, TYK2 is an important mediator of innate and adaptive immune activation. Unlike JAKs, however, TYK2 is thought to play a minimal role in other pathways, such as metabolic and hematopoietic axes. Therefore, it is hypothesized that TYK2-targeted agents could be effective in rheumatic disease, with a potential for less off-target adverse effects. Zasocitinib is a new, oral TYK2 inhibitor generated using artificial intelligence-assisted compound design.