What’s New in Psoriatic Arthritis: A Whirlwind Tour

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At the "What Is New in Psoriatic Arthritis" session at EULAR 2026, Professor Dennis McGonagle (Leeds, UK) took the audience on a whirlwind yet compact tour of the field, touching on three themes: the pathophysiology of PsA, individualization of clinical management, and emerging research and future directions.

CAR-T Reaches the Synovium: COMPARE Phase 1 in ACPA-Positive RA

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Treatment-refractory RA is more common than we sometimes admit. Roughly 11% of patients fail multiple b/tsDMARD classes, and for the ACPA-positive subset, rituximab has long been the fallback. It works, but it rarely produces durable disease-free intervals. CD19 CAR T-cell therapy was always going to be the question that followed the SLE data. Until EULAR 2026, that question had no prospective answer. The plenary session changed that.

RA-ILD: Screening risk and genetic susceptibility

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RA-ILD remains one of the most serious extra-articular manifestations of RA, contributing substantially to morbidity and mortality. Two abstracts presented at EULAR 2026 add important insights into identifying patients at risk for RA-ILD and understanding the genetic mechanisms that may underpin disease development.

MRI as a novel biomarker in lupus

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The clinical abstract sessions on diagnostic tools in lupus showcased interesting studies, including the use of MRI as potential non-invasive biomarkers.

Three Abstracts That May Shape the Future of RA Treatment

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Our therapeutic armamentarium in RA keeps on growing. New studies and new molecules, new mechanisms of action or new ways of using old drugs are presented every year at conferences. But which are the ones who can have an impact on our practice? Here is my selection of 3 abstracts presented at EULAR 2026 that identify therapeutic strategies that are well worth keeping on our radar.

‘Strong’ treatment predictions in inflammatory myositis

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Presented at EULAR 2026 London, Brepocitinib dual TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor with successful Phase 3 VALOR trial demonstrating significant improvement in skin and muscle symptoms in dermatomyositis (DM).

Vasculitis Updates: Glucocorticoid use in AAV and GCA

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Glucocorticoids are the cornerstone of initial vasculitis treatment, used to rapidly control inflammation and protect vital organs. EULAR has recommendations that cover glucocorticoid use in ANCA associated vasculitides (AAV) and large vessel vasculitis, including giant cell arteritis (GCA).1,2 But the evidence base continues to grow about their use – especially over the long term.

Digital Platforms and AI

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EULAR works with the network of national organisations of People with Arthritis/Rheumatism in Europe (PARE) to ensure the voices of people with RMD are heard and have influence – creating powerful alliances that make a real difference. Artificial intelligence is another potential ally in that fight. At the EULAR 2026 Congress in London, work was presented from three PARE initiatives that showcase how digital tools can be used in treatment education and decision-making, and potentially avoid the use of general web searches to answer important questions.

Understanding Comorbidities in RMD

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People with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) are at risk of a number of comorbidities, from cardiovascular diseases to cognitive impairment and fractures. The 2026 EULAR Congress showcased new data and ideas around various comorbidities and drug safety issues in people with an RMD – highlighting the need for integrated care. Here are five abstracts to consider.

Day 1 Report from EULAR 2026

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The first day of EULAR 2026 in London featured the opening ceremonies, a plenary session, posters nd the first round of major oral presentations to an audience of nearly 15,000 attendees. Here are a few of my favorites from the first day.

The pain that inflammation does not explain in SpA and PsA

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Clinicians often come across the scenario of a patient with well-controlled spondyloarthritis where the ASDAS in the low disease activity range, CRP normalised, joints clinically quiet. However, the patient returns to the clinic still reporting significant pain. Their rheumatologist adjusts the biological, waits, returns. The pain persists.

Beyond the Scale: Do GLP-1RAs Offer More Than Weight Loss in PsA?

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Over 70% of patients with PsA struggle with excess weight, amplifying synovio-entheseal inflammation and blunting biologic response. The rapid uptake of GLP-1RAs in rheumatology has raised an urgent mechanistic question: are clinical gains in PsA driven purely by weight reduction, or do these agents carry intrinsic anti-inflammatory properties? EULAR 2026 offered six abstracts that together illuminate, without fully resolving, this question.