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Rare Diseases

FDA Approves Brepocitinib to Treat Dermatomyositis

Yesterday the FDA and Priovant annouced approval of brepocitinib (Lisraya), a JAK1/TYK2 inhibitor, for the indication of adults with dermatomyositis (DM).  This is the first oral (once daily) agent approved for DM.  Brepocitinibs efficacy was proven in the Ph III VALOR study of 241

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Secukinumab in Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is a common disorder of the elderly that responds well to glucocorticoids (GC), but is plagued by an inability to wean off of GCs.
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Brepocitinib Skin Outcomes in Patients With Dermatomyositis

A secondary analysis of the VALOR trial has shown that the TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor brepocitinib was effective at cutaneous disease activity outcomes, delivering rapid, clinically meaningful, and remission-level control of cutaneous dermatomyositis (DM).

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JAMA Review: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a chronic autonomic disorder affecting an estimated 0.1%–1% of the US population, with peak incidence at ages 13–29 and a striking 90% female predominance.

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Guidelines for Adult-Onset IgA Vasculitis

A EUVAS-sponsored expert panel of 37 specialists across rheumatology, nephrology, dermatology and pathology has published evidence-based guidelines for adult-onset IgA vasculitis (IgAV), which behaves very differently in adults compared to usually self-limited childhood form.

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Misdiagnosis of Still's Disease High fever, strange rashes, scary labs often lead to a consideration of Still's disease (AOSD or systemic JIA). Yet the dramatic onset of a systemic disorder may overlap with another, and possibly as rare, systemic disorder that should not be https://t.co/mCbNBAt9T5
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Latest #s: EHR estimates from 6 large US medical systems, estimated prevalence of autoimmune Dz (AID) to be >15 million (4.6% US population); 34% have > 1 AID. Women have 2x risk. Sex ratio of 1.7:1 F:M. https://t.co/tfSCpRqHbY https://t.co/VckjIoGOaa
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Misdiagnosis of Still's Disease

High fever, strange rashes, scary labs often lead to a consideration of Still's disease (AOSD or systemic JIA). Yet the dramatic onset of a systemic disorder may overlap with another, and possibly as rare, systemic disorder that should not be misdiagnosed or mistreated. A current case review by

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In 2026 Abbvie granted 34 scholarships to students With Inflammatory Diseases. In the last 10 yrs, theyve granted $6 million to >350 students in the US for higher education. These awards up to $20,000 per student renewable up to 4 yrs. https://t.co/DFy5SukB6G https://t.co/9mVkrhL2lo
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Efgartigimod Efficacy in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy

Today Argenx announced the results of their Phase 3 "ALKIVIA" study; demonstrating efficacy and safety of subcutaneous efgartigimod for Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy (IIM, AKA inflammatory myositis).

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Doubting RS3PE (8.14.2026)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles this week where RheumNow featured info on cancer, deadly viruses, AI rules, poetry and good moons rising.

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From 1975 -2025, incidence of Kawasaki dz (KD) increased 16.1-fold in Japan, KD cases 15 032 and& 14 809 in 2023 & 2024, but during COVID #s dropped to 10 333 in 2022. KD #s rebounded after the COVID-19: Infants showed minimal changes, but kids 5-9 had the greatest increase https://t.co/j0BL2ZELXn
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

What's New in Lyme Disease

JAMA has published an overview of new considerations on Lyme disease, focusing on Diagnostics, Vaccines, and Prevention.

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Rethinking Treatment of EGPA

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) has long been managed by extrapolating results from microscopic polyangiitis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis clinical trials. But new insights into EGPA's has lead to advances in therapy and new treatment paradigms.

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A Tribute to Daniel L. Kastner, MD, PhD (1951–2026)

The rheumatology, genetics and NIH communities mourn for Dr. Daniel L. Kastner, who died on July 28, 2026, in Bethesda, Maryland, at age 74. The following are declarations, tributes, and memories dedicated to this mensch of a man, titan of science, memorable mentor and humble physician.

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Arrhythmias in Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease

A new review in the Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease (Tamirisa et al) synthesizes how systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic sclerosis have an increased risk of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death attributable to shared immune pathways.

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$2 Million in Research Grants for Juvenile Arthritis

July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month, and while many people think of arthritis as a disease of aging, nearly 300,000 children in the U.S. are living with a rheumatic disease.

Equally important is that 2026 marks a 50 year anniversary for Pediatric

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Nerandomilast (Jascayd) has been approved in the European Union for adults with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and progressive pulmonary fibrosis (PPF). The drug was approved for IPF & PPF by the FDA for US use in late 2025 https://t.co/scOuVb3aYy https://t.co/EcmpRhyWgu
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Chikungunya Club Meeting (7.24.2026)

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

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Interferon-α as an Immunologic Driver of Sjögren's Disease

Using data from a Sjogren's registry, researchers have shown that IFNα drives Sjögren's disease, and
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51 yoM w/ 2 yrs of FUO, unintentional 32-kg wt loss, LN, diffuse myalgias, but no GI Sxs or arthralgia. Neg MRIs, CT, PET scan, EGD, colonoscopy. Abnl labs: CRP 173 mg/L, ESR 46, anemia & ^ WBC. Cell-free DNA next-generation sequencing dx Tropheryma whipplei, & Whipple disease https://t.co/nJLa4l7Ers
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
ICYMI: VEXAS Syndrome - A Review Beck et al has published a review of the VEXAS syndrome in The Lancet, focusing on the pathogenesis, spectrum, and treatment strategies. https://t.co/K9IMLBdCGI https://t.co/LJdnRflzsU
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

EULAR26: Vasculitis updates: Glucorticoid use in AAV and GCA

EurekAlert!

EULAR recommends a combination of glucocorticoids with either rituximab or cyclophosphamide for remission induction in life-threatening or organ-threatening AAV, followed by gradual tapering of glucocorticoids.

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ICYMI: VEXAS Syndrome - A Review

Beck et al has published a review of the VEXAS syndrome in The Lancet, focusing on the pathogenesis, spectrum, and treatment strategies.

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ICYMI: EGPA Review

A current review of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) provides current recommendations on diagnosis and management.

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