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.
Ivarmacitinib (AKA SHR-0302) is a JAK1 inhib approved in China. Phase II/III RCT (NCT04481139) in active #AS Rx w/ ivarmacitinib 4 mg (n 187) or placebo (n 186) showing IVRMA @wk 12 IVRMA had signif better ASAS20 response(49% vs 29%) & ASAS40 (32% vs 18%). Also superior: total https://t.co/ilVtrQgHxR
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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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JAK inhibitor Drug Market size (worldwide) was valued at $ 5.51 Billion in 2024 & is estimated to reach $ 19.81 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 13.66% from 2026-2033. https://t.co/1Krd1TeKv1 https://t.co/k0hx7iXTvn
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Glucocorticoids: Use vs.Toxicity
This review article addresses the recognition, prevention and management of glucocorticoid toxicity in rheumatic patients.
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Prolonged exposure to targeted Rx in #SpA not assoc w/ increased cancer risk. French claims study 56,591 SpA pts- 1,224 CA (1,029 solid, 116 Heme). TNFi, IL17i, IL12/23i, IL23i, JAKi Exposure >6 vs ≤6 mos assoc w/ lower CA (HR 0.86; 0.75-0.99); signif for Heme (HR 0.65), not https://t.co/rHAa0CkAjT
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ZEUS Trial: IL-6 Inhibition Fails to Cut Cardiovascular Events
The phase 3 ZEUS trial tested the IL-6 ligand inhibitor ZVK in over 6,000 patients with ASCVD, CKD, and elevated hsCRP. Although ZVK significantly lowered IL-6 and CRP levels, it did not improved outcomes (HR 0.99 https://t.co/jf2gAtvmpZ
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POETYK PsA-1: Deucravacitinib in Biologic-Naïve PsA
POETYK PsA-1 trial tested the disease modifying efficacy of deucravacitinib, a tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor, in PsA patients and was shown to be superior vs to placebo for clinical responses, patient-reported outcomes, https://t.co/6ptGmzCoQ9
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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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POETYK PsA-1: Deucravacitinib in Biologic-Naïve PsA
POETYK PsA-1 trial tested the disease modifying efficacy of deucravacitinib, a tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2) inhibitor, in PsA patients and was shown to be superior vs to placebo for clinical responses, patient-reported outcomes, https://t.co/VjwpCVKPz0
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True or False: In a 6-month RCT for refractory ITP, combining baricitinib with danazol achieved a durable response rate more than double that of danazol monotherapy. Take this week's RheumIQ quiz at https://t.co/yQn8cIT5Cw to see if you got it right! https://t.co/MJSw1gYUob
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Mentshlichkeit* (8.7.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and recent journal reports on RheumNow.com.
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Cassi Calabrese @CCalabreseDO easy overview of vaccinating IMID pts. Vaccinating IMID pts. Stresses risk-based approach: RZV for all JAK-i/anifrolumab pts regardless of age; time COVID vax around rituximab; annual flu + PCV20/21 for all immunosuppressed; RSV ≥75 or younger w/ https://t.co/AHykuqJn2N
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6 mos. RCT of low-dose baricitinib (Bari) plus danazol for refractory ITP (n 216); Pts Rx w/ either Bari+DNZ vs DNZ alone. At 6-mos a durable response was seen in 45% of Bari+DNZ vs 20% in DNZ monotherapy (P < 0.001). AEs were equal (48% vs 45%), More studies needed on this https://t.co/YbF49ZNA0E
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Methotrexate Safety Tips (7.31.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com.
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3 Rx are FDA approved for hidradenitis supprativa (secukinumab, adalimumab, bimekizumab). New JAK1i Povorcitinib in STOP-HS1 and STOP-HS2 ph 3 PCTs (608/619 pts). Povo showed HiSCR50 ~42% vs PBO 29% @wk12. AE: acne, pharyngitis https://t.co/n3FJUOjNuo https://t.co/9YAmPqW44z
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STOP-HZ trial - 30 #RA pts going on tofacitinib given Shingrix (RZV) on day 1 & wk 8 & started Tofa on d1 or wk8. @wk 12 VZV responses incr in both (2.66 & 2.91 fold incr). @wk 4, d1 Tofa had fewer ≥1.5-fold VZV vs wk8 (44.8% vs 80%); BUT can you wait 8wks to start JAKi? https://t.co/tH0zPgBbHQ
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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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EUSTAR scleroderma substudy propensity matched pts Rx w/ JAKi (n 38) vs 180 pts ea Rx w/ MMF, MTX, RTX. 1/3 had dcSSc. 23 AEs in 997 Pt-yrs. JAKi outcomes similar to comparators. JAKi Tx D/C in 39%, FVC stable, skin fibrosis improved (mRSS −1.8) & SJC decreased. No new
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Gout Cavalcade (7.10.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal articles and regulatory decisions from the past week. July is Gout: More than Flares month.
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Whats the BEST FIRST Rx in DMARD-Naive #RA - Tofacitinib or MTX. RCTs (ORAL Start, RA-BEGIN, SELECT-EARLY, FINCH 3) prove JAKi > MTX. A recent 116 RCT from China also shows Tofa > MTX by SDAI50 (94% v 75%) @3 mos & Tofa was more cost effective. https://t.co/KL2qlDgF6D https://t.co/wNVBgQkaMI
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DMARD Efficacy in RA-ILD
A network meta-analysis in the Journal of Autoimmunity reviews the pharmacologic options for rheumatoid arthritis–associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). RA-ILD guidelines were recently presented by ERS/EULAR, but these were mainly conditional, low-certainty recommendations.
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RT @aurelierheumo
What is new in PsA?
Dennis McGonagle's take at #EULAR2026
-a strong year for discovery in mechanisms of transition from PSO to PsA
-publication of the first single cell atlas Enthesis
-Better understanding of VTE mechanisms in JAKi in PsA
-clinical aspects
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ICYMI: Updated CRA/SPARCC Recommendations for Axial Spondyloarthritis
In 2024, the Canadian Rheumatology Association (CMA) and the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada (SPARCC) published a comprehensive set of 56 treatment recommendations for the management of axial spondyloarthritis. This first update is focused on the reassessment of IL-17i
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DERM on RheumNow (June 2026)
The Derm on RheumNow podcast is a collection of Citations and Content curated for dermatologists – addressing Psoriasis, PsA, CLE, vasculitis, HS, other CTD skin disorders. dermatology drugs, biologics, JAKs - their use, efficacy and side effects. https://t.co/vy4BAx8Lnq
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Therapeutic Updates
A JAKi CHAT: Shared Decision-Making in RA
Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
Experts Dr. Jeffrey Curtis and Dr. Kevin Winthrop discuss best practices for shared decision-making, how to talk with patients about the risks of poorly controlled RA, and ways to use a new tool for visualizing the long-term safety of a JAKi.
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Poster Hall
Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact
GCA Flares With a JAKi in the Second Year of SELECT-GCA
Recent Blogs
JAK inhibitors obviously have dominated a lot of the discussion in our therapeutic landscape over the last couple of years. What about their use in polymyalgia rheumatica? Let's consider.
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With the increasing development and use of new biologics and oral targeted therapies to treat RA and other immune mediated inflammatory diseases, an awareness of infection risk and prevention has become of increasing interest as well. While our patients may be susceptible to many different types of infections depending on immunosuppressive regimen, age and co-morbidities, I’ll highlight a few of the “usual suspects”.
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Cancer is the most difficult DMARD risk to discuss with patients. Few warnings could scare people away from a drug faster than the words “may increase risk of cancer,” yet the risks (even when substantiated) have all been low and may be counterbalanced by the benefits of disease control.
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Podcasts
PsA Topic Podcast compilation
EULAR 2026 Daily Podcast Day 4c-
EULAR 2026 Daily Podcast Day 4a
