JAK/TYK2

JAK inhibitors work & have a dose dependent effect in severe alopecia areata (AA). Metanalysis of 10 Rxs, 3866 AA pts (used the SALT20 endpoint) showed the best efficacy was deuruxolitinib_12 mg, and baricitinib_4 mg (OR: 2.59, 95% CI: 1.98–3.38). https://t.co/k86f2RvCEJ https://t.co/N1fsrbbmDw

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
🔍What do long-term treatment data show about reducing flares in GCA?    See the results of continuous JAKi treatment for up to 2 years in this post hoc analysis from SELECT-GCA: https://t.co/yZlC3YIxQH   Sponsored by AbbVie Medical Affairs + Health Impact. https://t.co/qEMDlXsBHi

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FDA Approves Brepocitinib to Treat Dermatomyositis in Adults. Marketed as "Lisraya" it is a once-daily oral tablet that is a JAK/TYK2 inhibitor. Brepocitinibs efficacy was proven in the Ph III VALOR study of 241 DM pts Rx 52-weeks w/ both skin, motor and functional benefits. https://t.co/JXGXJyh0CI
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FDA Approves Brepocitinib to Treat Dermatomyositis

Jack Cush, MD

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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NME: New Molecular Entities (8.28.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com. Take this week's RheumIQ and test your knowledge!

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PMR,flag

Secukinumab in Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Jack Cush, MD

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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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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Gottrons,mechanics

Brepocitinib Skin Outcomes in Patients With Dermatomyositis

Jack Cush, MD

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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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
steroid prednisone lab

Glucocorticoids: Use vs.Toxicity

Jack Cush, MD

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
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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Doubting RS3PE (8.14.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

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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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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Mentshlichkeit* (8.7.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

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
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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Methotrexate Safety Tips (7.31.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

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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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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Chikungunya Club Meeting (7.24.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

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)

Jack Cush, MD

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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Therapeutic Updates

A JAKi CHAT: Shared Decision-Making in RA

AbbVie October
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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Recent Blogs

JAKi for PMR: Safe, or a Concern for Older Adults?

David Liew, FRACP
Dr. David Liew
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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Infections Rheums Should Worry About

Cassandra Calabrese, DO
TB.EMimage.CDC_.jpg
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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Hard Conversations: DMARDs and Malignancy

Michael Putman, MD, MSCI
Risk Option Decision
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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