IL-6

Retrospective review of 113 AOSD pts, median age 45yrs, ferritin 4626 (IQR 1169–14,239). Advanced Rx (IVIG, IL-1, IL-6) required in 15 (13.3%), NOT predicted by ferritin levels, either measured continuously or by quartiles. Ferritin is not a reliable biomarker in AOSD. https://t.co/pHEPeIf9u2
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
FDG,PET,CT

PET Uptake in Large Vessel GCA – Does tocilizumab help?

Brian Jaros, MD

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common form of adult vasculitis in the United States and can be subdivided into those with cranial only symptoms, those with large vessel vasculiti/PMR, and those with mixed features. Non-invasive imaging is key in detecting large vessel

Read Article
I've always (very) simplistically considered post-CAR-T CRS and HLH/MAS in the same bucket, and there certainly are substantial similarities. It raises the obvious question - can we borrow therapies? @CarolineDiorio @ChildrensPhila in the #ACR25 BCRC pre-meeting @RheumNow https://t.co/2HkHxpl89u

Links:

David Liew @drdavidliew( View Tweet )
Mateo Faxas et al. TriNetX study, propensity score matched. 3000 patients. Arrythmia risk is higher with IL-6i vs TNFi in diabetic RA patients. V Tachy (HR 1.4), PPM need (HR 1.4) significantly higher. AF, SVT, VF all numerically increased. @RheumNow #ACR25 Abstr#2283 https://t.co/U2Tk38Mobg

Links:

Richard Conway @RichardPAConway( View Tweet )
#1726 IA from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) is a distinct autoimmune entity: T cell-driven but not antibody-mediated irAE arthritis shows hyperactive, cytotoxic CD8+ T cells & metabolic reprogramming, unlike RA. IL-6, IL-12 & IFNα fuel this process. @RheumNow #ACR25

Mrinalini Dey @DrMiniDey( View Tweet )

Biomarkers in Stills disease and MAS. #ACR25 @RheumNow IL 6 may not be helpful compared to CRP, and IL 1 beta is difficult to measure IL-18 seems to be the best one. https://t.co/u3oBTd4eaP

Links:

Bella Mehta @bella_mehta( View Tweet )
IL- 18 go together sometimes with glycolytic enzymes such as aldolase Also MAS may not be a switch on and off mechanism. Lastly MAS with Stills may have increased IL18 levels but not in other disease like SLE #ACR25 @RheumNow https://t.co/BW1fD7usBT

Links:

Bella Mehta @bella_mehta( View Tweet )
What do we know about IL-18 Normal levels less than 500 Non specific 500 to 15000 Stills (quiet) 2000 to 10000 Mas/glares 20000 and more @RheumNow #ACR25 https://t.co/ZAltAD5Q8V

Links:

Bella Mehta @bella_mehta( View Tweet )
Kuzkina et al. Efficacy of IL-6i with olokizumab on depression in RA. There appear to be some benefit but anti-depressants still needed. Group 1 is olokizumab alone, other 2 groups have anti-depressants also. @RheumNow #ACR25 Abstr#1323 https://t.co/h2ExYQgKTL

Links:

Richard Conway @RichardPAConway( View Tweet )
#0853 Olink proteomics in anti-Ro+ pregnancies identifies macrophage-derived IL-6 & CCL3 as serum predictors of foetal AV block These pro-inflammatory proteins predicted fAVB independent of maternal diagnosis or Ab titres, pointing to new pathogenic pathways. @RheumNow #ACR25

Mrinalini Dey @DrMiniDey( View Tweet )

#1627 SLR informing the 2025 @eular_org recommendations for PMR & LVV 🔍 141 studies (30 RCTs) reviewed: new & further evidence for IL-6, JAK & B-cell-targeted therapies. Data will underpin updated management guidance. @RheumNow #ACR25

Mrinalini Dey @DrMiniDey( View Tweet )

Upadacitinib in GCA doesn't just affect IL-6, it alters IFNg, known to be important in vascular change in GCA. If UPA in GCA has some cardiovascular concerns extrapolated from RA, it also has some plausible cardiovascular benefits too that TCZ may not #ACR25 ABST0751 @RheumNow https://t.co/rMetLPP9z6

Links:

David Liew @drdavidliew( View Tweet )
From Eye on Cytokine Storm- Decoding MAS by Dr Grant Schulert : “IL-18 is highly elevated in SJIa and other autoinflammatory disorders…can amplify innate signaling as well as induce IFN-gamma”. @RheumNow #ACR2025 https://t.co/6e5yfeDepX

Links:

Gabriela Martinez Zayas, MD @MartinezZayasMd( View Tweet )
Muscle mass & JAKi? 15 active RA pts (+ sarcopenia risk) Rx w/ tofacitinib - signif. improved @1 mo. @6 mos muscle mass signif improved (+242 cm3, +4%, p=0·017) {less w/ NSAIDs); w/ signif creatinine incr (0.06 mg/dl) & decr in serum IL-6, IL-1 & TNF. No change in CK, myoglobin, https://t.co/taY7DisMOS
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Review of IL-1 family cytokines in inflammation and immunity - including, IL-1, IL-18, IL-33, IL-36, IL-37, IL-38, IL-1Ra, etc. Full read -- Good Reference!! https://t.co/01o05qYPjU https://t.co/HLcfPM2cPw

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Cancer.risk_.jpg

Malignancies Not Increased with Biologic Therapies

Jack Cush, MD

The risk of malignancy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients receiving biologic agents was evaluated by metanalysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and found no significant increased risk of malignancy compared with other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or with placebo

Read Article
Canakinumab in VEXAS - 47 males Rx w/ anakinra (44), canakinumab (9), or both(6). Response @1 mos: ANAK 34% vs CANK 100%; 22% vs 78% @ 3 mos. Drug survival was 54 mos CANK 300/m; 7 mo CANK 150/m; 1 mo ANAK. More ISR (47% v 0) & infx w/ ANAK https://t.co/Y3iSfajTal https://t.co/qTNamGDwVI

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Join us Sept 23 @ 7PM ET for the next Rheum to Breathe Journal Club! We’ll dive into two pivotal ILD studies: 📄 FIBRONEER (Nerandomilast in PPF) – NEJM 2025 📄 RECITAL (Rituximab vs Cyclophosphamide in CTD-ILD) – Lancet Panelists: Dr. Toby Maher, Dr. Shervin Assassi Moderator: https://t.co/BebFhDJ1mM
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Study of 43 PsA pts starting bDMARD shows Calprotectin was elevated in PsA, decreased w/ biologics, but had no signif correlation w/ US synovitis. Baseline calprotectin, S100A12, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-23, CXCL10 were high. Calprotectin, S100A12, IL-6 decreased w/ Rx (p < 0.05).

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

guidelines.recommendations.jpg

ERS/EULAR guidelines for CTD-related interstitial lung disease

Jack Cush, MD

The European Respiratory Society (ERS) and European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) have published clinical practice guidelines for the evaluation and management of connective tissue diseases (CTD) associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) in two simultaneous publications in

Read Article
APLAR on blue background

APLAR 2025: What’s New in RA Management?

Aurelie Najm, MD, PhD

The unveiling of the updated 2025 recommendations for RA treatment, presented by Josef Smolen in the plenary session on the first day of the conference, sparked attention. Although not yet formally published, these updated recommendations represent a refined consensus that simplifies decision-

Read Article
RheumNow Podcast square

Sjögren's Graduates (8.22.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports, FDA approvals, drug safety, and more from this week.

Read Article
Advances in Still's disease Rx: - using IL-1 or IL-6 inhibitors 1st line - New FDA approval of emapalumab (IFNg) for MAS - unclear if biologics can cause lung probs in Stills https://t.co/zSqTcOSVGE https://t.co/8GhoamkV4N

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Systematic review of Rx options for #PMR (24 pubs, 10 RCTs, & 13 prognostic studies) concludes IL6-R inhibitors effective GC sparing agents; RTX & Tofa are promising. Quality trials needed to refine Rx & establish prognostic markers for decision-making. Fast-track clinics https://t.co/c3rI6u1aI6
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Advances in Still's disease Rx: - using IL-1 or IL-6 inhibitors 1st line - New FDA approval of emapalumab (IFNg) for MAS - unclear if biologics can cause lung probs in Stills https://t.co/zSqTcOSVGE https://t.co/qefCt5b7qh

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Recent Blogs

Overlap Syndrome with ILD

Jack Cush, MD
Cush RheumThought ILD

How would you manage a patient with Overlap (anti-synthetase) syndrome, ILD, polyarthritis and myositis?

Read Post

Advancing PMR

Eric L. Matteson, MD, MPH
Dr. Eric Matteson
Even though polymyalgia rheumatica is not perceived by many physicians as a severe diagnosis, its diagnosis and management actually propose significant challenges. I'd like to talk about those challenges, and what directions our path forward can include to advance our understanding and improve the treatment of patients who have PMR. Read Post
How well do you know this week's rheumatology news?
Take the rheumIQ quiz
Take the RheumIQ Quiz

×