B Cell Depleters (2.21.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.
Read Article
Three B-cell targeting anti-CD20 mAbs in clinical use:
- Rituximab (1997) for RA, GPA, CLL, NHL, Pemphigus Vulgaris
- Ofatumumab (2020) for relapsing MS
- Obinutuzumab (2013) for Follicular lymphoma & CLL
OFA & OBIN may be better than RTX in membranous GN pts w/ anti-RTX Abs… https://t.co/ZhUbXFXjSR https://t.co/vUHkS76PK7
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
TULIP Extension trial shows #SLE Rx w/ anifrolumab + SOC had less organ damage after 208wks. 354 on ANIF (+SOC) vs 561 on SOC alone = ANIF was 59.9% lower SDI (SLE damage index) (HR 0.40) vs those on SOC alone at wk 208. https://t.co/Ox7efMsAW2 https://t.co/55jZBE2aTW
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
CRP and Hidradenitis Supprativa
A post hoc analysis of 2 phase 3 randomized clinical trials (PIONEER I and II) of adalimumab vs Placebo in patients with active Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) demonstrated more severe HS that was associated with elevated CRP had a higher BMI. Adalimumab was equally effective in patients
Read Article
The Cartel is Coming for Rheumatology
At first glance, the pharmaceutical marketplace may not appear like a crime drug ring, but Dr. Feldman of Tulane University described how sinister forces of market manipulation have negatively impacted patient care for years.… https://t.co/nOllJFR9AQ https://t.co/IxyGaysOEe
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Targeting PD-1 in Rheumatoid Arthritis
The results of the large Phase 2b RENOIR trial showed that rosnilimab, a monoclonal antibody targeting PD-1, was effective in moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
The manufacturer, Anaptys, issued a press release regarding rosnilimab, a drug being developed for use in
Read Article
The Cartel is Coming for Rheumatology
"What Do Blockbuster Drugs & The Black Market All Have in Common?" asked Dr. Madelaine Feldman at RheumNow Live 2025. They thrive, she explained, on market exclusivity "... until they don't." At first glance, the pharmaceutical marketplace may not appear like a crime drug ring, but Dr.
Read Article
Eric Dein @ericdeinmd
Active Morphea: - MTX +/- steroids. If not effective, MMF/RTX/ABA - Topicals for circumscribed - Phototherapy Most pts achieve remission in active in 1 year Inactive morphea - Can address with PT, pain rx, psychological support, plastic surgery fat… https://t.co/OMGt8feO0z https://t.co/yWAgY2Z4Ng
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Eric Dein @ericdeinmd
#RNL2025 Treatment of sclerosing skin conditions: Active inflammation? Sclerotic? Atrophic? Target based on activity, depth of involvement and other disease involvement
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
The POWER of #plaquenil
#Hydroxychloroquine works in #rheumatic #diseases by
Old answer
👇
Alters liposomal membranes 🤷♀️
NEW ANSWER
Inhibits TLR signalling 🔥
#RNL2025 Mary *Peggy Crow #SLE #systemic #lupus #erythematosus https://t.co/j2YQjVIpcy
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Combination biologics in PsA: are we there yet?
Despite various and efficacious options for management of PsA there is still an unmet need for patients with inadequate responses to current therapies or difficult-to-treat disease. The role of dual biologic therapy targeting different inflammatory pathways has become an area of great interest
Read Article
Valentine RNL 2025 Review (2.14.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from RheumNow Live 2025 held in Dallas, TX on Feb. 8-9, 2025.
Read Article
Janet Pope @Janetbirdope
Dispel the #myth #rheumatoid #arthritis is NOT Just a disease of Young and middle aged Elderly PREVALENT #RA Pts and 👇 INCIDENT Pts in >65yrs is skyrocketing 🚀 Need #Rx goals and equitable #Rx Uma Makris #RNL2025
https://t.co/3IsVKTSEyy
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Obinutuzumab Efficacy in Active Lupus Nephritis
A phase 3, randomized controlled trial of an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, obinutuzumab, was shown to be effective and safe in patients with active lupus nephritis.
https://t.co/e1cDvJcC9g https://t.co/HUDd1ocAvc
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
ICYMI: Treatment of sclerosing skin disease:
-Progression: inflammation➡️sclerosis➡️ atrophy
-Existing therapies target inflammation not sclerosis-poorly developed ttx for sclerosis
-First aspect is determining disease state, depth of involvement, extracutaneous manifestations… https://t.co/lYQRW2yDRG https://t.co/DQZjYKS2Ks
Links:
Adela Castro @AdelaCastro222( View Tweet )
Obinutuzumab Efficacy in Active Lupus Nephritis
A phase 3, randomized controlled trial of an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, obinutuzumab, was shown to be effective and safe in patients with active lupus nephritis.
Read Article
Study of 702 pts who transitioned from PsO to PsA (median 9yrs) - no baseline differences in PsA pts who transitioned late (>9yrs); but on follow-up, the late group had lower Dz activity, less csDMARD use, but no difference in radiographic progression https://t.co/vwgfa5z6BE https://t.co/N1yUcrcR2o
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
#RNL2025 @RheumNow
JAKi in DM:
@JuliePaikMD- 10 DM pts open label on JAKi. 7/10 improved from mod/severe to mild. In 96wk extension, 6 of 7 continued response
145 case reports for tofa, bari, ruxolitinib.
Role in helping calcinosis? Pruritu?
Brepocitinib (JAK1/TYK2i) study
Eric Dein @ericdeinmd( View Tweet )
#HOT #topic
Will #Rx of #PsO PREVENT onset of #PsA
Well, maybe 🤔
Alexis R Ogdie @RheumNow #RNL2025
70% of #psoriatic #arthritis is preceded by #psoriasis
Still a bit of a debate re prevention of PsA https://t.co/7bce8kcjdr
Janet Pope @Janetbirdope( View Tweet )
Michele Petri @RheumNow #RNL2025
1 mg of prednisone -> 3% increased risk of damage
Taper quickly, withdrawal slowly
Make sure background therapy is on - monitor therapy with HCQ levels, early use of additional Rx https://t.co/pjFNcg99ed
Eric Dein @ericdeinmd( View Tweet )
Can #AI help us determine the
👇
Right drug
At
Right time
Pipe dream?
Or to use #artificial #intelligence term
➡️ a #hallucination?
garbage in ➡️➡️garbage out
Most predictions of drug response are same: multimorbid multiRx failures
Nonadherent poverty #RNL25 @RheumNow https://t.co/70SRp8BnCl
Janet Pope @Janetbirdope( View Tweet )
Pain Management in Rheumatoid Arthritis
BMC has published a full read literture review of pharmacological pain management in rheumatoid arthritis, pointing out that the best evidence for pain control comes from the use of DMARDs and treat-to-target strategies.… https://t.co/1rcTxpQxxT https://t.co/s20bg5FJqQ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Rituximab is FDA approved for treatment of moderate to severe pemphigus, but 20% may relapse in 1st Yr. Study of 87 pts shows the efficacy of repeat 6 mos RTX in A) those with persistent Dz activity and B) anyone w/ predictors of relapse (PDAI score, DSG1 or DSG3 abs)… https://t.co/IhqdGWVcdp https://t.co/MKhDpa5zHv
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Drug Naming Games (2.7.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, regulatory and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.
Read Article
Cannabis Hospitalizations and Mortality Risk
A Canadian population, retrospective cohort study shows individuals needing hospital-based (emergency department or hospitalization) care for a cannabis use disorder (CUD) were at increased risk of death.
Cannabis use disorders (CUD) are associated with
Recent Blogs
How would you manage a patient with Overlap (anti-synthetase) syndrome, ILD, polyarthritis and myositis?
Read Post
