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Anti-Rheumatic Rx

The EMA CHMP has started a review of oral complement C5 inhibitor avacopan (Tavneos) based on serious questions about amendments to the data from the pivotal ADVOCATE study. The drug was approved in 2021 for use in GPA & MPA. https://t.co/a5ggUqk1dG

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

DMARD Responses in Localized Scleroderma JAMA Dermatology has published the results of a juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS) trial showing that mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and methotrexate (MTX) are equally effective in treating JLS, noting low flare rates and possibly better https://t.co/BbIS5rdRYU
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Canada's 2025 Top 10 Funded Research Projects

Arthritis Society

Arthritis Society Canada (ASC) is Canada’s largest charitable funder of cutting-edge arthritis research, investing more than $240 million in research projects since its founding, and over $7 million invested in 2024-2025. Below are the investigators and projects that were funded in 2025.

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Methotrexate intolerance in rheumatoid arthritis

A current large rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohort study from Cairo assessed methotrexate (MTX) use and found over half were MTX intolerant and a third of patients were noncompliant with MTX.

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Full read review of the Mechanistic Effects of Methotrexate in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. https://t.co/PrMyZ7q3wX download here: https://t.co/aRnmRm770Z https://t.co/5B0mBjzOXQ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Roche Canada announced that Health Canada has approved obinutuzumab (Gazyva) for the treatment of adult patients with active lupus nephritis who are receiving standard therapy. Following four initial doses in the first year, Gazyva can be administered twice yearly https://t.co/P4dCVkoPCH
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

RheumNow Live Preview (1.30.2026)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from RheumNow.com - and the top 5 reasons to attend RheumNow Live 2026, which is one week away.

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Aortitis in Giant Cell Arteritis Treated with Tocilizumab

The The Tocilizumab in Giant Cell Arteritis Spanish Collaborative Group studied giant cell arteritis with aortitis, comparing the efficacy of intravenous vs. subcutaneously (SC) tocilizumab (TCZ) - demonstrating the superiority of SC TCZ.

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Electronic EHR reminders to deprescribe works! EHR study of 1146 pts(mean 74 yrs) showed 2 methods of E-reminder notifications resulted in either a 10.4% or 6.5% deprescribing (vs usual care); deprescribing was 40% more likely (RR 1.40; 95% CI, 1.14-1.73) https://t.co/sXnW5gUP0q https://t.co/n9LhUG612M
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Retractions in Rheumatology

Retraction of rheumatology studies is not uncommon; a recent analysis shows retractions have risen substantially.

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Full read review of the Mechanistic Effects of Methotrexate in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis. https://t.co/PrMyZ7q3wX download here: https://t.co/fvEocwsXIv https://t.co/ZWVctochHV
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Japanese nationwide survey of 1943 RMD pts taking Azathioprine (AZA) 34% had adverse events: hepatobiliary (149%), GI (10%), blood/lymphatic (9%), infections (5%), & skin (2.4%). AEs lead to 71% D/C AZA. Serious AEs (Gr ≥3) higher w/ older (OR 2.5), & SLE (OR 2.3) https://t.co/lVNYVQATfx
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

TOPKAT Trial: Partial vs Total Knee Replacement

MedPage Today

Patients with osteoarthritis (OA) primarily affecting only one knee joint compartment did just as well with partial knee replacement (PKR) as with total arthroplasty after 10 years in a randomized trial -- and maybe a little bit better.

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DMARD Responses in Localized Scleroderma

JAMA Dermatology has published the results of a juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS) trial showing that mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and methotrexate (MTX) are equally effective in treating JLS, noting low flare rates and possibly better tolerability with MMF.

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B Cells at the Brink in Sjögren Disease

The current issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology reviews current understanding of the immunopathogenesis of Sjögren disease (SjD) and how that has influenced the quest for drug development for this most systemic autoimmune disorder. 

Although several new agents have shown very

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Consensus on Managing Vertebral Fractures in Advanced CKD

EurekAlert!

A coalition of leading international experts have released the first comprehensive Consensus Statement on the Management of Vertebral Fractures in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Stages G4–G5D. The statement highlights a neglected yet devastating complication of advanced

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Rheum Poll> Which is the most difficult to treat RA (D2TRA) patient (despite aggressive Rx)?

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Advanced Practice Rheum: Methotrexate https://t.co/PHAFWBG4gJ https://t.co/p9cMqT4nhR
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Treat-to-Target in Gout and Cardiovascular Outcomes

A 5 year JAMA study shows that a treat-to-target (serum urate < 6 mg/dL) study finds that effective urate-lowering treatment (ULT) results in a significantly reduced cardiovascular risk in patients with gout. 

These findinds are significant knowing that

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Rheum Poll> Which is the most difficult to treat RA (D2TRA) patient (despite aggressive Rx)?

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

APPIPRA Study - Benefits of Early Treatment Treating people who are at high risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can delay the onset of the disease for several years, with benefits also continuing well after treatment has stopped. https://t.co/hgxj936CWn https://t.co/eJX3amp3Id
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Trends in Rheumatoid Arthritis Mortality

A recent study examines trends in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-related mortality among U.S. postmenopausal women (aged 55 and older). They found RA mortality rates have declined, yet disparities in who is most affected persist, especially for white women, and those over 85 yrs of age.

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UCAN CAN-DU study of 181 JIA pts starting biologics. Early Rx w/in 6 mos (n=35) assoc. w/ greater odds of achieving inactive arthritis (83% vs 57% in late starters (>12 mos). For each month of delay increased the odds of future active arthritis (after 6 mos) by 9%.

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Did you know theres a Subcutaneous (SC) rituximab (Hycela)? Its same RTX but combined w/ hyaluronidase, faster 5-7 minute injection Vs hours for IV RTX. FDA approved 2017 for Follicular Lymphoma (FL) and Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). Give 1st dose IV, then use SC RTX. https://t.co/piQ2ZhAOyf
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Emergencies, Independence & Hemorrhage (1.23.2026)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and reports from the past two weeks on RheumNow.Com

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