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Anti-Rheumatic Rx

VA (VARA) registry study of 2723 RA pts showed frailty was independently associated with increased cancer incidence. Age-adjusted CA incidence rates (per 1,000PYs) were 12.3 (robust), 15.5 (pre-frail), and 19.9 (frail). CA mortality rates were 7.8, 10.6, & 9.8/1,000PYs https://t.co/Ex52R56oT1
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EBR Journal Club: Dapirolizumab Pegol in SLE (PHOENYCS GO)

The EBR Journal Club Companion applies my adapted version of the JAMA approach to critical appraisal to an important RCT in rheumatology. Each review covers four domains: Does this apply to my patients? What is the risk of bias? How great are the benefits and harms? And what didn’t they show me

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Necrotizing arteritis is rare w/ IgA Vasculitis (IgAV). Review compared 30 IgAV-NA to 257 adult IgAV & 196 PAN pts. Overall IgAV-NA is a severe IgAV phenotype with life-threatening complications & should prompt vascular imaging and intensified immunosuppression. IgAV-NA had more https://t.co/XdPbGX770D
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

“ABCDE” Approach to Difficult-to-Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

The proposed approach to difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis is based on the EULAR definition (having failed 2 or more b/tsDMARDs). The authors provide guidance in the form of an easy acronym, A B C D E, which covers both diagnostic and therapeutic considerations.

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Novartis & BMS CAR-T Cell Trials on Hold

Reuters and the Wall Street Journal report that both Novartis and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) have paused their autoimmune disease CAR-

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Small series of 5 Idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) pts Rx w/ obinutuzumab for refractory myositis (2 antisynthetase syndr, 1 DM, 2 overlap myositis). 4/5 patients achieved complete response. Lung improved/stabilized in ILD patients. Two required second obinutuzumab cycle. https://t.co/0uW6xXQQ2S
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Rheums! Do you have a Rheumatology question or case for Dr. Cush? Record it here, and we may feature it on an upcoming podcast. Tell us your name and where you practice rheumatology. https://t.co/LZ59KW8HdA https://t.co/DwHdvpTYax
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Secukinumab in Polymyalgia Rheumatica PMR is a common disorder of the elderly that responds well to GC, but is plagued by an inability to wean off of GCs. The NEJM has published the results of the REPLENISH trial demonstrating that secukinumab (an interleukin-17A inhibitor) is https://t.co/ijkHKC7IWJ
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EUSTAR Registry - Cancer in Systemic Sclerosis

Cancer is a major cause of mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc).  A nested case-control study within EUSTAR registry shows distinct patterns of cancer related temporally to SSc, serologic profiles and traditional cancer risk factors.

Cancers were

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FDA Approves Brepocitinib to Treat Dermatomyositis

The FDA and Priovant recently 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.

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Resolved HBV infx (HBsAg-neg/anti-HBc+) retrospective study of HBc seroclearance in 230 pts Rx w/ anti-CD20 mAb. anti-HBc seroclearance seen in 16.5% (assoc w/ Younger age, less CD20 Rx, MMF Rx). HBV reactivation seen 5/230 (2.2%), including two w/ HBc seroclearance. HBc https://t.co/T0gfxftOgu
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Glucocorticoids: Use vs.Toxicity This review article addresses the recognition, prevention and management of GC toxicity in rheumatic patients. Despite guidelines and recommendations that GC be tapered, lowered or discontinued, they continue to be widely used with serious https://t.co/Tf8YkQ9iFB
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Per adult-onset IgA vasculitis guidelines, which agent is now preferred for refractory or relapsing disease? Test your knowledge in this week's RheumIQ at https://t.co/TBlB4pmnKa. https://t.co/7tMcDkoCKH
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

NME: New Molecular Entities (8.28.2026)

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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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.
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Spyre Therapeutics topline results of its anti-TL1A Ab (SPY072) in RA (n 133) sub-study: Phase 2 SKYWAY 12wk trial showed 2 doses SPY072 were signif better vs PBO for ACR20 (63% & 58% vs 43%), ACR50 (31% &38% vs 19%), DAS28-CRP reductions (-1.5 & -1.9 vs -1.3). TL1A inhib are https://t.co/S6gapB21uq
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Insights into Sjögren’s Disease - A Rheum Survey

RheumNow recentlty surveyed rheumatologists about Sjogren’s disease (SjD) - how they approach diagnosis, treatment, and unique challenges; all important as new advances in SjD evolves.

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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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JAMA Review: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a chronic autonomic disorder affecting an estimated 0.1%–1% of the US population, with peak incidence at ages 13–29 and a striking 90% female predominance.

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Glucocorticoids: Use vs.Toxicity This review article addresses the recognition, prevention and management of GC toxicity in rheumatic patients. Despite guidelines and recommendations that GC be tapered, lowered or discontinued, they continue to be widely used with serious https://t.co/rmjoYJzCLD
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Guidelines for Adult-Onset IgA Vasculitis

A EUVAS-sponsored expert panel of 37 specialists across rheumatology, nephrology, dermatology and pathology has published evidence-based guidelines for adult-onset IgA vasculitis (IgAV), which behaves very differently in adults compared to usually self-limited childhood form.

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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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VA study of 4108 RA-ILD (2006-21). PRED use was 65-77%, A& 1st line Rx (MMF, AZA, RTX, CTX) incr after ILD, use was low (1.2-12%). MTX decr (47 to 30%), but LEF, TNFi, ABA incr. Predictors of ILD Rx: FVC, CCP+, ILD Dx after 2012. https://t.co/GT3Vwo11w1 https://t.co/KFDKsjkN0k
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
20 long-standing PsO pts (freq nai,scalp dz) (b/tsDMARD-naive) Rx w/ OL apremilast 30 bid x 6 mos. Enthesitis (MRI or HR-pQCT) stable, PsAMRIS stable; no new erosions, but PASI (11-->5) & TJC signif improved (3.2-->0.8) https://t.co/UjACvXyvKs https://t.co/xfQGcW0yz7
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Rheum Scholarship (8.21.2026)

Dr. Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com; talking about lumbar belts, scholarships and misdiagnosis.

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