Lupus

Interferon-α as an Immunologic Driver of Sjögren's Disease Using data from a Sjogren's registry, researchers have shown that IFNα drives Sjögren's disease, and can be elevated a decade before diagnosis. This study assessed the role of type 1 interferon (IFNα) in its onset and https://t.co/0BDDvR5cUB
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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$2 Million in Research Grants for Juvenile Arthritis

Jack Cush, MD

July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month, and while many people think of arthritis as a disease of aging, nearly 300,000 children in the U.S. are living with a rheumatic disease.

Equally important is that 2026 marks a 50 year anniversary for Pediatric

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Primary biliary cholangitis is a chronic cholestatic disease characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of bile ducts, leading to fibrosis, cirrhosis, & liver failure. Ursodeoxycholic acid is 1st line Rx. New Rx include elafibranor & seladelpar (activates peroxisome https://t.co/tKloXvJYek
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GI dz & malnutrition in scleroderma (SSc) is common, assessed by BMI. Among 450 SSc (F/U 5.3 yrs), lower BMI were significantly assoc w/ pseudoobstruction, smaller oral aperture, higher Medsger vascular severity scores. Defines those at risk https://t.co/JY9YFOWE5C https://t.co/xFZ0rCXjQv

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Among 784,091 pts in a UK acute MI registry, 715 (0.1%) had SLE. SLE pts were younger & more female. SLE w/ MI had signif higher adjusted all-cause mortality from 30 days (HR 1.62) to 5 years (HR 1.84), despite age & having less traditional cardiovascular comorbidities https://t.co/78oHVWTdTJ
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Chinese cohort of 209 AOSD pts identifed 49 (23%) w/ lung dz (by CXR), yet 69% were asymptomatic. Significcant risk factors for AOSD-LD were pleuritis, MAS (HR 2.62), & Dz relapse (HR 2.6). Imaging patterns: acute exudative pattern most prevalent, followed by interstitial and https://t.co/2IPJWRJicP
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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Sjogren,board

Interferon-α as an Immunologic Driver of Sjögren's Disease

Jack Cush, MD

Using data from a Sjogren's registry, researchers have shown that IFNα drives Sjögren's disease, and
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Metanalysis of 51 studies shows vaccination is suboptimal in Rheum. Influenza Vax rates: RA 50%, SLE 42%, AS 43% & Psa 53%. Pneumococcal vaccinations even lower: 37%, 30%, 39% and 41%. More by with age & comorbidites and by rheumatologists (vs PCPs) https://t.co/3DborC9BLW https://t.co/MPDeJUH0HI

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Systemic sclerosis metanalysis of 31 studies (32,134 pts) shows malignancy risk signif increased (SIR 1.66; CI 1.32 - 2.08). Highest: esophageal, liver, cervical, lung, & Heme (SIR 3.35 - 13.95). 7.4 yr mean from SSc to CA dx. https://t.co/IhxvfkMqkf https://t.co/dTFjD4iqth

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Metanalysis of 31 studies (14,548 pts) looked at infection in idiopathic inflamm myopathy (IIMs). Infection prevalence was 24%, primarily Respiratory tract. PJP, aspergillosis, H zoster most prevalent pathogens. Risk factors: older age, male, DM, HTN,MDA5+ (OR 3.41), rapidly https://t.co/Go51MUOQlG
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ACP Position Paper on Dietary Supplements

Jack Cush, MD

More than half of U.S. adults use dietary supplements, yet only a quarter use supplements recommended by a healthcare professional, and current law lets supplements reach the market with no premarket safety evaluation, unlike drugs or food additives. The paper notes that under DSHEA, dietary

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EMD Serono Announces FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for Enpatoran (TLR 7/8 inhibitors) for use in Cutaneous Lupus; based on the results from the Phase 2 WILLOW study https://t.co/TNM4whC0Qk https://t.co/70Cibg1gkW

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DMARD Efficacy in RA-ILD A network meta-analysis in the Journal of Autoimmunity reviews the pharmacologic options for rheumatoid arthritis–associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). RA-ILD guidelines were recently presented by ERS/EULAR, but these were mainly conditional,

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CAR-T

CAR-T Therapy: EULAR 2026 Conference Recap

Jack Cush, MD

CAR-T therapy in autoimmune disease is moving fast - but is it ready to move beyond specialized referral centers? This EULAR 2026 recap covers the mechanistic data, relapse biology, and access innovations shaping that answer.

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EULAR26: Vasculitis updates: Glucorticoid use in AAV and GCA EULAR recommends a combination of glucocorticoids with either rituximab or cyclophosphamide for remission induction in life-threatening or organ-threatening AAV, followed by gradual tapering of glucocorticoids. https://t.co/9HI9SwMSSv
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Insights into Treating Lupus - A Rheum Survey RheumNow recently surveyed clinicians to better understand current practice patterns, educational needs, and barriers to the use of new, advanced therapies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A total of 197 clinicians completed https://t.co/HNaUK5Q9uq
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ICYMI: 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. https://t.co/OBFqHYof5m
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RT @minidey #OP0342 Interim real-world ASTER data showed anifrolumab improved overall SLEDAI-2K scores & reduced disease activity across multiple organ systems over 12 months, particularly mucocutaneous & MSK domains. Nearly 30% achieved SLEDAI-2K=0 at 1 year. #EULAR2026

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Insights into Treating Lupus - A Rheum Survey 

Jack Cush, MD

RheumNow recently surveyed clinicians to better understand current practice patterns, educational needs, and barriers to the use of new, advanced therapies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A total of 197 clinicians completed the survey.

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Obexelimab in IgG4-Related Disease: INDIGO Trial Dr. Henrique Dalmolin reports on abstract OP018 from EULAR 2026. https://t.co/Wid9ZzESae https://t.co/Qo4y8ebkOn

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ICYMI: B Cells at the Brink in Sjögren Disease

Jack Cush, MD

A recent 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.

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B cell Targeting in SLE Prospects are growing that an approved, off-the-shelf drug can rescue patients with certain ultra-refractory autoimmune diseases, a pair of new reports suggest. https://t.co/wGaZPnXfID https://t.co/a0fNvdcrbQ

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RHEUM SURVEY> Do you prefer a lupus drug if it has a lupus nephritis indication (when your treating non-renal SLE)? Answer here >> https://t.co/1KridYM9n8 https://t.co/zIqNB5Mc0O

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EULAR26: Updates in SLE and APS

EurekAlert!

Severe refractory systemic lupus erythematosus (srSLE) is a clinical state conceptualised as persistent high disease activity despite standard care with glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants.

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Therapeutic Updates

Expert insights on the 2024 ACR Guideline recommendations for lupus nephritis

Sponsored by Aurinia
Aurinia 2026 May RX Update
Two experts in lupus care offer a balanced perspective on applying the updated ACR Guideline recommendations and the clinical nuances of managing lupus nephritis.
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Navigating the Path to SLE Remission

AZ RX Update
Watch rheumatologists Dr Anca Askanase and Dr Cristina Arriens discuss their clinical perspectives on how to target and achieve DORIS remission in clinical practice.
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Recent Blogs

Advanced Practice Rheum

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Jack Cush, MD
APR SLE VIDEO COVER
Dr. Cush reviews systemic lupus erythematosus.
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Advanced Practice Rheum

Evaluation of Rheumatic Complaints

Jack Cush, MD
Eval of Rheum Complaints Cover Image
Dr. Cush provides a systematic approach to evaluating musculoskeletal and rheumatic complaints in clinical practice.
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rheumthought

CNS Lupus (NPSLE)

Jack Cush, MD
Cush RhTh CNS
29 yr. old woman with SLE and transverse myelitis. Is this NPSLE; how to diagnose?
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Podcasts

  • Day 4 Recap EULAR 2026
  • EULAR 2026 Daily Podcast Day 2c
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