Lupus

SLE.Pearl

Petri SLE Pearls: An Update

Kathryn H. Dao, M.D.

At the CCR West 2026 conference in Huntington Beach, California, Dr. Michelle Petri updated her Petri Pearls. Some are derived from new data, while others are from her extensive experience caring for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). As always, her observations and wisdom have

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Amgen announced topline results from the Phase 3 OASIZ 301 study showing the efficacy of dazodalibep in Sjögren's dz, w/ signif ESSDAI improvements at wek 48. DAZO is a CD40L antagonist fusion protein https://t.co/5QPBdZivxC https://t.co/VfV873Lire

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Metanalysis of Metabolic syndrome (MetS) in #SLE (65 articles, 11K pts). MetS prevalence 27% (higher in males (36 vs 27%). HCQ assoc w/ signif less MetS (OR 0.66), but more w/ CTX (1.39), AZA (1.25), MMF (1.13), but not steroids or MTX. MetS pts were older, obese, w/ high Chol & https://t.co/qSXZkyYTmZ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Retrospective study from India on 157 juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) pts - 44 (28%) had calcinosis. They had a long Dx delay (12 mos), were NXP2+ in 41%, & high risk for Lipodystrophy (39% vs 5%). 39% improved while 61% had static/progressive Dz https://t.co/z5gvqzZV6C https://t.co/9WlzPDZ74w

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Cluster analysis of Spanish RELES #SLE SLE cohort reveals 3 groups. C1 (n 168) was younger, w/ lupus nephritis, low C3, intensive Rx, high infx & damage. C2 (175) w/ cytopenias, serositis, APL & dsDNA(+). C3 (452) mild skin-Jts, less serologic activity & complications https://t.co/OYTXD4KV6O
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Scleroderma-Specific Autoantibodies in Early Systemic Sclerosis Prognostication is tenous in early scleroderma, especially in those with dcSSc. dcSSc has associated with substantial morbidity and disease-specific mortality. Analysis of an early SSc registry shows that anti-RNA https://t.co/Qvu2vSShcg
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Amgen announced topline results from the Phase 3 OASIZ 301 study evaluating dazodalibep (CD40L antagonist fusion protein) in adult Sjögren's dz w/ positive ESSDAI results at wk 48 https://t.co/hBKIdOE9aR https://t.co/y3tXp5xwgC

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
It’s almost time. 🔥 Registration for RheumNow Live 2027 opens OCTOBER 1. Two days of practical, engaging rheumatology education designed to challenge how you think and influence how you practice. 📅 Jan 30–31, 2027 📍 Dallas + Online https://t.co/Ju0zzYX8Tl
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
EBR Journal Club: Obexelimab in IgG4-Related Disease (INDIGO) The EBR Journal Club Companion applies my adapted JAMA approach to critical appraisal to an important rheumatology RCT. Each review covers four domains: Does this apply to my patients? What is the risk of bias? How https://t.co/rH7BY21FvF
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Discussing Weight Loss: 3 Minute Script Dr. Jack Cush's 3 Minute Script as discussed in his Introducing Weight Loss video. https://t.co/JRWAPc5if5 https://t.co/jI65VzTIfs

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
OL study of tofacitinib in 20 juvenile DM pts w/ calcinosis cutis (11 boys; age 10.4 yrs; CC x 31 mos). Calcinosis assessed by CT scan showed decr Agatston score from 6,349 to 4,007. No SAE. https://t.co/UDLLwce3mp https://t.co/BflewkO0RM

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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 https://t.co/Pi45T99oJm
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Dutch single center study of ANCA tests (n 5518) betw 2012-2023; 286 (5.2%) were positive: 63% did not have AAV. ANCA+ Non-AAV pts had other CTD, neoplasia, infxn, or used specific drugs. IIF and ELISA 1st test - good negative predictive values. Performing a second test increased https://t.co/0oAhOg10VL
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
The 1980s quietly rewired rheumatology. Methotrexate became the anchor DMARD. APS emerged as a distinct clinical syndrome. SLE classification was standardized. Cytokine biology began pointing toward the biologic era. A decade that moved rheumatology from symptom control toward https://t.co/9NUXorQDTG

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Aravind Palraj @Rheumat_Aravind( View Tweet )
FDA Grants Fast Track Designation to treprostinil inhalation powder (Yutrepia - currently FDA approved to tx Pulm HTN) for the Treatment of Raynaud’s Phenomenon assoc w/ Systemic Sclerosis. A Phase 2a RE-WARM dose-finding study will begin October 2026. https://t.co/x4X1Ld1egZ https://t.co/GsZ9LXJjre

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Cohort analysis shows autoimmune rheum Dz (AIRD) pts who recv COVID vax w/ boosters & updates were 41%, 71%, and 69% less likely to have COVID-related hospitalization (vs no Vax). If only initial vaccine series (without booster/updated vaccine), risk reduction was 5.6%. (n= https://t.co/NdEKKWdOAy
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Leeds study of 44 patients idiopathic inflamm myopathy (IIM) pts Rx w/ rituximab showed a 70% response 4-6 mos post RTX. Responders had higher TIS (50·0 vs 17·5). Using highly sensitive flow cytometry, @ 2 wks responders had lower #s memory B cells & Plasmablasts. Is there a role https://t.co/HTxOIxkezs
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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 https://t.co/1jAvPfRI0m
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
NEJM images: Jaccoud’s arthropathy is a chronic, deforming;from laxity of the ligaments & tendons (not damage to bone & cartilage). Deformities are reducible & no erosions on Xray. Jaccoud’s mimics RA, but most seen w/ SLE. https://t.co/99WDNcpT5c https://t.co/EdiGW1dDWY

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Chinese retrospective study of 140 Bx proven Kikuchi-Fujimoto pts shows very few evolve into #SLE. While 60% were ANA+ (11.3% other autoAbs) - none developed SLE (median F/U 39mos). KFD is benign, self limiting necrotizing lymphadenitis usually in young women. https://t.co/NjNoMOgNcC
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Metanalysis looked at neutrophil to Lymph ration (NLR) in SLE - 31 studies, 4,006 SLE pts. NLR signif incr in SLE worldwide. NLR was higher in Active vs inactive SLE, and showed a significant but moderate correlation w/ SLEDAI (CC=0.354, p < 0.001). https://t.co/tA6UBb1wVo https://t.co/XoXrf6HlKL

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
EBR Journal Club: Dapirolizumab Pegol in SLE (PHOENYCS GO) The EBR Journal Club Companion applies my adapted JAMA approach to critical appraisal to an important rheumatology RCT. Each review covers four domains: Does this apply to my patients? What is the risk of bias? How https://t.co/kereLii5J6
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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Treating Obesity is Disease-Modifying (9.4.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.  New drugs approved, new drugs halted and some drugs out of control. Ready to test your knowlege? Take this week's quiz!

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NEJM images: Jaccoud’s arthropathy is a chronic, deforming;from laxity of the ligaments & tendons (not damage to bone & cartilage). Deformities are reducible & no erosions on Xray. Jaccoud’s mimics RA, but most seen w/ SLE. https://t.co/99WDNcpT5c https://t.co/77zAjpQh9A

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Korean retrospective study compared NIDDM pts Rx w/ SGLT2 inhibitor (n 552,065) vs sulfonylurea (1,480,092) showed SGLT2 inhibitors were assoc w/ a signif 11% lower risk of incident autoimmune rheumatic disease (HR 0.89). Diff of −6.50 per 100K PYs over median ~9 mos F/U. https://t.co/uTiCjejkjL
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

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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Lupus Nephritis

Sponsored by RheumNow
Management of CKD in Lupus Nephritis Patients
View our six video perspectives on lupus nephritis, including Management of CKD in Lupus Nephritis.
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Obesity and Lupus: Coconspirator or Comorbidity?

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