Lupus

RT @Gibson_RheumPAC Drug-induced SCLE remains an important mimic in biologic-treated patients. Compared with idiopathic SCLE, drug-induced disease is often more widespread and may resolve with antibody normalization after withdrawal.#RNL26 https://t.co/ICOzg3Tz4L
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Haque and Goodman

Obesity, Surgery, and Optimizing Patient Care

Eric Dein, MD

Rheumatologic care involves multidisciplinary approaches and collaboration with specialties to treat complex, systemic diseases. While many Pods at RheumNow Live are disease specific, the Pod II focused on Advancing Practice on important and emerging areas affecting rheumatologic patients. This

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Dr. Fleischman on lupus dz activity including SLEDAI, which you can use on practice. But not for practice are SLE-DAS, BILAG, BICLA, SRI-4, DORIS @RWCSmtg #RWCS26 https://t.co/7sOaE7SMht
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
REcently published SMILE study looked at the potential of HCQ (vs PBO) to prevent SLE in at risk people. Had to be ANA+ and 1-2 SLICC criteria at entry. Can you Prevent SLE? Dr. David Karp lecturing at UTSW @drdavidkarp @utswrheum https://t.co/s4Mzoec5ga
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Factors that may augment future development of SLE - includes Vitamin D levels, poor sleep, EBV reactivation & social determinants of health. Can you Prevent SLE? Dr. David Karp lecturing at UTSW @drdavidkarp @utswrheum https://t.co/2J1JBjeXKU
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
FDA has announced "Breakthrough Designation" for 3 drugs + 1 test being developed: ** Biogen: litifilimab (targets dendritic cells) for cutaneous lupus ** Novartis: Ianalumab (BAFF blockade) for Sjogrens ** J&J: Nipocaiimab (FcRn) for Sjogrens ** Encarta: pocket Lyme test https://t.co/RMKg14rejq
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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ANA Pollution (2.06.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal articles and regulatory news from this past week on RheumNow.com

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FDA sent a complete response letter to AstraZeneca on their application (BLA) for anifrolumabs (Saphnelo) subcutaneous use in SLE. Despite a positive TULIP-SC trial & EU approval of SC-anifrolumab, FDA & sponsor still have to work things out. CRL reasons are unknown https://t.co/3dNwEyolrj
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
NEXT STEPS: Karp and investigators are engaged in the MONA LISA study - Using smile Data and biospeciments – they intend to look for biomarkers that may better predict the future development of SLE Dr. David Karp lecturing at UTSW @drdavidkarp @utswrheum https://t.co/acZD1kmNhq
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
The challenge may be that lupus has multiple endotypes with variable rates of progression/trajectories. Can you Prevent SLE? Dr. David Karp lecturing at UTSW @drdavidkarp @utswrheum https://t.co/BA4KRKebIv
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
SMILE enrollment hampered by COVID - yet failed to show a protective effect for HCQ in preventing SLE. Can you Prevent SLE? Dr. David Karp lecturing at UTSW @drdavidkarp @utswrheum https://t.co/GImHpycbgO
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
REcently published SMILE study looked at the potential of HCQ (vs PBO) to prevent SLE in at risk people. Had to be ANA+ and 1-2 SLICC criteria at entry. Can you Prevent SLE? Dr. David Karp lecturing at UTSW @drdavidkarp @utswrheum https://t.co/4FY0kOLdRT
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Factors that may augment future development of SLE - includes Vitamin D levels, poor sleep, EBV reactivation & social determinants of health. Can you Prevent SLE? Dr. David Karp lecturing at UTSW @drdavidkarp @utswrheum https://t.co/e3TKATcxXB
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Only a subset of incomplete lupus (ILE) will progress to SLE - betw 1 in 10 and 1 in 5. Can you Prevent SLE? Dr. David Karp lecturing at UTSW @drdavidkarp @utswrheum https://t.co/oo40Dumk4I
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Can you Prevent SLE? Dr. David Karp lecturing at UTSW Showing that autoantibodies exist long before the onset of SLE @drdavidkarp @utswrheum https://t.co/zPAYbSlIBS
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
FDA has announced "Breakthrough Designation" for 3 drugs + 1 test being developed: ** Biogen: litifilimab (targets dendritic cells) for cutaneous lupus ** Novartis: Ianalumab (BAFF blockade) for Sjogrens ** J&J: Nipocaiimab (FcRn) for Sjogrens ** Encarta: pocket Lyme test https://t.co/zODOTWyqP8
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 )
RNL, over, microphone

RheumNow Live Preview (1.30.2026)

Jack Cush, MD

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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Remission? Single center study of 100 RA, 100 SLE pts assessed by SLEDAI-2K, SDAI, VAS. Remission/LDA found in 88% of 392 SLE visits & 91% of 389 RA visits(p=NS). Remission was more common in SLE vs RA (79% vs 69%; p= 0.0018). https://t.co/ZPRrYQMsCT

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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 )
Sjogren_syndrome_salivary%20bx%282%29.jpg

B Cells at the Brink in Sjögren Disease

Jack Cush, MD

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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Lupus Foundation announced today that US House of Representatives have approved $27 Million in Funding for Lupus Programs in 2026 w/ fund available from (CDC), OMH, & DoD. Funding increased 40% @ CDC, 33% @OMH, & $415 million @ National Institutes of Health https://t.co/ENcykcW7yA
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/snAVErShjK
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Lupus Accelerating Breakthroughs Consortium commissioned a stakeholders group (including the FDA) to assess drug development in Cutaneous lupus CLE), and they have endorsed CLASI (CLE Dz Area & Severity Index) as the outcome measure for CLE clinical trials. https://t.co/q7If97AHBa
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
New content online: Recommendations for the use of CLASI as an outcome measure in cutaneous lupus erythematosus clinical trials https://t.co/nDxfWWgutC https://t.co/Z6JMojdBz4

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NatRevRheumatol @NatRevRheumatol( View Tweet )

Recent Blogs

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. Read Post
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? Read Post
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Rx Updates (filtered for Topic)

Therapeutic Updates

The Impact of Obesity on Psoriatic Arthritis

Sponsored by Lilly Medical Affairs
Lilly February RX Update Revised Image
Image alt text: A person indoors raises one arm in a flexed pose while holding the elbow with the opposite hand. Is obesity common in your patients with PsA? Learn more about the intersection of disease pathogenesis between PsA and obesity and how weight intervention can affect PsA outcomes.
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