A New RA Approval (8.1.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and a new treatment for RA from the FDA.
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HCQ Preserves Renal Function in Lupus Nephritis
Lupus nephritis (LN) patients on long-term therapy with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) showed significantly less decline in renal function, compared with patients treated otherwise, a 10-year retrospective study indicated. https://t.co/dB6G34c6Mw
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"FLAME" - machine learning model developed to predict SLE flares. Data from 28,433 SLE pts (2011-2022) looked at clinical & social determinants of health (SDoH) to predict 3 mo flare risk. AUROC = 0.67; SHAP analysis identified HA, OBS, & pyuria as predictors. Is this the https://t.co/6Eqqc9w2oV
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HCQ Preserves Renal Function in Lupus Nephritis
MedPage Today
Lupus nephritis patients on long-term therapy with hydroxychloroquine showed significantly less decline in renal function, compared with patients treated otherwise, a 10-year retrospective study indicated.
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Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), as a potential biomarker -- computed as platelet count × neutrophil count/lymphocyte count. SII has been shown to be useful in RA, PsA, SpA, SLE and vasculitis, reflecting disease activity, drug responses & supplements ESR & CRP levels https://t.co/LuFaYbWiWN
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If severe refractory SLE is defined as SLEDAI-2K≥10 despite steroids & immunosuppressives; Cohort of 3,744 SLE - 14% (578) had srSLE. Median SLEDAI-2K = 12, & decreased to 6 at 6m & 12m> < 25% achieved LLDAS & only 1% attained GC-free remission @ 12 mos https://t.co/7tehA27gyT https://t.co/yef4wCpqNf
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Practical management of rheumatic immune-related adverse events with immune checkpoint inhibitors
Joint Bone Spine has published a full read review of the management of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in patients receiving Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for cancer.
NHANES, Numbers, & Risk (7.18.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com along with interesting case questions from "Ask Cush Anything".
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Stroke in patients with SLE is associated with a poorer outcome than matched controls in
terms of functional recovery, recurrence, and mortality - study of 40 SLE vs 120 controls w/ CVA https://t.co/spBT1u6bfj https://t.co/eVNYBogJWz
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1 in 5 Patients are Unaware of their Arthritis Diagnosis
Current CDC numbers suggest that arthritis (any type) affects an estimated 67.1 million (27.9% ) adults in the USA. Interestingly, 1 in 5 do not know their arthritis subtype (21.6%, 14.4 million).
This most recent analysis of the prevalence and distribution of arthritis subtypes
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Rheums! Question or case for Jack Cush? Record it here and we may feature it on an upcoming podcast.
https://t.co/HsqM9xLNtP https://t.co/voONsOLeSK
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🎩REGENCY: Obinutuzumab + standard therapy improved renal outcomes in #lupus nephritis across all tested response definitions (REGENCY, BLISS-LN, AURORA-1). Week 76 CRR consistently 13–16% higher vs placebo. Results hold despite variable thresholds.
@RheumNow #EULAR2025 #OP0006
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ICYMI: SLE: advances to achieve deep B-cell depletion
The race is on for the first chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-based therapy to be approved for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus. Its main principle is to induce deep B-cell depletion, with the hope to reset the B-cell aberrant immunity for a sustained clinical remission. At EULAR
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ICYMI: Should Lupus Nephritis Receive PJP Prophylaxis?
A current review article suggests that the need for Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) prophylaxis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis will need to be individualized based on therapies and risk factors.
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ICYMI: Clinical and Therapeutic Challenges in Connective Tissue Disease and ILD
Connective tissue diseases (CTDs) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) represent a challenging intersection of systemic autoimmunity and progressive respiratory impairment. Research presented at EULAR 2025 continues to highlight the importance of CTD-ILD and the evolving landscape of therapeutic
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Glucocorticoid Tapering in SLE
Dr. Yuz Yusof discusses abstract POS1224 presented at the 2025 EULAR meeting in Barcelona, Spain.
https://t.co/oI992YLvnB https://t.co/mPmMxcpMey
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Rituximab - Super Responders Exist in SLE
Dr. Yuz Yusof reports on abstract POS0325 presented at the 2025 EULAR meeting in Barcelona.
https://t.co/LkYzMtsErn https://t.co/awRhQmbhoT
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ICYMI: TNF Inhibitor Drug-Induced Lupus
A study from the FDA's adverse event reporting system (FAERS or Medwatch) database identified cases of drug induced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in patients receiving tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors - a paradoxical reaction to common antiinflammatory biologic agents.
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Pregnancy in SLE: Risks Extend Beyond Clinical Concerns
Pregnancy in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) continues to carry significantly elevated risks, with maternal mortality rates nearly five times higher than in the general population.
https://t.co/3G7Eftt0Kg https://t.co/X3SUl6FTHO
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Upcoming Lupus Nephritis Pipeline
1. Gazyva (obinutuzumab) – due for FDA/EMA decision
2. Saphnelo IV (anifrolumab) – now in Phase III (new indication for LN
3. Ianalumab SC (Dual-action B-cell inhibitor) – now in Phase III https://t.co/mTInV8JXzq https://t.co/jEv2uvhkqK
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FDA has approved a SC autoinjector of Benlysta (BEL) for use in pediatric lupus nephritis & pts > 5rs of age for SLE and active LN. BEL SC dosing for Pediatric SLE: 200 mg qwk (>40 kg) or 200 mg EOW (q2wk) if 15-40 kg. https://t.co/zrskHdw9Jx https://t.co/jkqygmfJPv
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Upcoming Lupus Nephritis Pipeline
1. Gazyva (obinutuzumab) – due for FDA/EMA decision
2. Saphnelo IV (anifrolumab) – now in Phase III (new indication for LN
3. Ianalumab SC (Dual-action B-cell inhibitor) – now in Phase III https://t.co/mTInV8JXzq https://t.co/3qg1FWzZRI
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Lichenoid rash vs SCLE? JAMA Dermatology case - 60yoM w/ https://t.co/xl11CwB1AJ problems & meds has pink-red papules (central hypopigmentation) on arms, chest, back (no fungus). Bx= lichenoid dermatitis. Rash worsened, red & annular; Dx now SCLE +ANA/Ro/La) from diltiazem. SCLE
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FDA has approved a SC autoinjector of Benlysta (BEL) for use in pediatric lupus nephritis & pts > 5rs of age for SLE and active LN. BEL SC dosing for Pediatric SLE: 200 mg qwk (>40 kg) or 200 mg EOW (q2wk) if 15-40 kg. https://t.co/xrMJUgdSWv https://t.co/UJ2LZ3dU5p
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Not All About B Cells: Myeloid Related Inflammation in Lupus Pathogenesis
Dr. Andrea Fava shares his perspectives from the EULAR 2025 meeting in Barcelona, Spain.
https://t.co/8Lh02c3sy4 https://t.co/XX7wKovD9u
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