UBER Rheumatology Ride (3.6.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this week on RheumNow.com
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Open-label experience with upadacitinib in 27 Behcets pts (median 36 yrs) w/ median BDCAF 4 (2–7). At 6 mos overall response seen in 23/27 (85%) (16 CRs, 7 PRs) w/ signif reductions in BDCAF, CRP, ESR, & steroid dose by week 24. 3 pts relapsed during F/U https://t.co/VXkskVyWgT
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Osteoporosis: Thinking outside the box
As rheumatologists, most of us manage osteoporosis in some form every single day. We have newer agents, newer sequencing strategies, and an increasing number of patients asking for “less medicinal” options that go beyond a prescription. At RWCS, Dr. Gina Woods opened her talk by reframing
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FDA has granted Fast Track designation to J&Js nipocalimab for use in #SLE based on the results of a Phase 2b JASMINE study in which nipocalimab demonstrated reduction in lupus disease activity and potential for steroid sparing https://t.co/puQN6ecScj https://t.co/au422eamLR
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
DERM on RheumNow PODCAST (February 2026)
The Derm on RheumNow podcast is a collection of Citations and Content curated for dermatologists – addressing Psoriasis, PsA, CLE, vasculitis, HS, and other CTD skin disorders. dermatology drugs, biologics, JAKs - their use, efficacy, https://t.co/1BPvxJrp7b
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
IL-23i fails in GCA? Small RCT of 53 GCA pts (age 71 yrs; 60% new; 40% relapsing GCA) 35 given Guselkumab vs 18 on PBO. Wk 28 GC free remission in 40% vs 33% (P .64), also w/ similar flare rates (31% v 39%). results didnt supportguselkumab use in GCA. https://t.co/AMTmiDBc94 https://t.co/KdWTX9K2Bo
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
B cell Targeted CAR-T Therapy for Autoimmune Diseases
EurekAlert!
Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy has emerged as a transformative approach in modern medicine, demonstrating remarkable efficacy in targeting pathogenic B-cell lineages with unprecedented specificity. Originally developed for B cell malignancies, this innovative immunotherapy
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Progress in GCA and Takayasu's Arteritis
I recently attended a fascinating lecture by Dr. Anisha Dua on progress in the diagnosis and treatment of large-vessel vasculitis, with a focus on giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu's arteritis. She opened with what felt like the most honest “state of the union” slide you can show a room
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Systematic Review of Targeted Rx for Systemic Sclerosis: from 32 RCTs & 2036 pts Rx w/ 23 targeted agents. Guselkumab had greatest effect on mRSS, followed by tofacitinib, inebilizumab, & baricitinib. For FVC, B-cell Rx (belimumab, RTX) had highest efficacy https://t.co/cXTQ2TWyHZ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
SATISFACTION (2.27.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com.
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A month ago the FDA Granted Breakthrough Designation to Ianalumab for Sjögren Disease . The drug targets BAFF and depletes B cells. Two recent positive RCTs (NEPTUNUS-1, NEPTUNUS-2). Novartis expects a regulatory decision in early 2026 https://t.co/PXVjGG1Cmd https://t.co/0s5livw1bg
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
FDA has approved tocilizumab-anoh (Avtozma; Celltrion), a biosimilar to Actemra, for intravenous and subcutaneous use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), giant cell arteritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and COVID-19. https://t.co/qw7SJ7ZCK9
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Sonelokimab (SLK) is a nanobody that inhibits IL-17A & IL-17F. Press release from Moonlake shows SLK was effective in the phase 2, S-OLARIS study of 26 axial spondyloarthritis pts where 80+% of patients achieved ASAS40 by Week 12 https://t.co/BQjBcvESfe https://t.co/tXRKj8CPbz
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Early vs Delayed Belimumab in Lupus
An economic evaluation of early vs delayed use of the Blys inhibitor, belimumab (BEL), in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has shown both cost effectiveness and clinical utility of early BEL initiation in active lupus patients.
While most would advocate for using your best therapy
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RT @RichardPAConway
UIP pattern RA-ILD is where the big problem is. We are less good at treating this. Perhaps the newer agents such as nerandomilast will change this? #RNL26 https://t.co/lzKFulaomD
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Diagnosing and Managing GCA and Takayasu’s Arteritis
Giant-cell arteritis and Takayasu’s arteritis are both large-vessel vasculitides, but each brings its own diagnostic and management challenges. Many of the difficulties overlap because they are rare, heterogeneous, and lack perfect diagnostic tests or specific biomarkers.
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Early: BITE compassionate use CD19×CD3 T cell engager blinatumomab in 5 antisynthetase myositis & BCMA×CD3 teclistamab in 5 scleroderma pts, all Tx refractory. Both showed rapid clinical, serologic, histologic benefits, with cytokine release syndr as AE of concern https://t.co/CTppiWim0a
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
A Modern Approach to Osteoporosis Management
Currently, fewer than half of patients diagnosed with osteoporosis receive appropriate pharmacologic therapy. This treatment gap reflects several challenges in osteoporosis management, including limited disease awareness, barriers to medication access, clinician discomfort with therapy selection
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Together PSO Trial - Combination Ixekizumab and Tirzepatide
Today Lilly announced top line results of the TOGETHER-PsO open-label, Phase 3b trial demonstrating the significant benefits of concomitant ixekizumab (IXE: an IL-17A inhibitor) and tirzepatide (TIR: GLP-1agonist) over IXE alone.
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RT @richardPAConway
The new kid on the block in RA-ILD (and other PPF). Nerandomilast, an anti-fibrotic with additional anti-inflammatory/immunomodulating functions. Demonstrated significant mortality benefit in ILD. #RNL26 https://t.co/8DU3WyPQGy
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Genentech announced results of Phase III, MAJESTY OL study of obinutuzumab vs tacrolimus in 142 pts w/ primary membranous nephropathy & found signif more complete remissions at 2 yrs in obintuzumab Rx pts. Obintuzumab (Gazyva) if FDA approved for lupus nephritis. https://t.co/maJbvUCkBe
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RT @RichardPAConway
UIP pattern RA-ILD is where the big problem is. We are less good at treating this. Perhaps the newer agents such as nerandomilast will change this? #RNL26 https://t.co/Z0BXxyNrCI
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Disease Modification, Disparities and the Next Therapeutic Frontier in Gout
Gout management has entered what Dr. Robert Terkeltaub MD from UC San Diego described as its “disease-modifying era,” during his talk at RheumNow Live 2026. In a recent comprehensive review of the past, present, and future of gout therapy, the central message was clear: “We can really apply
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Obesity, Surgery, and Optimizing Patient Care
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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Vasculitis
Sunday’s vasculitis session at RNL26 was a fantastic update on inflamed blood vessels, large and small, by two experts in the field: rheumatologist Dr. Mike Putman and dermatopathologist Dr. Clay Cockerell.
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Nearly 25 years ago, while lecturing on best therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), I loudly stated that hydroxychloroquine was “useless” and, deservedly, I was “boo-ed” off stage. My point then was that rheumatologists needed to be aggressive, if not overly aggressive, in treating all RA patients. And my view was that HCQ was representative of under-treatment. I have reconsidered the use of HCQ in RA substantially in the last few years, based on its merit.
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Rheumatoid arthritis related interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is common, with symptomatic RA-ILD affecting approximately 8% of RA patients. There is a very limited evidence base supporting treatment and therefore the recent release of ACR guidelines is to be welcomed. However, the published guidelines appear discordant with the best available evidence base.
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Podcasts
ACR 2025 Daily Podcasts Day3b
ACR 2025 SpA Topic Podcasts Compilation 1
ACR 2025 CAR-T Topic Podcasts Compilation 1
