Teaching You How to Think… (8.15.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and press clippings from the past week on RheumNow. Positive results in a Sjogren's trial, to PT or not to PT, and aphorisms to live by.
Read Article
Anifrolumab appears effective & safe in refractory Cutaneous LE. OL Study of 15 CLE, on HCQ, topical steroids, failed multiple DMARDs. All Rx w/ ANIF 300 mg IV q4wks. ALL improved, CLASI-A decr from 16 to 1 (p<0.001); CLASI-D decreased from 5 to 4 (p<0.001). DBPCT needed! https://t.co/umEYz0XDyt
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Anifrolumab appears effective & safe in refractory Cutaneous LE. OL Study of 15 CLE, on HCQ, topical steroids, failed multiple DMARDs. All Rx w/ ANIF 300 mg IV q4wks. ALL improved, CLASI-A decr from 16 to 1 (p<0.001); CLASI-D decreased from 5 to 4 (p<0.001). DBPCT needed! https://t.co/zj4cYou7hz
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
The world of rheumatoid arthritis treatment has changed dramatically. What do the experts say about the evolution of biologics and DMARDs over the last 20 years?
Join us for a live webinar, moderated by Dr. Jack Cush, where we'll unpack the results of a nationwide survey.
Tues, https://t.co/o2WqAaQ2mN
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
JAKne? Study of 2183 IBD pts on JAK inhib, 272 developed acne. Crude prevalence: 16% upadacitinib, 4% tofacitinib, 2% filgotinib (dose-dependent w/ UPA & Tofa). JAKne in pts 30–50 yrs; mild-moderate severity; in 1st 3 mos. Higher risk w/ prior hx acne vulgaris (OR 4.9) https://t.co/nz8F2lBwe5
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Repurposing & Pipeline (8.8.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, reports, pipeline and drug repurposing on this week’s podcast.
https://t.co/Hx1aAdiTOy https://t.co/gwyDweXIbS
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Rheums Speak: Changing Rheumatology Practices & Choices
RheumNow surveyed clinicians worldwide on how their rheumatology practice, treatment decisions, and career outlooks have changed over the past 20 years. 242 respondents (68% from the USA) shared their perspectives on the changing landscape of rheumatoid arthritis care, practice patterns, and
Read Article
Novartis announced top line results of its ianalumab (VAY736;B cell inhibitor) in primary Sjögren’s dz. 2 RCTs, NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2, met met primary endpoints w/ statistically significant improvements in disease activity in Sjögren’s patients. https://t.co/cIBhF3YJh3 https://t.co/YRTq6LEFhm
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
FDA Approves Vagal Nerve Stimulator for RA
SetPoint Medical announced the FDA approved the SetPoint System, a neuroimmune modulation treatment for moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA), for patients not well-managed or cannot tolerate—existing RA therapies like https://t.co/MtVny1iBQ4
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Potentially novel RA vaccine of recombinant HLA-DRB1 04:01 bound to type II collagen (COL2) peptide COL2259-273 that was chemically modified at glycine position 265 & shows to suppress collagen induced arthritis in human DRB1 04:01-expressing mice https://t.co/TtBt49DQDa https://t.co/qMXzmvNc1b
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Pipeline of drugs being developed for Scleroderma by these companies - Bayer, Novartis, GSK, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene Corp., Johnson & Johnson, Prometic, Cytori arGentis - either as fusion proteins, peptides, small molecule, mAb, Polymern& Gene therapy https://t.co/dWRcQ1a3GU
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
A New RA Approval (8.1.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and a new treatment for RA from the FDA
https://t.co/hHNvdOKp2z https://t.co/lUAZM7bY7X
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
2025 BSR Recommendations for ANCA-associated Vasculitis
The British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) and British Health Professionals in Rheumatology (BHPR) have published a guideline for the management of adults with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV); specifically three conditions: granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), microscopic polyangiitis (MPA)
Read Article
CCL17 is a downstream mediator of GM-CSF. Drug repurposing review of FDA approved Rx shows 5 Rx w/ anti-CCL17 effects - fluoxetine, ractopamine, ponesimod, terbutaline & etravirine, w/ inhibition of STAT5, IRF4 & CCL17 & shows antiinflamm effects in RA animal model https://t.co/2aTyZMWPJn
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Rheums Speak - RA Treatment Survey
RheumNow's August 2025 “Live Vote” surveys examine Rheumatologist impressions, knowledge and practices over the last 20 years when treating rheumatoid arthritis.
The first survey on RA Treatment (7/28/2025) sheds light on evolving prescribing habits, use of biologics, and key frustrations in RA
A New RA Approval (8.1.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and a new treatment for RA from the FDA.
Read Article
FDA is evaluating the safety of Vyvgart Hytrulo, ((efgartigimod) used to treat AChR Ab positive generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG). But in clinical trials there are reports of "severe worsening of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP)” https://t.co/KN7ZZ2LWPW
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
FDA Approves Vagal Nerve Stimulator for RA
SetPoint Medical announced that the FDA has approved the company’s SetPoint System, a first-in-class neuroimmune modulation innovation for treatment of moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for those who are not adequately managed by—or cannot tolerate—existing advanced RA therapies, such
Read Article
Rituximab is not Superior in EGPA
A cohort study of Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (EGPA) patients from the French Vasculitis Study Group failed to show superiority of rituximab compared to conventional strategy with glucocorticoids (GS) alone or in combination with cyclophosphamide.
Read Article
Factors Affecting Biologic Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis
A San Francisco Rheumatoid Arthritis Panel cohort survey between 1999–2011, showed numerous sociodemographic, disease, and health characteristics that influenced the initiation of treatment with biologic agents for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Emapalumab Approved for MAS in Still’s
On June 27th, 2025, the FDA approved emapalumab for macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) in known or suspected Still’s disease (including both adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA)) with https://t.co/431PQlzBsV
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
TNFi are relatively contraindicated in RA pts w/ #MS. Literature review suggests for pts w/ MS and RA, teriflunomide and anti-CD20 therapies are the most suitable, and Cladribine may also be considered https://t.co/gIVaJ7Kwn0 https://t.co/1ar0q2OnzB
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
CKD & Osteoporosis Rx Revisited (7.25.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal and FDA updates from this past week on RheumNow.com.
Read Article
FDA has accepted BLA for BAT2506, a biosimilar of Simponi (golimumab) for all approved doses, formulations, & indications of reference product, with a request for interchangeability (BsUFA: May 16, 2026) https://t.co/kVFAz9ltlr https://t.co/LqdzsXlqER
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Emapalumab Approved for MAS in Still’s
On June 27th, 2025, the FDA approved emapalumab for macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) in known or suspected Still’s disease (including both adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) and systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA)) with inadequate response or intolerance to glucocorticoids.
Read ArticleRecent Blogs
