Novel Rx

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
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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

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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Rheums Speak: Changing Rheumatology Practices & Choices

Jack Cush, MD

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

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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

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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
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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

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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
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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

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2025 BSR Recommendations for ANCA-associated Vasculitis

Jack Cush, MD

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)

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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
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Rheums Speak - RA Treatment Survey

Jack Cush, MD

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

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A New RA Approval (8.1.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and a new treatment for RA from the FDA.

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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 )
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FDA Approves Vagal Nerve Stimulator for RA

Jack Cush, MD

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

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Rituximab is not Superior in EGPA

Jack Cush, MD

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.

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Factors Affecting Biologic Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Jack Cush, MD

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).

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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
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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

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CKD & Osteoporosis Rx Revisited (7.25.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

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

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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

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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Emapalumab Approved for MAS in Still’s

Susan Shenoi, MD, MS

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.

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Zasocitinib (Tyk2 Inhibitor) Efficacy in Psoriatic Arthritis A highly selective, tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor zasocitinib (TAK-279), was studied in a phase 2b trial and found to be effective and safe patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA). https://t.co/HB0eVLLAh6 https://t.co/5Kqopaw6wL

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BMS announced today that the FDA has accepted for review the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Sotyktu (deucravacitinib) for the treatment of adult active psoriatic arthritis. The FDA decision (PDUFA) date is March 6, 2026. https://t.co/yMxkUP5FAw https://t.co/2teEUbWFem

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GALAXI-2 and GALAXI-3 published showing the efficacy of IL-23 inhibitor, Guselkumab in a 48 week study in adults with moderately to severely active Crohn's disease. https://t.co/pWolec25cX https://t.co/e2fdcMxEro

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Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Recent Blogs

Hydroxychloroquine for Everyone

Jack Cush, MD
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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. Read Post

Best of 2023: New ACR RA-ILD Treatment Guidelines – What Were They Smoking!?

Richard Conway, MBBChBAO, PhD
Lungs ILD
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.  Read Post
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