Biologics

Shingles Risk with JAK Inhibitors and Other Biologics

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Registry data suggests an increased risk of herpes zoster (HZ, shingles) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients taking JAK inhibitors (JAKi) but also with other biologic DMARDs, compared to csDMARDs.

RA patients from the German RABBIT register were prospectively enrolled (2007 - 2020)

No Cancer Risk with TNF Inhibitors in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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The ARTIS Study Group has published their analysis of (non-skin) cancer risk in rheumatoid arthritis, claiming the overall safety of biologic DMARDs and targeted synthetic DMARDs (tsDMARDs).

Combo Methotrexate and Leflunomide Safety in RA

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Methotrexate and leflunomide (LEF) are the most widely prescribed DMARDs worldwide; yet biologic DMARDs are the newest and best selling agents for rheumatoid arthritis worldwide. A recent study of combination therapy with MTX and LEF underscores the efficacy and safety of this approach and

Cardiovascular Prevention Lacking in Rheumatoid Arthritis

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An increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in rheumatoid arthritis is well known and feared but an RA cohort study suggests that preventive medication use in RA patients lags behind that seen in diabetes mellitus (DM).

DMARD Effects on COVID-19 Outcomes

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Sparks and colleagues have published data from the Global Rheumatology Alliance noting that among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients afflicted with COVID-19 infection, there was little influence of their baseline biologic or targeted synthetic (b/ts) disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (

Tofacitinib Efficacy in Ankylosing Spondylitis

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Deodhar and colleagues have published the results of a study showing that in adult patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS), oral tofacitinib was effective (versus placebo) and is safe. 

New-Onset IBD and IL-17 Inhibitors: What Is the Risk?

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Patients with inflammatory/autoimmune diseases who initiated treatment with interleukin (IL)-17 inhibitors did not have a higher risk for the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but only after taking into account the severity of their underlying disease, French investigators

FDA Approves IVIG in Dermatomyositis

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Octagam 10% [Immune Globulin Intravenous (Human)], as the first and only intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) formulation to be approved for adult dermatomyositis (DM).

The manufacturer, Octapharma USA, received

Canakinumab Fails to Improve COVID-19 Survival

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JAMA has published the findings of trial wherein the anti–interleukin-1β antibody canakinumab (CAN) failed to improve survival in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19.

Other studies have suggested that the use of IL-1 inhibitors (anakinra) may improve COVID outcomes,

ACR/Vasculitis Foundation Guideline for Giant Cell Arteritis and Takayasu Arteritis

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The ACR and the Vasculitis Foundation have published their evidence-based recommendations and expert guidance for the management of GCA and Takayasu arteritis. These recommendations address a variety of clinical questions and scenarios including diagnostic testing, imaging, treatments, and

RheumNow Podcast – What Not to Do (7.16.2021)

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.

ACR/Vasculitis Foundation 2021 Guidelines for ANCA–Associated Vasculitis

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Chung et al have published the 2021 treatment guielines for the management of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–associated vasculitis, including granulomatosis with polyangiitis, microscopic polyangiitis, and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. These guidelines are put forth by the

ICYMI: RheumNow Podcast – Tofacitinib Safety Concerns

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Dr. Jack Cush reviews and discusses the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com.

ICYMI: 2020 Rheumatology Year in Review

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2020 was historic, memorable and game-changing. Under the cloud of COVID-19, there were many significant and memorable advances and setbacks for the rheumatology world. In our accounting of most read articles for 2020, (not surprisingly) 17/20 were COVID-related. Below, are our top news items

ICYMI: Psoriatic Disease Management - RNL 2021 Highlights

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This year’s coverage of psoriatic arthritis was once again, both exciting and informative. Topics included an overview of the latest therapeutic options, an excellent discussion on psoriasis specifically, and the epidemiology of psoriatic arthritis. 

ICYMI: New GRAPPA 2021 PsO and PsA Treatment Recommendations

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The evidence-based recommendations from the Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis were presented at #EULAR2021. The goal (as per 2009 recommendations) was “To develop recommendations, based upon the best scientific evidence, for the optimal treatment of patients

ICYMI: Actemra FDA Approved for Systemic Sclerosis Interstitial Lung Disease

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Genentech announced Thursday that the US Food and Drug Administration approved tocilizumab (Actemra) for the treatment of Systemic Sclerosis-associated Interstitial Lung Disease (SSc-ILD), specifically indicated for slowing the rate of decline in pulmonary function in adults SSc-ILD.

ICYMI: Cardiac and Cancer Signals Tofacitinib Safety Alert from FDA

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The FDA has notified healthcare professionals of a safety alert concerning tofacitinib (Xeljanz), noting that preliminary results from a long-term safety clinical trial show an increased risk of serious heart-related problems and cancer with tofacitinib (compared to adalimumab) when given to at-

ICYMI: JAK Inhibitor Misses Endpoint in Safety Study. Now What?

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Pfizer announced results Wednesday from its FDA-mandated postmarketing safety study of tofacitinib (Xeljanz), and they don't bode well for the drug and possibly others in its class.

Compared with patients taking tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, those assigned to tofacitinib (5