Repurposing & Pipeline (8.8.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, reports, pipeline and drug repurposing on this weeks podcast.
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Dermatomyositis Reviewed
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have published an open-access review of dermatomyositis (DM) - its manifestations, hallmark cutaneous features, etiopathogenesis and treatment options.
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Full read overview of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and their downside - immune related Adverse Events https://t.co/h1AzFaGVMz https://t.co/s75UdhE1HK
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Japans IORRA study of 10,613 RA pts (2007-21) - 915 deaths from cancer (28%), lung Dz (22%), CV Dz (16%). Protective Rx were MTX and bDMARDs, while even low-dose glucocorticoids showed increased mortality risk. https://t.co/lV5WmC5l1X https://t.co/QncyqXSRE9
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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.
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Cancer screening in RA - retrospective, matched cohort study of 1,614 RA vs 1,597 controls (mean 63 yrs); @ 5 yrs, RA had less cervical cancer screens (52% vs 58%) (aHR:0.83); but no decrease in screens for breast (aHR:0.98), prostate (aHR:0.99), or colorectal (aHR:1.04) CA https://t.co/NnxRnZcZwq
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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. https://t.co/i3FMOCbyNg
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
NEJM images: 55-year-old man with metastatic squamous-cell lung cancer Hx& 6-wk Hx firm, painful swelling RToe1 & RDIP3 w/ ulceration. Xray showed lytic lesions due to acrometastases - rare bony metastases distal to elbow or knee, that may may mimic gout or osteomyelitis https://t.co/1Fh1Cp9dm9
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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.
Clinical Associations with Anti-RNA Polymerase III Antibodies
A systematic review of anti-RNA polymerase III antibodies (ARA) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients finds ARA positivity in only 9% of SSc patients, but come with a higher risk of many potentially worrisome outcomes.
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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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Interstitial Lung Disease and Lung Cancer Risk
A large prospective cohort study found that interstitial lung disease (ILD) is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.
https://t.co/SdOT28qVfr https://t.co/6KhAijhfHw
Links:
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Interstitial Lung Disease and Lung Cancer Risk
A large prospective cohort study found that interstitial lung disease (ILD) is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.
This cohort study of 5,425,976 used a a sibling-controlled design to account for genetic factors. Data was taken from the Swedish Total Population Register
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RABBIT (German biologics register) study shows overall small increase in malignancy w/ JAKi vs bDMARDs. Risks greatest in those ≥ 60 yrs, w/ Hi Dz activity, on ≥3 prior csDMARDs. 2285 JAKi vs 4259 bDMARDs: 88 vs 135 malignancies CAs (IRs 11.6 vs 8.9; adj HR 1.40). JAKi risk https://t.co/PRn0G94CB0
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Cancer Survival Outcomes in Autoimmune Skin Disease Patients
Patients with autoimmune skin diseases (ASDs) with cancer had significantly better cancer survival outcomes than those without ASD, suggesting coexistant autoimmune or inflammatory disease does not adversely affect a https://t.co/apnX4GGAdT
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Hmmm Really? (7.11.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week - some obvious, other new thoughts and some - hmmm, reallly?
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No Increased Malignancy Risk with Ixekizumab
A pooled analysis of 25 randomized clinical trials affirms the safety of ixekizumab (IXE) when used to treat patients with psoriasis (PsO), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), or axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The observed incidences of malignant neoplasms were consistent with the US general
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Case–control study RA pts > 65yrs in US. SEER (cancer) database (2014–2019). Overall cancer risk not associated with use of JAKi (adjOR 1.04), TNFi (0.98) or other bDMARDs (0.98). But, JAKi use was assoc w/ incr risk of lung CA (OR 1.40), esp in Males (2.12) & >2 yrs JAKi. Lower https://t.co/u2psafyN1I
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Cancer Survival Outcomes in Autoimmune Skin Disease Patients
Patients with autoimmune skin diseases (ASDs) with cancer had significantly better cancer survival outcomes than those without ASD, suggesting coexistant autoimmune or inflammatory disease does not adversely affect a cancer prognosis.
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RABBIT (German biologics register) study shows overall small increase in malignancy w/ JAKi vs bDMARDs. Risks greatest in those ≥ 60 yrs, w/ Hi Dz activity, on ≥3 prior csDMARDs. 2285 JAKi vs 4259 bDMARDs: 88 vs 135 malignancies CAs (IRs 11.6 vs 8.9; adj HR 1.40). JAKi risk https://t.co/AlK2SWn6UR
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Review of 104 irAE pts rx w/ JAK inhib. (82% tofacitinib). Checkpoint inhib was for Lung (20%), gastric (17%) & melanoma (16%). JAKi indications: myocarditis (70%), myositis (33%), hepatitis (24%). JAKi potentially effective esp in irAE pts unresponsive to cytokine Rx. https://t.co/8ezpAOzpRh
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Clinical determinants of multiple drug failure in D2T RA
2000+ RA cohort 250+ refractory
-Low financial status
-Cancer Hx
-CV comorbidities
-Chronic use of NSAID or GCs
Protective: Regular participation in leisure activities
#POS0030 @RheumNow #EULAR2025 https://t.co/mdePGkHU82
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Cancer risk in rheumatoid arthritis: anything new?
There is still a question I have a hard time answering with certainty when people living with rheumatoid arthritis ask me: Is there a higher risk of cancer that comes with the disease? Or with the treatments? So many https://t.co/6rbZg5Fr2k
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Key summary slide of research in the use of CD19 CAR T cells in rheumatology indications
Dinesh Khanna @RheumNow #EULAR2025 https://t.co/CoFHqaE1L1
Antoni Chan MD (Prof) @synovialjoints( View Tweet )
Autologous CAR T cell production, administration and monitoring
Dinesh Khanna @RheumNow #EULAR2025 https://t.co/zrXjxSCRgl
Antoni Chan MD (Prof) @synovialjoints( View Tweet )
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