ANA Pollution (2.06.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal articles and regulatory news from this past week on RheumNow.com
Read Article
Air pollution ups ANA+: Ontariio Canadi study of 3548 serum samples (2010-13) corrlated particulate matter (PM2.5) w/ serologies. Highest vs lowest quartile PM2.5 showed higher risk of ANA ≥1:640 (OR 1.46) & ≥1:1280 (OR 1.54). Pollution has systemic immune effects! https://t.co/iyC68qh49R
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Giant Cell Arteritis Outcomes in Canada
A retrospective cohort study of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) demonstrates relapses are common and seen in nearly half of patients, were common after treatment is stopped and is not effectively averted by methotrexate (MTX). https://t.co/7hIpn6CJXg
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
FDA sent a complete response letter to AstraZeneca on their application (BLA) for anifrolumabs (Saphnelo) subcutaneous use in SLE. Despite a positive TULIP-SC trial & EU approval of SC-anifrolumab, FDA & sponsor still have to work things out. CRL reasons are unknown https://t.co/3dNwEyolrj
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
FDA vs. Amgen: At Odds Over Avacopan
MedPage Today
The FDA has requested that Amgen voluntarily withdraw avacopan (Tavneos), a treatment for anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis, but the company said it has no plans to pull the drug from the market.
Originally developed by ChemoCentryx, the oral
Read Article
SMILE enrollment hampered by COVID - yet failed to show a protective effect for HCQ in preventing SLE. Can you Prevent SLE? Dr. David Karp lecturing at UTSW @drdavidkarp @utswrheum https://t.co/GImHpycbgO
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Methotrexate intolerance in rheumatoid arthritis
A current large rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohort study from Cairo assessed methotrexate (MTX) use and found over half were MTX intolerant and a third of patients were noncompliant with MTX.
https://t.co/PDUv2YRFIq https://t.co/2DuBXjNqec
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
ALTO: Long-Term Abatacept Outcomes in At-Risk RA
Lancet Rheumatology has published the ALTO results - long term outcomes of the APIPPRA trial, demonstrating that treatment with abatacept (ABA) in at risk patients can delay progression to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for up to 4 years.
Read Article
Giant Cell Arteritis Outcomes in Canada
A retrospective cohort study of patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) demonstrates relapses are common and seen in nearly half of patients, were common after treatment is stopped and is not effectively averted by methotrexate (MTX).
Read Article
Long term outcomes study of 22 pts w/ adult Stills. 16 (72.7%) completed LTE w/ mean observation 168.9 wks. 3/22 had serious adverse events, Tx efficacy ACR70=68% and 95% reduced in glucocorticoid doses w/ 41% in GC-free remission https://t.co/h0MvDLWGhD https://t.co/HDIKF7VMwA
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Aortitis in Giant Cell Arteritis Treated with Tocilizumab
The Tocilizumab in Giant Cell Arteritis Spanish Collaborative Group studied giant cell arteritis (GCA) with aortitis, comparing the efficacy of intravenous (IV) vs. subcutaneously (SC) tocilizumab (TCZ) - demonstrating https://t.co/GPt7sTzbpH
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Retractions in Rheumatology
Retractions in rheumatology are rising. An analysis of Retraction Watch data found 381 retracted articles (1989–2024), driven by misconduct or data errors. 68.5% originated in Asia, over half from China (50.7%).
https://t.co/I6WmceNi2m https://t.co/6z0jHPaiaR
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Which Fibromyalgia Drugs are Cost-Effective?
A cost-effectiveness analysis compared FDA approved fibromyalgia drugs (pregabalin, duloxetine, milnacipran) with amitriptyline and found duloxetine was the preferred strategy across perspectives.
Read Article
SGLT2 Inhibitors in Gout - Better Outcomes, Fewer Meds
EurekAlert!
Natalie McCormick, PhD, of the Rheumatology and Allergy Clinical Epidemiology Research (RACER) Center within the Division of Rheumatology in the Mass General Brigham Department of
Read Article
Air pollution ups ANA+: Ontariio Canadi study of 3548 serum samples (2010-13) corrlated particulate matter (PM2.5) w/ serologies. Highest vs lowest quartile PM2.5 showed higher risk of ANA ≥1:640 (OR 1.46) & ≥1:1280 (OR 1.54). Pollution has systemic immune effects! https://t.co/fJrhypNE2A
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
The EMA CHMP has started a review of oral complement C5 inhibitor avacopan (Tavneos) based on serious questions about amendments to the data from the pivotal ADVOCATE study. The drug was approved in 2021 for use in GPA & MPA. https://t.co/a5ggUqk1dG
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Methotrexate intolerance in rheumatoid arthritis
A current large rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cohort study from Cairo assessed methotrexate (MTX) use and found over half were MTX intolerant and a third of patients were noncompliant with MTX.
Read Article
RheumNow Live Preview (1.30.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from RheumNow.com - and the top 5 reasons to attend RheumNow Live 2026, which is one week away.
Read Article
Aortitis in Giant Cell Arteritis Treated with Tocilizumab
The The Tocilizumab in Giant Cell Arteritis Spanish Collaborative Group studied giant cell arteritis with aortitis, comparing the efficacy of intravenous vs. subcutaneously (SC) tocilizumab (TCZ) - demonstrating the superiority of SC TCZ.
Read Article
Electronic EHR reminders to deprescribe works! EHR study of 1146 pts(mean 74 yrs) showed 2 methods of E-reminder notifications resulted in either a 10.4% or 6.5% deprescribing (vs usual care); deprescribing was 40% more likely (RR 1.40; 95% CI, 1.14-1.73) https://t.co/sXnW5gUP0q https://t.co/n9LhUG612M
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Retractions in Rheumatology
Retraction of rheumatology studies is not uncommon; a recent analysis shows retractions have risen substantially.
Read Article
Japanese nationwide survey of 1943 RMD pts taking Azathioprine (AZA) 34% had adverse events: hepatobiliary (149%), GI (10%), blood/lymphatic (9%), infections (5%), & skin (2.4%). AEs lead to 71% D/C AZA. Serious AEs (Gr ≥3) higher w/ older (OR 2.5), & SLE (OR 2.3) https://t.co/lVNYVQATfx
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
IXCHIQ - a live-attenuated chikungunya virus vaccine: 10-30% have mild-moderate adverse effects, w/ headache, fatigue, & myalgia. <3% have severe AEs. Rare reports of encephalitis in elderly post Ixchiq, due to type I IFN-neutralizing autoantibodies (same w/ yellow-fever Vax) https://t.co/3VlZCd4sGc
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
TOPKAT Trial: Partial vs Total Knee Replacement
MedPage Today
Patients with osteoarthritis (OA) primarily affecting only one knee joint compartment did just as well with partial knee replacement (PKR) as with total arthroplasty after 10 years in a randomized trial -- and maybe a little bit better.
Read Article
DMARD Responses in Localized Scleroderma
JAMA Dermatology has published the results of a juvenile localized scleroderma (JLS) trial showing that mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and methotrexate (MTX) are equally effective in treating JLS, noting low flare rates and possibly better tolerability with MMF.
Read ArticleRecent Blogs
Daily Download
Topic Videos
Rx Updates (filtered for Topic)
Therapeutic Updates
The Impact of Obesity on Psoriatic Arthritis
Sponsored by Lilly Medical Affairs
Obesity is common in PsA and may worsen disease activity and reduce treatment effectiveness through shared inflammatory pathways. Weight intervention may improve outcomes and support achievement of targets of disease control.
Read Post