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Drug Safety

Hydroxychloroquine Lowers SLE and RA Hospitalizations A population-based study from British Columbia, Canada, shows that antimalarial adherence was associated with a lower risk of hospital admission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus https://t.co/vsJDOh09ji
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Observational study of 42 Mexican lupus nephritis pts on Immunosuppressives + Calcineurin Inhibitors (CNIs) @ 12 mos complete & partial responses seen in 26% & 36%, w/ signif reduction in proteinuria (2.89 vs 0.72 g/d, p < .001), & transient decrease in eGFR at 12 mo (109 vs 114) https://t.co/Het4GKaTmv
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
IL-23i fails in GCA? Small RCT of 53 GCA pts (age 71 yrs; 60% new; 40% relapsing GCA) 35 given Guselkumab vs 18 on PBO. Wk 28 GC free remission in 40% vs 33% (P .64), also w/ similar flare rates (31% v 39%). results didnt supportguselkumab use in GCA. https://t.co/AMTmiDBc94 https://t.co/4AQe8HbwQp
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Diacerin, an IL-1β blocker, compared to placebo in a 262 pt RCT of knee pain, Knee #OA w/ inflammation. After 24 wks, 88% completed the trial & (vs PBO) diacerein did not improve knee pain (−19.9 vs −18.6 mm). 42% had AE/ GI Sxs were more w/ diacerein (42% vs 25% PBO https://t.co/P2d6IhFw2I
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

The Role of Calcineurin Inhibitors in Lupus Nephritis

In the U.S, lupus nephritis affects approximately 40–50% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, contributing significantly to the morbidity and mortality of the affected individuals. However, significant differences in clinical approaches to lupus nephritis management still persist.

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Osteoporosis: Thinking outside the box

As rheumatologists, most of us manage osteoporosis in some form every single day. We have newer agents, newer sequencing strategies, and an increasing number of patients asking for “less medicinal” options that go beyond a prescription. At RWCS, Dr. Gina Woods opened her talk by reframing

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Hydroxychloroquine Lowers SLE and RA Hospitalizations A population-based study from British Columbia, Canada, shows that antimalarial adherence was associated with a lower risk of hospital admission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus https://t.co/YR8Zfw8pL6
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
FDA has granted Fast Track designation to J&Js nipocalimab for use in #SLE based on the results of a Phase 2b JASMINE study in which nipocalimab demonstrated reduction in lupus disease activity and potential for steroid sparing https://t.co/puQN6ecScj https://t.co/au422eamLR
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Progress in GCA and Takayasu's Arteritis Despite carefully planned taper schedules, about 75% of GCA patients remain on glucocorticoids after 4 years, and 74% experience side effects. In rheumatology, prolonged steroid use often leads to expected toxicity. https://t.co/l65ER5rGU8
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Observational study of 42 Mexican lupus nephritis pts on Immunosuppressives + Calcineurin Inhibitors (CNIs) @ 12 mos complete & partial responses seen in 26% & 36%, w/ signif reduction in proteinuria (2.89 vs 0.72 g/d, p < .001), & transient decrease in eGFR at 12 mo (109 vs 114) https://t.co/G70POtJwhS
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Treat-to-Target and Cardiovascular Benefits in Gout

A new user cohort study of 109 504 gout patients, achieving a serum urate level less than 6 mg/dL, was associated with a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular events.

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IL-23i fails in GCA? Small RCT of 53 GCA pts (age 71 yrs; 60% new; 40% relapsing GCA) 35 given Guselkumab vs 18 on PBO. Wk 28 GC free remission in 40% vs 33% (P .64), also w/ similar flare rates (31% v 39%). results didnt supportguselkumab use in GCA. https://t.co/AMTmiDBc94 https://t.co/KdWTX9K2Bo
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Diacerin, an IL-1β blocker, compared to placebo in a 262 pt RCT of knee pain, Knee #OA w/ inflammation. After 24 wks, 88% completed the trial & (vs PBO) diacerein did not improve knee pain (−19.9 vs −18.6 mm). 42% had AE/ GI Sxs were more w/ diacerein (42% vs 25% PBO https://t.co/QabS3xLN85
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
CDC study of Death certificate data showed that btw 2018–2023, there were 14,936 #SLE deaths (43% w/ SLE as the underlying cause). Mortality rate per million: females 5.97 > males 1.16, blacks 10.7. Causes of death:heart disease (0.93), cancer (0.56), COVID-19 (0.51). https://t.co/qTe6O66wRO
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

B cell Targeted CAR-T Therapy for Autoimmune Diseases

EurekAlert!

Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy has emerged as a transformative approach in modern medicine, demonstrating remarkable efficacy in targeting pathogenic B-cell lineages with unprecedented specificity. Originally developed for B cell malignancies, this innovative immunotherapy

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Hydroxychloroquine Lowers SLE and RA Hospitalizations

A population based study from British Columbia, Canada, shows that antimalarial adherence was associated with a lower risk of hospital admission in patients with rheumatoid

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Progress in GCA and Takayasu's Arteritis

I recently attended a fascinating lecture by Dr. Anisha Dua on progress in the diagnosis and treatment of large-vessel vasculitis, with a focus on giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu's arteritis. She opened with what felt like the most honest “state of the union” slide you can show a room

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Full read review of JAK inhibitors. JAK inhibitors have a reasonably rapid onset of action and a short half-life, which facilitates management of any adverse effects. The half-life of Tofacitinib, Baricitinib & Upadacitinib is 3 hrs, 13 hrs. & 9-14hrs. https://t.co/C9t2SQ3Juq
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Early vs Delayed Belimumab in Lupus An economic evaluation of early vs delayed use of the Blys inhibitor, belimumab (BEL), in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has shown both cost-effectiveness and clinical utility of early BEL initiation in active lupus patients. https://t.co/7unHZhR6Dd
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

SATISFACTION (2.27.2026)

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

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FDA has approved tocilizumab-anoh (Avtozma; Celltrion), a biosimilar to Actemra, for intravenous and subcutaneous use in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), giant cell arteritis, polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis, systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and COVID-19. https://t.co/qw7SJ7ZCK9
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Taiwan National retrospective study (2001-20) of 8732 newly Dx, biologic-naïve RA pts initiating b/tsDMARDs. Found no difference in malignancy event rates between DMARDs. 2.16% over 5-yr & 2.89% over 18yrs. (6384 Rx w/ TNFis, 667 w/ TCZ, 656 w/ ABA, 1025 on tsDMARDs) https://t.co/54ZMPywEYI
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
UK Retrospective analysis of 2 RA cohorts, 2,701 pts (F/U 6 yrs) = 101 (3.7%) Dx with ILD. (12 @ baseline, 46 w/ F/U, 43 @ death). ILD Dx signif. assoc w/ onset age (aOR 1.03), seropositivity (aOR 2.58), ever smoking (aOR 1.7). https://t.co/Zvkb1Wjpa4 https://t.co/YMkWDc3rMr
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Danish DERMBIO registry of psoriasis pts Rx w/ biologics. Among 3790 bionaive pts ustekinumab had best 1-5 yr survival vs (ADA & SEC). In 3403 bioexperienced pts, bimekizumab, guselkumab, & risankizumab had highest 2-year drug survival rate. https://t.co/TInyLPMYkb https://t.co/UTPqa9erPU
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary is seeking to make more drugs available without a prescription; and has stated “everything should be over-the-counter” unless the drug is addictive, unsafe, or requires monitoring. https://t.co/CGurlOWO8m https://t.co/bFwkpZ3kbn
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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