Fallen Angels (1.17.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from the past week on RheumNow.com; and pays homage to colleagues who passed away in 2024.
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post hoc analysis of 4 registration trials of pegloticase, show rates of MACE and Thromboembolic Events were Infrequent (<1.5%; 35.4 events/1000 PY), similar to general gout population (31.7 events/1000 person-years) https://t.co/z1QAELA3ua https://t.co/polmf9hI6I
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Medicare has announced another 15 expensive drugs (now total 25) undergoing price negotiation with manufacturers. Enbrel and Stelara were in the 1st ten. Included in the next 15 Rx are Ofev (nintenib) & Otezla (apremilast) & GLP-1 drugs. https://t.co/SBwSprvo6K… https://t.co/okJXJCgOFm https://t.co/im2ggtgvt3
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FDA has sent a Drug Safety Letter to VETERINARIANS about the use of Librela (bedinvetmab) & reported adverse reactions, deaths and neurological problems (ataxia, seizures, paresis). Rx was approved 5/23 to treat pain from osteoarthritis in dogs. https://t.co/LIZ4ZzXtmk https://t.co/uOVc2xsD5g
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Study of predominantly older males from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) data, shows the use of b/ts-DMARDs is not associated with a risk for multiple myeloma. From 27,540 RA pts, 30% took b/tsDMARD, 77 incident MM (HR1.32;95% CI 0.78, 2.26) https://t.co/KZLEfq8vRK https://t.co/7qLQISRCoC
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U.S. overdose deaths far outpace other countries. In 2023 US drug overdoses >100,000 for 3rd year — a >50% jump since 2019. 2022 rate=324/1 million. High rates attributed to fentanyl, polysubstance use, counterfeit pills, variance in state policies on harm reduction… https://t.co/IYpytkEgpt https://t.co/HrrU9SCJT1
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BACHELOR Trial - Baricitinib in Early Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Lancet reports a French study demonstrating the efficacy of baricitinib in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).
Glucocorticoids are the mainstay of therapy in PMR patients and may be problematic in older… https://t.co/svLmE6OBWm https://t.co/K8sdROswxV
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Eltrombopag, a Potential New Treatment for ITP
A pilot trial has shown a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, eltrombopag (Promacta), to be effective in connective tissue disease-related (CTD), refractory immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
https://t.co/hYSAEKOjq5 https://t.co/QzBNA3SWVo
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BACHELOR Trial - Baricitinib in Early Polymyalgia Rheumatica
Lancet reports a French study demonstrating the efficacy of baricitinib in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).
SetPoint Medical has applied to FDA for pre-market approval of Vagal nerve neuroimmune modulation device to Rx mod-severe #RA, not responding to 2 biologics. Based on RESET-RA 242 pt, 12 wk RCT showing ACR20=35% vs 24% PBO resp. SAE only 1.7%. https://t.co/d8RfXBFUSS https://t.co/Fq1qkfo1NM
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
VA (Veterans) study of 531 RA-ILD (among 9,701 incident RA) vs 68,852 matched controls - finds exposure to fire smoke PM2.5 assoc w/ RA-ILD/aOR 1.98 (but not RA). NOx, ozone, and PM10 assoc w/ seroneg. RA risk (aOR 1.16-1.25) . Pollution increases risk of RA & RA-ILD… https://t.co/AuG4rRtx4r https://t.co/XyHtjrSfhi
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Dazukibart Effective in Adults with Dermatomyositis
Lancet reports that the use of dazukibart, a selective monoclonal antibody against interferon B (IFNβ), was clinically effective in reducing disease activity in adults with active dermatomyositis (DM).
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Eltrombopag, a Potential New Treatment for ITP
A pilot trial has shown a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, eltrombopag (Promacta), to be effective in connective tissue disease-related (CTD), refractory immune thrombocytopenia (ITP).
Read Article
FDA Approves First Generic of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Victoza (liraglutide injection) to Lower Blood Sugar in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes https://t.co/1BYQFU2PsY https://t.co/jmbS9UDnhI
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
U.S. overdose deaths far outpace other countries. In 2023 US drug overdoses >100,000 for 3rd year — a >50% jump since 2019. 2022 rate=324/1 million. High rates attributed to fentanyl, polysubstance use, counterfeit pills, variance in state policies on harm reduction… https://t.co/oHtiMytdtR https://t.co/DLFPYEkdRC
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Study of 1032 adults > 50 yrs on dialysis compared denosumab vs or oral bisphosphonates. 3 yr results showed compared with oral bisphosphonates, denosumab lowered the risk for fractures by 45% and increased the risk for MACE by 36% https://t.co/aogIFBrccy https://t.co/cnlxt5OEjj
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Anti-Zoster Drug Prevents Shingles in Lupus Patients on Anifrolumab
The antiviral drug valaciclovir (Valtrex), given prophylactically, kept patients with SLE under treatment with anifrolumab (Saphnelo) from having herpes zoster attacks, researchers said, offering a potential… https://t.co/I3u8tK5EMq https://t.co/VItPWtrPUA
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Marketscan claims data study assessed fall risk in 57 086 older adult starting gabapentin vs duloxetine & found gabapentin was not associated with increase in falls. At 6-mos, gabapentin had lower risk of falls (HR 0.52; 0.43 to 0.64]. https://t.co/agrdzkxNdL https://t.co/Te981iDMZU
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Does Colchicine Lower Gout Mortality Risk?
Data from a large UK database finds that gout patients starting urate-lowering therapy (ULT) will benefit from added colchicine prophylaxis by having fewer cardiovascular events.
https://t.co/89BXT5OnVS https://t.co/N4IQzRpcPk
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Study of 1032 adults > 50 yrs on dialysis compared denosumab vs or oral bisphosphonates. 3 yr results showed compared with oral bisphosphonates, denosumab lowered the risk for fractures by 45% and increased the risk for MACE by 36% https://t.co/evaTc8Ag5Y https://t.co/wps14UddgP
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
GLP-1 Agonists Alleviate Knee Osteoarthritis
In October, the NEJM published a randomized clinical trial demonstrating the efficacy of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1ra) in patients with obesity and knee osteoarthritis.
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Anti-Zoster Drug Prevents Shingles in Lupus Patients on Anifrolumab
The antiviral drug valaciclovir (Valtrex), given prophylactically, kept patients with SLE under treatment with anifrolumab (Saphnelo) from having herpes zoster attacks, researchers said, offering a potential… https://t.co/zebERdPfzV https://t.co/MOIjbhcWSa
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Post hoc study of Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) phase 3 study w/ 588 pts rx w/ either PBO or adalimumab. 79% had elevated CRP. High CRP assoc w/ more severe HS, higher BMI (34 vs 28; P < .001), & lower odds of ADA response (OR 0.53). Activity or Obesity? https://t.co/ZQzumtW2LV https://t.co/FWaQMyP2TT
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Real world observations from 65 RA-ILD pts Rx w/ nintendinb (95% on DMARDs/Pred) in Italian GISEA registry. 12 mos retention rate = 77% & was effective ~80% in pts w/ > 6 months F/U. Side effects in 55% (mainly GI) & ~1/2 had to reduce dose. 23% D/C drug for AE.… https://t.co/aVcIYtoMK4 https://t.co/CBHxzBc9XQ
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Phase 3 Trial Results of Deucravacitinib in Psoriatic Arthritis
Bristol Myers Squibb announced recently the results from POETYK PsA-1 and POETYK PsA-2, Phase 3 trials pivotal trials of deucravacitinib (DEUC) in adults with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).… https://t.co/yKBV91dR8z https://t.co/nndnpYheNu
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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