Drug Safety

Cochrane review of TNF inhib. in #JIA shows TNFi efficacy, but uncertainty about LT safety, pain, function, & Dz control - esp compared to MTX. 9 studies, 678 JIApts, age 8-15 yrs (80% F), Dz duration 0.8-6.7 yrs. Withdrawls 1% v 3%; Serious AE 6% v 7% (PBO vs TNFi).… https://t.co/i35m5uzG1m https://t.co/VzJN9PmmMh
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Effectiveness of IL-6 Receptor Inhibitors versus Methotrexate or any Conventional Immunomodulators in Patients with Steroid Refractory Polymyalgia Rheumatica Sponsored by Sanofi https://t.co/I2T8xhS9hb https://t.co/bZcT7g6AWZ

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
TNF Inhibitor Drug-Induced Lupus A study from the FDA's adverse event reporting system (FAERS or Medwatch) database identified cases of drug induced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in patients receiving tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors - a paradoxical reaction to… https://t.co/LYq0qxDtp3 https://t.co/vRYrBAIMEA
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
CDC reports an unprecedented drop of ~24% in US drug overdose deaths (87,000 down from 114,000) in 12 mos prior to 9/24. Yet, overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-44 yrs https://t.co/REiaQx6NKd https://t.co/nzOMDgUYbS

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
The global biosimilars market size is evaluated at USD $40 billion in 2025 and is expected to hit approximately USD 176 billion by 2034 (a 17.78% increase) https://t.co/U4PbinVN4J https://t.co/SLHynlhJrs

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Cochrane review of TNF inhib. in #JIA shows TNFi efficacy, but uncertainty about LT safety, pain, function, & Dz control - esp compared to MTX. 9 studies, 678 JIApts, age 8-15 yrs (80% F), Dz duration 0.8-6.7 yrs. Withdrawls 1% v 3%; Serious AE 6% v 7% (PBO vs TNFi).… https://t.co/twmYfFg702 https://t.co/hG3j4sMPr9
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
TNF%20blockers.jpg

TNF Inhibitor Drug-Induced Lupus

Jack Cush, MD

A study from the FDA's adverse event reporting system (FAERS or Medwatch) database identified cases of drug induced systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in patients receiving tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inhibitors - a paradoxical reaction to common antiinflammatory biologic agents.

Read Article
ankle.fusion.medpage

Ankle Fusion or Total Replacement?

Jack Cush, MD

In a large study of British patients needing surgical treatment for advanced arthritis in the ankle, fusion appeared to be a better option than total ankle replacement.

Read Article
US nationwide claims data study of CV outcomes (MACE) in #RA based on b/tsDMARD (n=34375) exposures (71% TNFi, 10% JAKi, 8% ABA, 5% RTX, 5% IL-6i). Compared to TNFi, RTX (HR 1.5) & IL-6i (HR 1.3) had numerically higher, but not statistically significant, MACE risk.… https://t.co/GXunfMY3US https://t.co/XYZPt0kzGE
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Risk for Serious Infection with Low-Dose Glucocorticoids in RA https://t.co/5frAX3W7Hz https://t.co/PHeqCacxKa

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Deucravacitinib in Psoriasis - 5 Year Outcomes BMS released new five-year results from the POETYK PSO long-term extension (LTE) trial of deucravacitinib in treating patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The data was presented by Dr. Marc Lebwohl at the Winter… https://t.co/as7QR8RTyx https://t.co/yNluBPR7fO
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Three B-cell targeting anti-CD20 mAbs in clinical use: - Rituximab (1997) for RA, GPA, CLL, NHL, Pemphigus Vulgaris - Ofatumumab (2020) for relapsing MS - Obinutuzumab (2013) for Follicular lymphoma & CLL OFA & OBIN may be better than RTX in membranous GN pts w/ anti-RTX Abs… https://t.co/ZhUbXFXjSR https://t.co/vUHkS76PK7
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RheumNow Podcast square

B Cell Depleters (2.21.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

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

Read Article
Livedoid vasculopathy (LV) is a rare chronic microvascular thrombosis dz w/ hypercoagulability and inflammation. Lit Search found 15 articles, 41 LV pts Rx w/ biologics & JAK inhib. 88% w/ positive responses & pain relief. TNFi were most used, then JAK inhibitors… https://t.co/3ugGdUlYcI https://t.co/0aXRKRi5RA
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
PSO.Palmoplantar.jpg

Deucravacitinib in Psoriasis - 5 Year Outcomes

Jack Cush, MD

BMS released new five-year results from the POETYK PSO long-term extension (LTE) trial of deucravacitinib in treating patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The data was presented by Dr. Marc Lebwohl at the Winter Clinical Dermatology Conference in Hawaii

Read Article
The Cartel is Coming for Rheumatology At first glance, the pharmaceutical marketplace may not appear like a crime drug ring, but Dr. Feldman of Tulane University described how sinister forces of market manipulation have negatively impacted patient care for years.… https://t.co/nOllJFR9AQ https://t.co/IxyGaysOEe
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
February 5, 2025, the FDA granted Fast Track designation to ADI-001, an investigational allogeneic gamma delta chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy for the treatment of relapsed/refractory class III or class IV lupus nephritis, & nd SLE with extrarenal Dz… https://t.co/ywXUTKSoB2 https://t.co/Es0F63MBrk
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
T%20cell.jpg

Targeting PD-1 in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Jack Cush, MD

The results of the large Phase 2b RENOIR trial showed that rosnilimab, a monoclonal antibody targeting PD-1, was effective in moderate-to-severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

The manufacturer, Anaptys, issued a press release regarding rosnilimab, a drug being developed for use in

Read Article
SLE pts have increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Systemic inflammation & glucocorticoid exposure are significant drivers of ASCVD in SLE. Screening recommended - Framingham Risk Score, ACC/AHA risk score & others reviewed https://t.co/jJHNJOU606 https://t.co/JJxiBczMwi

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Survey on Corticosteroid (CS) use in PFAPA syndrome included 144 MDs (67% pedi-Rheums); 92% use CS in PFAPA flares. 42% expected a response w/in 12 hrs. 31% use CS ‘routinely. Med literature cites Prednisone as most preferred CS (48%). Response to CS ~ 95% https://t.co/V1wkhNaNAP https://t.co/YILAlKrUcQ

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
cost.price_.drugs_.pills_.jpg

The Cartel is Coming for Rheumatology

Eric Dein, MD

"What Do Blockbuster Drugs & The Black Market All Have in Common?" asked Dr. Madelaine Feldman at RheumNow Live 2025. They thrive, she explained, on market exclusivity "... until they don't." At first glance, the pharmaceutical marketplace may not appear like a crime drug ring, but Dr.

Read Article
That's not my problem - or is it? Multimorbidity in RA RA can look so easy on the television commercials where patients appear young, healthy, and vibrant on the advertised treatment. https://t.co/B7WUiysNSE https://t.co/nczmoIBfOb

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Kavanaugh RNL 25

Combination biologics in PsA: are we there yet?

Adela Castro, MD

Despite various and efficacious options for management of PsA there is still an unmet need for patients with inadequate responses to current therapies or difficult-to-treat disease. The role of dual biologic therapy targeting different inflammatory pathways has become an area of great interest

Read Article
RheumNow Podcast square

Valentine RNL 2025 Review (2.14.2025)

Jack Cush, MD

Dr. Jack Cush reviews highlights from RheumNow Live 2025 held in Dallas, TX on Feb. 8-9, 2025.

Read Article
Janet Pope @Janetbirdope Dispel the #myth #rheumatoid #arthritis is NOT Just a disease of Young and middle aged Elderly PREVALENT #RA Pts and 👇 INCIDENT Pts in >65yrs is skyrocketing 🚀 Need #Rx goals and equitable #Rx Uma Makris #RNL2025 https://t.co/3IsVKTSEyy

Links:

Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )

Recent Blogs

Best of 2023: New ACR RA-ILD Treatment Guidelines – What Were They Smoking!?

Richard Conway, MBBChBAO, PhD
Lungs ILD
Rheumatoid arthritis related interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) is common, with symptomatic RA-ILD affecting approximately 8% of RA patients. There is a very limited evidence base supporting treatment and therefore the recent release of ACR guidelines is to be welcomed. However, the published guidelines appear discordant with the best available evidence base.  Read Post

Advancing PMR

Eric L. Matteson, MD, MPH
Dr. Eric Matteson
Even though polymyalgia rheumatica is not perceived by many physicians as a severe diagnosis, its diagnosis and management actually propose significant challenges. I'd like to talk about those challenges, and what directions our path forward can include to advance our understanding and improve the treatment of patients who have PMR. Read Post
×