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Immunology

A Pilot Trial of Anifrolumab in Discoid Lupus

Mar 15, 2023

A research report in JAMA Dermatology describes the use of the type 1 interferon receptor inhibitor anifrolumab in patients with chronic discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). 

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Itaconate - A Potential New Immunosuppressive

EurekAlert!
Mar 15, 2023

Researchers have revealed the modulatory effect of the anti-inflammatory metabolite itaconate (ITA) on T helper and T regulatory cells, which may lead to new therapeutic approaches to treating some autoimmune diseases.

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Patient reported outcomes from a Randomized Controlled Phase 3 Trial of Sarilumab in Polymyalgia Rheumatica

Sponsored by Sanofi
Mar 09, 2023

The poster reports the patient reported outcomes from the SAPHYR study. Patients treated with sarilumab 200mg Q2W + 14-week GC had clinically meaningful and robust improvement in patient reported outcomes compared to patients receiving placebo + 52-week GC.

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NSAIDs in Pregnancy (3.3.2023)

Mar 03, 2023

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the lastest journal articles, news, and FDA announcements from the past week on RheumNow.  This week, the importance of IFNa, Subclinical PsA and NSAID safety during Pregnancy.




  1. Study of 87 pts with isolated Nail Psoriasis noted that 11% went on to have

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VEGA - The Efficacy of Combination Biologics in Ulcerative Colitis

Mar 02, 2023

A novel trial has shown that combination biologic therapy (guselkumab plus golimumab) to be more effective in ulcerative colitis than either biologic alone.

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Periodontal Mucosal Breaks Trigger RA Disease Activity

Feb 23, 2023

Periodontal disease (PD) is more common in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), especially those with anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs).  RA activity has been linked to the severity of PD and mucosal inflammation.



Researchers from Standfod have suggested a prominent role for PD in

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Specific ACPAs and Autoantibodies Lead to RA-Associated ILD

Feb 20, 2023

A BRASS registry study shows that specific isotypes of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) can be associated with incident rheumatoid arthritis-associated ILD (RA-ILD). Early idtentification of RA-ILD is extremely important as it is a major contributor to premature death among

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Half the Experts are Wrong (2.17.2023)

Feb 17, 2023

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and tries to stump the expert panel this week on the podcast.

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Gingival Inflammation Parallels Saliva “Cytokine Score”

Feb 16, 2023

Researchers at NYU College of Dentistry have developed a single score to describe the level of cytokines in the saliva, and this score is linked with the severity of clinical gum inflammation, according to a

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New Laboratory Insights for the ANA+ Consult

Feb 15, 2023

A new study suggests that use of ELISA assays for CXCL-10 and IFN-α can predict which ANA+ individuals may progress to developing a systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease (SARD).



Assays for cytokines (serum IFN-α or selected IFN-induced cytokines) were performed by nanoString, ELISA or

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New Guideline: Vaccinations OK With Few Tweaks for Rheum Patients Nearly all available vaccines can be given to people with rheumatologic diseases, according to a new, detailed guideline from the ACR. https://t.co/514mIylgzj https://t.co/9Zq9pGcujV

Coffee with milk may have an anti-inflammatory effect

EurekAlert!
Jan 30, 2023

Can something as simple as a cup of coffee with milk have an anti-inflammatory effect in humans? Apparently so, according to a new study from the University of Copenhagen. A combination of proteins and antioxidants doubles the anti-inflammatory properties.

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Pathogenic Impact of microRNA Cotargeting in Lupus

EurekAlert!
Jan 27, 2023

A group of researchers from the Graduate School of Medicine at Nagoya University in Japan have discovered the impact of microRNA (miRNA) on inflammation in lupus in mice. They identified two miRNAs that are downregulated in the disease and an uncommon situation that occurs in which multiple

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Simon Says “Don’t Do This” (1.27.2022)

Jan 27, 2023

Dr. Jack Cush reviews this week’s journal articles, focuses on studies that should not have been done and responds to viewer questions in Ask Cush Anything.




  1. "Dry Synovitis" exist in juvenile arthritis pts? Study of 12 DS pts, says its different from Poly #JIA; onset 6.1 yrs

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VEXAS may be more common than expected

Jan 25, 2023

A great study of a recently described rheumatologic/hematologic disorder VEXAS (vacuoles, E1-ubiquitin-activating enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic) syndrome recently appeared in JAMA, describing the frequency and presentations of UBA1 variant. 

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New Guideline: Vaccinations OK With Few Tweaks for Rheum Patients

Jan 17, 2023

Nearly all available vaccines can be given to people with rheumatologic diseases, according to a new, detailed guideline from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), though the timing for their administration and dosing of antirheumatic drugs may need adjustment in some cases.



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Holes in TH17 cells release IL-1α on NLRP3 activation

EurekAlert!
Jan 10, 2023

Certain T cells can secrete cytokines that are normally part of the innate immune system, as researchers from the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI) and an international research team discovered. They have thus revealed several previously

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2022 Rheumatology Year in Review

Jan 05, 2023

2022 was a year of recovery, discovery, and some losses.  While still dealing with the aftermath of COVID-19, rheumatologists were resilient as leaders for their patients and research in advancing rheumatologic care.

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Lubricin as a Treatment Target in Gout?

EurekAlert!
Jan 04, 2023

Many Americans think of gout as a disease from a bygone era, akin to rickets or scurvy. The condition commonly afflicted the rich and royal, including American historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.



Gout is indeed one of the earliest known diseases, first

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Best of 2022: New Updated GRAPPA Psoriatic Arthritis Recommendations

Dec 26, 2022

The GRAPPA (Group for Research and Assessment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis) treatment recommendations have been updated and the 2021 evidence-based guidance is rich in treatment recommendations based on the key disease "domains" - peripheral arthritis, axial disease, enthesitis,

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Best of 2022: Approach to ILD in Myositis Syndromes

Dec 19, 2022

Mehta et al have published a full read review of managing interstitial lung disease (ILD) in patients with inflammatory myopathies, a heterogeneous group of syndromes connected by ILD and and increased morbidity and mortality risk.

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CXCL5 Therapy in Lupus?

EurekAlert!
Dec 14, 2022

 A new study has shown that restoring the balance of a protein in blood may be a promising treatment option for systemic lupus erythematosus.

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Inflammatory Arthritis and Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Dec 09, 2022

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) (also called acne inversa), is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder affecting apocrine gland-bearing skin in the axillae, groin, and under the breasts and is characterised by persistent or 

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The Top 10 Research Priorities in Psoriatic Arthritis

Dec 06, 2022

A survey of 317 carers and clinicians focused on psoriatic arthritis has set an agenda of the top 10 research questions for psoriatic arthritis (PsA).



A series of surveys were initated by the British Psoriatic Arthritis Consortium (BritPACT) and funded by the James Lind Alliance (JLA

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Rheum Drugs & IDSA Guidelines to Treat COVID-19

Dec 01, 2022

The Infectious Diseases Society of America has recently updated its recommendations with regards to the treatment of severely ill, hospitalized COVID-19 infected patients and also about the appropriate use of anti-IL-6, JAKs and colchicine.

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