Sjögren's Graduates (8.22.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports, FDA approvals, drug safety, and more from this week.
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Rheums Speak: Future of Rheumatoid Arthritis
The third survey in this series addressed clinician views on future trends (AI), future therapies and lessons learned.
This survey captured 233 responses from rheumatologists (91), most (61%) from the USA. US respondents were from the Southeast (17.5%), Southwest (11.4%), Mid-Atlantic (
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JAKne? Study of 2183 IBD pts on JAK inhib, 272 developed acne. Crude prevalence: 16% upadacitinib, 4% tofacitinib, 2% filgotinib (dose-dependent w/ UPA & Tofa). JAKne in pts 30–50 yrs; mild-moderate severity; in 1st 3 mos. Higher risk w/ prior hx acne vulgaris (OR 4.9) https://t.co/G29CvZ6aux
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
JAKne? Study of 2183 IBD pts on JAK inhib, 272 developed acne. Crude prevalence: 16% upadacitinib, 4% tofacitinib, 2% filgotinib (dose-dependent w/ UPA & Tofa). JAKne in pts 30–50 yrs; mild-moderate severity; in 1st 3 mos. Higher risk w/ prior hx acne vulgaris (OR 4.9) https://t.co/nz8F2lBwe5
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Rheums Speak: Changing Rheumatology Practices & Choices
RheumNow surveyed clinicians worldwide on how their rheumatology practice, treatment decisions, and career outlooks have changed over the past 20 years. 242 respondents (68% from the USA) shared their perspectives on the changing landscape of rheumatoid arthritis care, practice patterns, and
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Repurposing & Pipeline (8.8.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, reports, pipeline and drug repurposing on this week’s podcast.
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Dermatomyositis Reviewed
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have published an open-access review of dermatomyositis (DM) - its manifestations, hallmark cutaneous features, etiopathogenesis and treatment options.
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COVID Vaccine study in rheum pts on JAKi (n 22) or TNFi (n 16) Showing 50% response in JAKi and 81% w/ TNFi Rx. Pt PBMCs were stim by SAR-CoV2 spike proteins & CD4+ T cells IFNγ production as Pos. response. Do JAKi impair COVID-19 Vax responses? https://t.co/dZAktwrytf https://t.co/mjkBfcGcfD
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Rheums Speak - RA Treatment Survey
RheumNow's August 2025 “Live Vote” surveys examine Rheumatologist impressions, knowledge and practices over the last 20 years when treating rheumatoid arthritis.
The first survey on RA Treatment (7/28/2025) sheds light on evolving prescribing habits, use of biologics, and key frustrations in RA
Factors Affecting Biologic Use in Rheumatoid Arthritis
A San Francisco Rheumatoid Arthritis Panel cohort survey between 1999–2011, showed numerous sociodemographic, disease, and health characteristics that influenced the initiation of treatment with biologic agents for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
CKD & Osteoporosis Rx Revisited (7.25.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal and FDA updates from this past week on RheumNow.com.
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Zasocitinib (Tyk2 Inhibitor) Efficacy in Psoriatic Arthritis
A highly selective, tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor zasocitinib (TAK-279), was studied in a phase 2b trial and found to be effective and safe patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
https://t.co/HB0eVLLAh6 https://t.co/5Kqopaw6wL
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
10-20% of IBD pts have IBD-assoc. spondyloarthritis, as either peripheral arthritis or axial Dz, subclinical gut inflammation w/ IL-23–IL-17–TNFα playing central roles. TNFi & JAKi Rx is effective, but IL-17i may exacerbate IBD (vedolizumab??) Review here>> https://t.co/EL0sL2M3YX
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
NHANES, Numbers, & Risk (7.18.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week on RheumNow.com along with interesting case questions from "Ask Cush Anything".
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Zasocitinib (Tyk2 Inhibitor) Efficacy in Psoriatic Arthritis
A highly selective, tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitor zasocitinib (TAK-279), was studied in a phase 2b trial and found to be effective and safe patients with active psoriatic arthritis (PsA).
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Manifestations and Treatment in Relapsing Polychondritis
A large multicenter cohort study of Relapsing Polychondritis (RP) describes the clinical manifestations and treatment approaches to this rare, heterogeneous, multisystem disease
Variability of Guidelines on the Perioperative Use of DMARDs in Rheumatic Diseases Patients
More effective treatments in patients with rheumatic diseases have resulted in less need for major surgery, yet a substantial number of RMD patients will undergo surgery often in the setting of DMARDs use. A scoping review looked at numerous clinical practice guidelines/recommendations for the
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10-20% of IBD pts have IBD-assoc. spondyloarthritis, as either peripheral arthritis or axial Dz, subclinical gut inflammation w/ IL-23–IL-17–TNFα playing central roles. TNFi & JAKi Rx is effective, but IL-17i may exacerbate IBD (vedolizumab??) Review here>> https://t.co/kNIAi55Y7z
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RABBIT (German biologics register) study shows overall small increase in malignancy w/ JAKi vs bDMARDs. Risks greatest in those ≥ 60 yrs, w/ Hi Dz activity, on ≥3 prior csDMARDs. 2285 JAKi vs 4259 bDMARDs: 88 vs 135 malignancies CAs (IRs 11.6 vs 8.9; adj HR 1.40). JAKi risk https://t.co/PRn0G94CB0
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Hmmm Really? (7.11.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from this past week - some obvious, other new thoughts and some - hmmm, reallly?
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Case–control study RA pts > 65yrs in US. SEER (cancer) database (2014–2019). Overall cancer risk not associated with use of JAKi (adjOR 1.04), TNFi (0.98) or other bDMARDs (0.98). But, JAKi use was assoc w/ incr risk of lung CA (OR 1.40), esp in Males (2.12) & >2 yrs JAKi. Lower https://t.co/u2psafyN1I
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Overview of the VEXAS Syndrome
A current systematic review in Rheumatology addresses the clinical features seen in the VEXAS syndrome.
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Immunomodulators in the Treatment of Autoimmune Hepatitis
EurekAlert!
Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic, progressive inflammatory liver disease driven by autoimmune mechanisms, characterized by elevated serum aminotransferases, hypergammaglobulinemia, and interface hepatitis on histology. With an annual global incidence of 1.37 per 100,000, AIH can lead
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Review of 104 irAE pts rx w/ JAK inhib. (82% tofacitinib). Checkpoint inhib was for Lung (20%), gastric (17%) & melanoma (16%). JAKi indications: myocarditis (70%), myositis (33%), hepatitis (24%). JAKi potentially effective esp in irAE pts unresponsive to cytokine Rx. https://t.co/8ezpAOzpRh
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
ICYMI: Channeling Bias and Cancer Risk with Biologic or Targeted Synthetic DMARDs
A retrospective US administrative claims cohort study of RA patients on tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis), non-TNFi biologics, or Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) found a statistically significantly higher risk of incident cancer in patients receiving rituximab, abatacept, or JAKis (
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