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Myositis

Small series of 5 Idiopathic inflammatory myopathy (IIM) pts Rx w/ obinutuzumab for refractory myositis (2 antisynthetase syndr, 1 DM, 2 overlap myositis). 4/5 patients achieved complete response. Lung improved/stabilized in ILD patients. Two required second obinutuzumab cycle. https://t.co/ev9qlEO04l
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Ro52 Abs in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). From 2,126 IIM China/Japan pts, Ro52 positivity was common (46%), esp in MDA5+ DM & anti-synthetase syndr (ASyS) & was assoc w/ high freq of ILD, rapidly progressive ILD, and poor prognosis. https://t.co/TA4gSnZax1 https://t.co/riYs5YJwQV
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FDA Approves Brepocitinib to Treat Dermatomyositis The FDA and Priovant recently announced approval of brepocitinib (Lisraya), a JAK1/TYK2 inhibitor, for the indication of adults with dermatomyositis (DM). This is the first oral (once daily) agent approved for DM. https://t.co/JoE0p3UfSf
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FDA Approves Brepocitinib to Treat Dermatomyositis

The FDA and Priovant recently annouced approval of brepocitinib (Lisraya), a JAK1/TYK2 inhibitor, for the indication of adults with dermatomyositis (DM). This is the first oral (once daily) agent approved for DM.

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39 studies compared Juvenile systemic sclerosis (jSSc) & adult SSc. 935 jSSc vs 15,451 aSSc pts; jSSc had more diffuse cutaneous dz (70% vs 41%), more overlap myositis (33% vs. 5%), arthritis (33% vs 18%), digital ulcers (51% vs 20%), less renal crisis (0% vs 6%) & lower https://t.co/PYuvyaPdxA
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NME: New Molecular Entities (8.28.2026)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com. Take this week's RheumIQ and test your knowledge!

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Brepocitinib Skin Outcomes in Patients With Dermatomyositis

A secondary analysis of the VALOR trial has shown that the TYK2/JAK1 inhibitor brepocitinib was effective at cutaneous disease activity outcomes, delivering rapid, clinically meaningful, and remission-level control of cutaneous dermatomyositis (DM).

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39 studies compared Juvenile systemic sclerosis (jSSc) & adult SSc. 935 jSSc vs 15,451 aSSc pts; jSSc had more diffuse cutaneous dz (70% vs 41%), more overlap myositis (33% vs. 5%), arthritis (33% vs 18%), digital ulcers (51% vs 20%), less renal crisis (0% vs 6%) & lower https://t.co/vflarmwSyv
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
SLE & Dermatomyositis rashes maybe classically red or violaceous in Whites,but different in people of color, where erythema often appears brown/violaceous, Gottron papules can be mistaken for "dry skin." This delays dx, especially in anti-MDA5+ RP-ILD, where rash may be the https://t.co/DIe2OJhZIc
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Rheum Scholarship (8.21.2026)

Dr. Cush reviews the news and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com; talking about lumbar belts, scholarships and misdiagnosis.

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Misdiagnosis of Still's Disease

High fever, strange rashes, scary labs often lead to a consideration of Still's disease (AOSD or systemic JIA). Yet the dramatic onset of a systemic disorder may overlap with another, and possibly as rare, systemic disorder that should not be misdiagnosed or mistreated. A current case review by

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Efgartigimod Efficacy in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy

Today Argenx announced the results of their Phase 3 "ALKIVIA" study; demonstrating efficacy and safety of subcutaneous efgartigimod for Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy (IIM, AKA inflammatory myositis).

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Study of 154 anti-Ku Ab+ pts (51 IMMM, 46 SLE, 30 Sjögrens, 27 Sc) = 60 (39%) had ILD - 75% progressed; more rapidly in males. BUT Ku+ is rare <4%, not specific, without clear clinical implications. Ku is a myositis-assoc Ab (like Ro52/Ro60, U1-RNP, PM/Scl) https://t.co/s1VFhaOYgn
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Doubting RS3PE (8.14.2026)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles this week where RheumNow featured info on cancer, deadly viruses, AI rules, poetry and good moons rising.

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Study of 154 anti-Ku Ab+ pts (51 IMMM, 46 SLE, 30 Sjögrens, 27 Sc) = 60 (39%) had ILD - 75% progressed; more rapidly in males. BUT Ku+ is rare <4%, not specific, without clear clinical implications. Ku is a myositis-assoc Ab (like Ro52/Ro60, U1-RNP, PM/Scl) https://t.co/MHz8mdqDqi
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Rethinking Treatment of EGPA Like MPA & GPA, the goals of EGPA are controlling initial organ damage and preventing relapse. But EGPA has the added challenge of chronic upper and lower respiratory tract involvement, allergic type 2 inflammations and risk of glucocorticoid https://t.co/KIVpyhsghg
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Arrhythmias in Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease

A new review in the Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease (Tamirisa et al) synthesizes how systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic sclerosis have an increased risk of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death attributable to shared immune pathways.

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Seronegative RA Disease Activity (7.17.2026)

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

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Guidelines to Spot Cancer in High Risk Dermatomyositis

MedPage Today

International guidelines can help identify dermatomyositis patients with a particularly high risk for cancer, according to a retrospective single-center U.S. study.

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Do You Zoster Vaccinate? (6.19.2026)

Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal reports and best ways to review EULAR 2026.

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From BiTE to TriTE: Progress of T-cell Engagers in RMDs

The EULAR 2026 Congress in London showcased growing interest in T-cell engagers as a novel strategy to achieve deep B-cell depletion and drug-free remission in refractory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). Bispecific T-cell engagers (BiTE) aim to overcome limitations of

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EULAR 2026 Rheumatology RoundUp

It’s time for Rheumatology RoundUp from EULAR 2026 from London, UK. Drs. Artie Kavanaugh and Jack Cush review their choice presentations from the meeting, offering their perspectives on impact and applicability.

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Exploring Idiopathic Myopathies #EULAR2026: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a diverse group of autoimmune diseases with significant morbidity. While EULAR/ACR classification criteria were established in 2017, updated real-world data and better tools to assess https://t.co/CbUWodWT7z
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5 years since Patient ID001: Progress on CAR-T Therapy in RMD

Five years on, are we closer to licensing of the first CAR-T therapy in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD)?

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Exploring Idiopathic Myopathies

2026 EULAR Press Release

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a heterogenous group of autoimmune conditions with substantial morbidity. EULAR in collaboration with the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) introduced classification criteria for the major subgroups in 2017,1 but there is a need for contemporary

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