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".
Read Article
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.
https://t.co/Gz2qwtC4jZ https://t.co/llK9W45DlW
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Molecular profiling of RA synovium predicts biologic responses
Machine learning analysis of pre-treatment synovial tissue biopsy from RA patients starting either ETN, TCZ and RTX revealed high accuracy prediction of 16 week outcomes unique to each biologic. https://t.co/4d6NEY6JN6
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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).
Read Article
Osteoporosis treatment benefits people older than 80
EurekAlert!
People who are older than 80 should be considered for osteoporosis treatment after a fracture to avoid further risk, according to a study being presented Saturday at ENDO 2025, the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting in San Francisco, Calif.
“The burden of osteoporosis is rising as the
Interstitial Lung Disease and Lung Cancer Risk
A large prospective cohort study found that interstitial lung disease (ILD) is associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.
This cohort study of 5,425,976 used a a sibling-controlled design to account for genetic factors. Data was taken from the Swedish Total Population Register
Read Article
HHS secretary Abruptly Cancels USPSTF Meeting on July 10 - to discuss diet, physical activity, and weight loss to prevent cardiovascular disease in adults. An HHS spokesperson did not give a reason. https://t.co/IqNOUWeVA4 https://t.co/0AmxQ1ZAcQ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
CMS to Test Prior Authorization Model in Traditional Medicare
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new experimental model late last week to streamline some prior authorizations under the traditional Medicare program, but some politicians and experts https://t.co/o8iV9Bb6Ir
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Is the term polymyositis obsolete?.. now being replaced by dermatomyositis, necrotizing myopathy, inclusion body myositis, antisynthetase syndrome & overlap myositis. Full read overview of inflammatory myositis & new treatments from Joint Bone & Spine https://t.co/X46sptp1Ax https://t.co/smqCd8Rm2o
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Don't Stop the DMARDS!!
Retrospective study of 91 JIA pts (all types; 36% oligo, 27%poly) all Rx w/ cycles of DMARD therapy. Consistently two-thirds relapsed and flared. Only one-third of JIA patients were able to remain off DMARDs. https://t.co/ifqnMKfhAe https://t.co/8JAbpO1IVe
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?
Read Article
Despite 2024 HHS proposal to reschedule CANNABIS to Schedule III, it remains Schedule I -having "no accepted medical use" and "high abuse potential".There's lots of use (legal in 24 states, DC, decriminalized in 7 states), but no evidence, research or guidelines. https://t.co/KumpvMHdhC
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Don't Stop the DMARDS!!
Retrospective study of 91 JIA pts (all types; 36% oligo, 27%poly) all Rx w/ cycles of DMARD therapy. Consistently two-thirds relapsed and flared. Only one-third of JIA patients were able to remain off DMARDs. https://t.co/ifqnMKfhAe https://t.co/bEqAxzRoq6
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
JAMA Patient Education Page on what is Interstitial Lung Disease https://t.co/BDbV6I53NH https://t.co/1OtTiJHkdt
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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/AlK2SWn6UR
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Early DMARD Initiation Benefits in Psoriatic Arthritis
Mease et al has published the results of a cohort study showing early initiation of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) resulted in better outcomes compared to late initiation.
Secukinumab fails in GCA phase 3 RCT. Novartis announced top-line results from the GCAptAIN study evaluating secukinumab in adults with newly diagnosed or relapsing GCA. In a steroid taper RCT, the endpoint was sustained remission at Wk 52 compared to placebo https://t.co/JuMDPvznCn
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
First FcRn inhibitor in #IIM: In #ALKIVIA, SC efgartigimod PH20 improved TIS vs placebo at 24wks (50.45 vs 35.65, p=0.0004), with faster time to TIS≥20 (30 vs 71.5d) & TIS≥40 (113d vs NE). More major responders too (TIS>60: 34% vs 9.5%).
#EULAR2025 #OP0002 https://t.co/ulxtL1NX2Y
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 (
Read Article
ICYMI: AGA Guideline: Prevention and Treatment of Hepatitis B Virus Reactivation in At-Risk Individuals
The American Gastroenterology Association has published its revised clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in at-risk patients, particularly those with immune-mediated disease, receiving immunomodulatory therapy and steroids.
Read Article
Rheumatologists can’t ignore hypereosinopilic syndrome anymore, not when it borders on our diseases and therapies. Great takeaways on subtypes and therapies from Giacomo Emmi in an elegant talk #EULAR2025 @RheumNow https://t.co/yzQVt1fLKW https://t.co/kiX6kPPQP5
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
PCR: Prevalence, Cost, & Risk (6.27.2025)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal reports from last week on RheumNow.
https://t.co/zt0OxwQ2BO https://t.co/eFqHwROQOj
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
ARD's Impact Factor
The 2024 Impact Factor for ARD is 20.6 – an increase from 20.3 in 2023. This retains the journal’s position as second of 58 titles in the rheumatology category and confirms its status as the top-ranking journal for the publication of original research in both https://t.co/dtMTejkhcc
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
TONIX pharm presented two phase 3 RCTs at #EULAR2025 demonstrating efficacy of sublingual cylcobenzaprine at bedtime in w/ significant reductions in Fibromyalgia pain scores. TNX-102 SL could be the 1st new FM drug to be FDA approved in >15 yrs. PDUFA (decision) date is 8.15.25. https://t.co/XNd8uYLQsJ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Upcoming Lupus Nephritis Pipeline
1. Gazyva (obinutuzumab) – due for FDA/EMA decision
2. Saphnelo IV (anifrolumab) – now in Phase III (new indication for LN
3. Ianalumab SC (Dual-action B-cell inhibitor) – now in Phase III https://t.co/mTInV8JXzq https://t.co/jEv2uvhkqK
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Recent Blogs
