Emergencies, Independence & Hemorrhage (1.23.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and reports from the past two weeks on RheumNow.Com
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Retrospective real-world study of 87 Behcets dz pts & inital Rx w/ IFX (n 45) or ADA (n 42) (2020 to 2025) & >60% were on AZA. Complete remission achieved in 76% (IFX) vs 79% (ADA) initially, & 89% vs 77% last visit. Same Rx retention but more relapses w/ IFX (38% v 17%) https://t.co/6FiuYe0GI9
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Did you know theres a Subcutaneous (SC) rituximab (Hycela)? Its same RTX but combined w/ hyaluronidase, faster 5-7 minute injection Vs hours for IV RTX. FDA approved 2017 for Follicular Lymphoma (FL) and Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). Give 1st dose IV, then use SC RTX. https://t.co/piQ2ZhAOyf
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BIOBADASER III Registry shows No Cancer Risk with b/tsDMARDs
A large, real-world cohort study of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) finds patients treated with biologic and targeted synthetic DMARDs (b/tsDMARDs) do not have an increased risk of cancer.
Researchers used 2000–2023 data for RA patients from the BIOBADASER III registry,
Congratulations to Lupus Research Alliance 2025 Global Science Award Recipients 1) Drs. Deepak Rao & Alexandra-Chloe Villani at Harvard affiliates; & 2) Dr. Caroline Jefferies at Cedars-Sinai. Grants will support interdisciplinary, collaborative, & synergistic projects in SLE https://t.co/GcfuEty75b
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German psoriasis registry PsoBest reports on 595 Rx w/ apremilast (417 APR monotherapy). Compared to Ptx Rx w/ other DMARDs/biologic drugs, APR pts higher age, more comorbidities. Nonserious AEs: ineffectiveness (14%), diarrhea (9%), nausea (7%), HA (6%). https://t.co/TviJmM7Fr9 https://t.co/tY89oHgUgV
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Drugs that may cause toxic myopathy, presenting as muscle dysfunction w/ weakness and elevated muscle enzymes and possibly confused w/ idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) - full read review of mimickers of myositis. https://t.co/3wdLvkxcAX https://t.co/OqLjv45HXH
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Subcutaneous Anifrolumab in SLE
Manzi et al. have published the results of the TULIP-SC trial that showed that weekly subcutaneous (SC) anifrolumab, when given to severe SLE patients, had comparable efficacy and safety to the approved intravenous (IV) anifrolumab. https://t.co/ruZM3Qftxb
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The 2025 Rheumatology Year in Review
The year 2025 presented numerous advances in rheumatology and related inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, ranging from several new groundbreaking FDA approvals/indications, drug developments, game-changing guidelines, and practices that https://t.co/gjNesm0AWO
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FDA & Administration are deregulating artificial intelligence & promote widespread use, includes use of wearables & other AI-enabled devices. Commissioner Marty Makary updated two guidance docs defining use general wellness devices, clinical decision support software https://t.co/KnkYqCiroa
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Advanced Practitioner Biologic Prescriptions for Psoriasis
Advanced practice clinicians (APCs; nurse practitioners and physician assistants) deliver a large share of US dermatologic care, accounting for 37% of clinicians and 27% of dermatology visits by 2020. A current JAMA https://t.co/3NtntmpSPV
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Metanalysis of 21 clinical trials, 2,100 adults, shows cannabis-based medicines (vs placebo) over 2-26 weeks are not effective in treating chronic neuropathy nerve pain, regardless if given as THC of CBD. https://t.co/ZOJrcMGZkr https://t.co/nqCWoFmaWp
Links:
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In Dec 2025, the FDA qualified total hip bone mineral density (BMD) assessed by DXA as a validated surrogate endpoint for osteoporosis clinical trials. Previously OP trials required fracture endpoints as primary efficacy measures, necessitating large 2-5 yr studies https://t.co/5t9rftwX4A
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2025 Lancet review https://t.co/Qbwup6QxZK of Osteoarthritis did not mention/endorse Rx w/ platelet rich plasma (PRP) prompting several letters of protest. Read the authors response: Despite the popularity of PRP, there are few PBO controlled high quality studies to prove its https://t.co/RCaQVXvvfK
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
The 2025 Rheumatology Year in Review
The year 2025 presented numerous advances in rheumatology and related inflammatory and autoimmune disorders ranging from several new groundbreaking FDA approvals/indications, drug developments, game-changing guidelines and practices that will impact patient care for rheumatic diseases.
Read Article
Subcutaneous Anifrolumab in SLE
Manzi et al. have published the results of the TULIP-SC trial that showed that weekly subcutaneous (SC) anifrolumab, when given to severe SLE patients, had comparable efficacy and safety to the approved intravenous (IV) anifrolumab. https://t.co/3DWNEXaO2x
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Advanced Practitioner Biologic Prescriptions for Psoriasis
Advanced practice clinicians (APCs; nurse practitioners and physician assistants) deliver a large share of US dermatologic care, accounting for 37% of clinicians and 27% of dermatology visits by 2020. A current JAMA Dermatology reports APC drug spending trends in dermatology, with a focus on
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US Overdose Deaths have dropped in 2024 & 2025!. Overdose (opioids, heroin, fentanyl) deaths peaked at ~110,000 in 2022, fell a little in 2023, but plummeted (27%) to 80,000 in 2024. Reported deaths highes in the N. East & Atlantic states. https://t.co/P3mgrOzGhr https://t.co/eGOBhIx7ZB
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
In Dec 2025, the FDA qualified total hip bone mineral density (BMD) assessed by DXA as a validated surrogate endpoint for osteoporosis clinical trials. Previously OP trials required fracture endpoints as primary efficacy measures, necessitating large 2-5 yr studies https://t.co/q8a7QmoIXs
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Subcutaneous Anifrolumab in SLE
Manzi et al. have published the results of the TULIP-SC trial that showed that weekly subcutaneous (SC) anifrolumab, when given to severe SLE patients, had comparable efficacy and safety to the approved intravenous (IV) anifrolumab. https://t.co/yrAirr2R2Y
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
2025 Lancet review https://t.co/Qbwup6QxZK of Osteoarthritis did not mention/endorse Rx w/ platelet rich plasma (PRP) prompting several letters of protest. Read the authors response: Despite the popularity of PRP, there are few PBO controlled high quality studies to prove its https://t.co/7pCZV9CHfJ
Links:
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Subcutaneous Anifrolumab in SLE
Manzi et al. have published the results of the TULIP-SC trial that showed that weekly subcutaneous (SC) anifrolumab, when given to severe SLE patients, had comparable efficacy and safety to the approved intravenous (IV) anifrolumab.
TULIP-SC was a
J&J announced positive topline results from Phase 2b JASMINE study showing the efficacy of of nipocalimab, FcRn blocker that reduces AutoAbs & B cell activity. Study met its 24 wk primary endpoint (SRI-4 response) vs placebo. There were no new safety signals https://t.co/KMseKyGirt
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
2026 Resolutions (1.9.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, announcements and journal articles from this past week on RheumNow.com. More on Variable bendability, a better way to treat RA, and a novel advance for GLP1a in PsA; and 2026 Resolutions!
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Plenty of evidence that toxic environmental exposures increase #RA risk. Full read, intelligent report from Stanhope et al showing how (healthy environmental) green space exposures are protective & capable of preventing RA!! Lifestyle is gigantically important in your https://t.co/LUWmHhUT7F
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
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