Count Your Telangiectasias (5.29.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal articles and missed quiz questions.
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RepurpSS-II: Hydroxychloroquine plus Leflunomide in Sjögren's
A small pilot, phase 2b trial has shown that the combination of leflunomide and hydroxychloroquine (LEF+HCQ) was effective and safe in treating patients with active Sjögren's disease.
https://t.co/eeyhso0WJ6 https://t.co/ZGWOOtf92E
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RepurpSS-II: Hydroxychloroquine plus Leflunomide in Sjögren's
A small pilot, phase 2b trial has shown that the combination of leflunomide and hydroxychloroquine (LEF+HCQ) was effective and safe in treating patients with active Sjögren's disease.
https://t.co/tyd1efUtca https://t.co/zcY7RyX8SZ
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
RepurpSS-II: Hydroxychloroquine plus Leflunomide in Sjögren's
A small, pilot, phase 2b trial has shown that the combination of leflunomide and hydroxychloroquine (LEF+HCQ) was effective and safe in treating patients with active Sjögren's disease.
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Chinese study of 371 pts w/ Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) - extrahepatic autoimmune diseases (EADs) seen in 24% -Sjogren’s & autoimmune thyroid dz (9% each). ANA+ independently assoc w/ EADs (OR 2) https://t.co/NVz8MWbJch https://t.co/tjCzaDcUFI
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Epidemiology of Dry Eye Autoimmune Disease
Rates upwards of 20% were seen across nine common autoimmune diseases other than Sjögren's, most often in rheumatoid arthritis (39.3%) with Crohn's disease bringing up the rear (23.0%), according to Chi-Chin Sun, MD, PhD, of Chang Gung https://t.co/Z8ZBGmqT93
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
A month ago the FDA Granted Breakthrough Designation to Ianalumab for Sjögren Disease . The drug targets BAFF and depletes B cells. Two recent positive RCTs (NEPTUNUS-1, NEPTUNUS-2). Novartis expects a regulatory decision in early 2026 https://t.co/PXVjGG1Cmd https://t.co/0s5livw1bg
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Epidemiology of Dry Eye Autoimmune Disease
Rates upwards of 20% were seen across nine common autoimmune diseases other than Sjögren's, most often in rheumatoid arthritis (39.3%) with Crohn's disease bringing up the rear (23.0%), according to Chi-Chin Sun, MD, PhD, of Chang Gung https://t.co/lnacSUlrI8
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Epidemiology of Dry Eye Autoimmune Disease
Dry eye rates upwards of 20% were seen across nine common autoimmune diseases other than Sjögren's, most often in rheumatoid arthritis (39.3%) with Crohn's disease bringing up the rear (23.0%), according to Chi-Chin Sun, MD, PhD, of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Keelung, Taiwan, and colleagues
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Prevention in Lupus and Therapeutic Evolution in Sjögren’s explores the proactive approach in autoimmune diseases, moving from theory to empirical evaluation. Recent discussions on incomplete lupus and the SMILE trial, along with advancements in Sjögren’s treatments, underscore https://t.co/KY9nHnpkxk
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Prevention in Lupus and Therapeutic Evolution in Sjögren’s
The notion of intervening in autoimmune disease prior to the onset of irreversible tissue damage has evolved beyond a theoretical framework; it is presently undergoing empirical evaluation. Recent discussions on incomplete lupus and the SMILE trial, alongside advances in Sjögren’s therapeutics,
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FDA has announced "Breakthrough Designation" for 3 drugs + 1 test being developed:
** Biogen: litifilimab (targets dendritic cells) for cutaneous lupus
** Novartis: Ianalumab (BAFF blockade) for Sjogrens
** J&J: Nipocaiimab (FcRn) for Sjogrens
** Encarta: pocket Lyme test https://t.co/RMKg14rejq
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
ANA Pollution (2.06.2026)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news, journal articles and regulatory news from this past week on RheumNow.com
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FDA has announced "Breakthrough Designation" for 3 drugs + 1 test being developed:
** Biogen: litifilimab (targets dendritic cells) for cutaneous lupus
** Novartis: Ianalumab (BAFF blockade) for Sjogrens
** J&J: Nipocaiimab (FcRn) for Sjogrens
** Encarta: pocket Lyme test https://t.co/zODOTWyqP8
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
B Cells at the Brink in Sjögren Disease
The current issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology reviews the current understanding of the immunopathogenesis of Sjögren disease (SjD) and how this understanding has informed drug development for this systemic autoimmune disorder. https://t.co/zI7lQ5N54o
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
B Cells at the Brink in Sjögren Disease
The current issue of Arthritis & Rheumatology reviews current understanding of the immunopathogenesis of Sjögren disease (SjD) and how that has influenced the quest for drug development for this most systemic autoimmune disorder.
Although several new agents have shown very
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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 will impact patient care for rheumatic diseases.
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Sjogrens is a hot area in drug development: “Sjogren’s Syndrome Pipeline Insight 2025” report provides comprehensive insights about 20+ companies and 22+ pipeline drugs, including:
nipocalimab
VAY736 (ianalumab)
HZN-1116
AMG 329
R-2487 https://t.co/sVbyPLi2Um https://t.co/2URpGUsMk9
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Best of 2025: ERS/EULAR guidelines for CTD-related interstitial lung disease
The European Respiratory Society (ERS) and European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) have published clinical practice guidelines for the evaluation and management of connective tissue diseases (CTD) associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) in two simultaneous publications in
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Novartis announced top line results of its ianalumab (VAY736;B cell inhibitor) in primary Sjögren’s dz. 2 RCTs, NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2, met met primary endpoints w/ statistically significant improvements in disease activity in Sjögren’s patients. https://t.co/cIBhF3YJh3 https://t.co/RpZGe0Sa0K
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Retrospective EHR study of 38,327 COVID-19 infx pts & 1,143 whodeveloped post Covid Syndrome (PCC). PCC risk was signif higher in women & obese. Pre-COVID, psoriasis (OR 1.41) & RA (OR 1.64) had incr risk of PCC. Post COVID, more Sjögren’s (OR 4.05) among PCC. https://t.co/0Z48Hy43XY
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Review of neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blockers, being developed by J&J, argenx & UCB, showing utility in autoimmune dz as they reduce autoantibodies. FcRn inhibitor market may be worth USD 3.3 billion by 2035. Approved for myasthenia gravis & being developed in Sjögren’s, SLE, https://t.co/mBUla87dK5
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Sjogren’s disease: two drugs with positive trials Sjogren’s disease: two drugs with positive trials
After several failures of therapies in Phase 3 trials of Sjogren’s disease (SjD) over many years, all hope is not lost! At #ACR25, not one but two drugs presented their efficacy https://t.co/tGwUrLMZEI
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
Sjögren's disease RCTs: Has the Long Drought Ended?
At #ACR25, two late breaking abstracts have triggered hope for patients suffering from Sjögren's disease.
https://t.co/nNNx5sXzCz https://t.co/r9VBgyYgOC
Dr. John Cush @RheumNow( View Tweet )
DAHLIAS study - Nipocalimab in Sjögren's Disease
Nipocalimab, a neonatal Fc receptor blocker that reduces circulating IgG and autoantibodies, was shown to be effective in a phase 2 trial in patients with severe Sjögren's disease.
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Sjögren’s Disease – What Are You Missing?
Sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
What could you be missing in Sjögren's disease? Explore hypothetical patient cases with atypical presentations, systemic manifestations, and overlooked symptoms. Gain expert insights and practical tips for clinical assessment from Dr Shereen Mahmood and learn how the ESSDAI can help you measure disease activity.
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Podcasts
ACR 2025 Daily Podcasts Day4b
