News
Prolonging the Controversy of Hydroxychloroquine
Since the start of the pandemic, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was forced into the limelight for the prevention/treatment of COVID-19. When it was found to be ineffective for COVID-19 and might cause potential harm, the drug came under closer scrutiny for its safety profile.
DORIS - Defining Remission in Lupus
Proponents of treat to target in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have all agreed that "remission" should be the goal, but defining remission may be tricky in SLE. A SLE Definitions Of Remission (DORIS)Task Force was convened in 2015 and first published their work in 2016.
Giant Cell Arteritis Novel Treatment Options
Giant cell arteritis is associated with significant treatment related morbidity due to the dependence on glucocorticoids as a treatment option. After sixty years of therapeutic stagnation, these are exciting times in the management of GCA. At this year's ACR Convergence meeting, encouraging data will be presented on options for GCA.
RheumNow Podcast - 60/40/20 Interview with Dr. Ed Keystone
Dr. Jack Cush interviews Professor Edward Keystone, MD (University of Toronto) on the origins and science behind the 60/40/20 benchmark and outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis.
Risankizumab for Active Psoriatic Arthritis
The arsenal of therapeutics for psoriatic arthritis continues to increase. Risankizumab is an IL-23 inhibitor to the p19 subunit, currently being investigated for treatment of psoriatic arthritis.
Better assessment and management of multimorbidity
Appropriate assessment and management of comorbidities and multimorbidity in patients with RA is vital for overall health and well-being of the patient, as well as to encourage treatment adherence, and address social, psychological and quality of life factors.
Safety of Psoriatic Biologics in Pregnancy
Little is known about the safety of newer biologic use during pregnancy, especially in patients who either conceive while on a biologic or must remain on a biologic during pregnancy (often the case with IBD and inflammatory arthritis).
Emerging Therapies in Spondyloarthritis: A Promising Pipeline
Growing awareness of spondyloarthropathies over the last two decades has led to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of spondyloarthritis, and subsequently increased interest in more distinct, disease state specific treatment options.
Does Control of Inflammation Lower Cancer Risk?
Dr. Jonathan Kay's provocative video addresses whether the increased cancer risk associated with tofacitinib (Tofa) seen in the Pfizer Oral Surveillance (1133) study represents a real increased risk, an increased risk relative to a decreased risk with TNF inhibitors (TNFi) or an actual decreased cancer risk (unknown as there was no placebo comparator in this trial).
The Influence of Obesity on Choice of Biologic in Rheumatoid Arthritis
In rheumatoid arthritis we have a wide range of options available to us when we progress to a biologic treatment option. We have little to differentiate between these agents based on the clinical trials.
Update on Safety, Effectiveness of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in SLE
It is almost a year since the Pfizer-BioNTech SARS-CoV-2 vaccine has been made available by the FDA under emergency use authorization (EUA). The question still being asked is whether the vaccine is safe for people with lupus?
