News
Targeting the Wnt Pathway Fails in OA
The Wnt pathway modulator lorecivivint failed to meet the primary endpoint in a phase IIa study for knee osteoarthritis (OA), but showed promise in certain patient subgroups, researchers reported.
TNR Grand Rounds - Cytokine Storm Syndromes
This week's Tuesday Nite Rheumatology featured Dr Randy Cron from the University of Alabama - Birmingham as he spoke and took questions on the immunology, immunopathogenesis and treatment of Cytokine Storm Syndrome, especially as they relate to COVID-19 and rheumatic disease patients. The program was moderated by Dr. Jack Cush.
Boston and Wuhan Report Rheum COVID Patients at Risk for Respiratory Failure
Two current reports from Boston and Wuhan describe cohorts of COVID-19 (+) rheumatic disease patients who generally do well but appear to have a higher risk of pulmonary involvement.
Hydroxychloroquine Improves Survival in Lupus
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has dominated the news in recent weeks, because of poor outcomes reported when used in COVID patients. Yet, a recent report reaffirms what rheumatologists have known for years - that HCQ use is associated with better outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus, including survival.
Low Risk of COVID-19 Pneumonia in Rheumatic Patients
A current letter in the Annals of Rheumatic Disease details the rheumatic disease patient cohort outcomes from the University of Siena, Italy showing only 2 cases of COVID-19 among 859 patients treated with tsDMARDs and bDMARDs.
Again, Antimalarial Use Fails to Benefit COVID
Today Lancet reported the results of another retrospective trial showing that hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine, alone or with a macrolide antibioitic, offered no additional benefits to COVID-19 patients, but was associated with higher rates of mortality and arrhythmia.
RheumNow Podcast - Preaching to the Choir (5.22.20)
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and journal articles from the past week on RheumNow.com.
Outcomes of Critically-Ill COVID Patients in NYC
Lancet has reported COVID outcomes from NewYork-Presbyterian hospitals in NYC during March 2020 showing high rates of hospitalization, ICU admission, mechanical ventilation and death.
No Certain Link between Biologics and Melanoma Risk
A review of available data fails to show an increased risk of melanoma in IMID (inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis) patients treated with systemic biologic therapies.
Anti-TNF and CNS Events: The Link Strengthens
Patients with autoimmune diseases who were treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors had an increased risk of developing inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) adverse events, a nested case-control study found.
