Lancet Launches EULAR 2017 and "A Platinum Age of Rheumatology"
The current Lancet edition for 10 June 2017 is a rheumatology rich collection.
News
Mixed Results with Combination Therapy in Gout
Lesinurad, a selective URAT-1 inhibitor has been approved for coadministration with a urate-lowering therapy (ULT) in patients with gout for nearly a year. The CRYSTAL study was one of the studies that lead to FDA approval.
Supreme Court Decision Favors Earlier Biosimilar Adoption
On Monday June 11th, the US Supreme Court unanimously ruled that biosimilar manufacturers can bring their drugs to market faster by eliminating the provision that the biosimar manufacturer had to give the innovator company 180 days notice before launching the new biosimilar.
FDA Approves Abatacept for Pediatric Use
Subcutaneous (SC) abatacept (Orencia) is now available for use in patients 2 years of age and older with moderately to severely active polyarticular Juvenile Idiopathic (JIA) according to Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Suspending Methotrexate for Influenza Vaccination
Vaccinating our rheumatoid arthritis patients against influenza every year is a safety priorty. However immunosuppressive therapies pose a challenge to vaccine administration as their use can hamper vaccine immunogenicity.
The RheumNow Week in Review – 9 June 2017
Dr. Jack Cush reviews the news and reports of interest from RheumNow in the last week:
FDA Requests Removal of OPANA-ER from the Market
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has asked Endo International to withdraw Opana ER from the market, stating that benefits no longer outweigh its risks of this long-acting opioid.
Debate over Alcohol and Methotrexate Precautions
Drs. Kremer and Weinblatt have responded to a recent Annals of Rheumatic Disease article regarding the hepatic risks of alcohol use with methotrexate (MTX) therapy authored by Humphries et al. (Citation source: http://buff.ly/2r70uuz)
2017 ACR Guideline on Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis
The American College of Rheumatology has updated its 2010 guideline for the prevention and treatment of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. The guideline provides recommendations on assessing fracture risk and treatment for adults and special patient populations, including women of childbearing potential, adults treated with very high-dose glucocorticoids, adults with organ transplants, and children ages 4-17.
Upadacitinib Effective in Rheumatoid Arthritis
AbbVie released the preliminary results of a rheumatoid arthritis trial wherein its Jak inhibitor, upadacitinib, was tested against placebo, and shown to be superior in established RA patients who have failed prior DMARD therapy.
Nurse-Led Patient Care in Rheumatology
Manpower in rheumatology is about to be a major problem for the next several decades: not enough trainees, a "tsunami of retiring older white rheumatologists", and an aging baby-boomer, arthritis-primed population will strain current resources and manpower. Moreover, necessary services will not likely be available to those in need and there may be a significant maldistribution of adequate rheumatologic care.
Biosimilar Reports – May 2017
Biosimilars continue to command a great deal of research, development and attention given the promise of significant cost savings and potentially wider use for those in need. Biosimilar Reports is an ongoing series dedicated to advances, discussions and developments in biosimilar agents intended for use by rheumatologists.
