Victoria Johnson

An international IgG4ward! Foundation panel issued 28 treatment statements for IgG4-related diseases, with consensus reached on 22.

In 33 patients with myositis-associated ILD from FIBRONEER-ILD, nerandomilast numerically slowed FVC decline and lowered progression risk.

In a matched claims analysis, 94% of patients with PMR initiating sarilumab discontinued glucocorticoids by 12 months vs 78% initiating methotrexate.

Patients with relapsing GCA who stopped upadacitinib after year 1 flared sooner and needed far more glucocorticoids than new-onset patients.

In year 2 of SELECT-GCA, 6.0% of patients continuing upadacitinib flared vs 55.9% switched to placebo.

Once-weekly retatrutide reduced WOMAC pain and body weight vs placebo in two phase 3 trials, with up to 69.6% of participants halving knee pain at week 68.

Two ACR Convergence 2026 studies tie GLP-1 receptor agonists to lower cardiovascular and mortality risk.

Two ACR 2026 abstracts report rising cardiovascular deaths in Sjögren syndrome and superior ESSDAI response with baricitinib vs hydroxychloroquine.

Kate Harnden, MBChB, PhD, discusses models predicting persistent arthritis after checkpoint inhibitor therapy, presented at EULAR 2026 and as an ACR plenary.

On World Arthritis Day, TOGETHER-PsA data and 3 rheumatology/derm experts frame GLP-1 agonists as a promising — but not yet proven — adjunct therapy.

Amplio Pharma now planning a phase 2a study after NovoBioJect raised intracellular active methotrexate levels by 38%.

The EC approved upadacitinib for active polyarticular JIA in children 2 years and older, based on phase 1 SELECT-YOUTH efficacy and safety data.

Amgen reported dazodalibep met its primary endpoint in the phase 3 OASIZ-301 trial, improving ESSDAI score in moderate-to-severe systemic Sjögren's disease.

Rozanolixizumab improved FIQR score at 10 weeks but did not reach 2-sided statistical significance on its primary BPI-SF interference endpoint.

Two-year data from the open-label extension show sustained ACR and MDA response rates for the TYK2 inhibitor in active psoriatic arthritis.

Beeline Medicines reported positive topline data meeting primary SRI-4 endpoint at week 48 across all 3 doses in systemic lupus erythematosus.

The designation follows phase 2 IMPACT trial data showing reduced adverse pregnancy outcomes in high-risk antiphospholipid syndrome.

In a large real-world PsA cohort, higher BMI reduced the odds of minimal disease activity, especially with TNF inhibitors other than infliximab.

August 2026 rheumatology highlights include FDA approval of brepocitinib for dermatomyositis and garetosmab-grts for FOP, and new trial data.

Garetosmab-grts is the first treatment demonstrating reduced new heterotopic ossification lesions and flare-ups in adults with FOP.

Efgartigimod produced significant, sustained improvement in autoimmune myositis, including the first positive phase 3 results in IMNM.

Sonelokimab hit its primary ACR50 endpoint and all key secondary endpoints in biologic-naive patients with psoriatic arthritis in the phase 3 IZAR-1 trial.

In RA-BRIDGE and RA-BRANCH, baricitinib failed to demonstrate VTE noninferiority in patients with RA enriched for thromboembolic risk factors.

Baricitinib achieved glucocorticoid-free remission in 65% of patients with new-onset polymyalgia rheumatica at week 16, versus 17% with placebo.

A Phase 2a basket trial produced ACR50 responses in 71% of refractory RA patients at 6 months.

A post-hoc of 5 phase 3 trials saw non-glucocorticoid DORIS remission and LLDAS attainment nearly doubled vs placebo at week 52.

3-month topline data showed a 72% reduction in pain and a 109% improvement in function versus placebo, both exceeding prespecified FDA thresholds for Phase III advancement.

Oral TLR7/8 inhibitor enpatoran earns FDA Breakthrough status for lupus skin disease, with Phase 2 CLASI-A gains and Phase 3 underway.

Findings from an independent, blinded re-adjudication of ADVOCATE's primary endpoints will be presented at an FDA hearing scheduled for July 2026.

Key changes in the 2026 ACR/SAA/SPARTAN guideline update elevate JAK inhibitors to a strong recommendation and introduce nociplastic pain guidance.