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Preliminary Study Shows Promise in Immunotherapy for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Researchers are exploring the possibility of using immune checkpoint inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis patients. A small study presented at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) annual meeting earlier this month shows that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who were treated with immunotherapy, responded just as well as a comparable patient population with only 12 of 22 patients experiencing flares.

High Rates of Inappropriate Opioid Use Found in SLE

A large proportion of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been inappropriately prescribed opioids, researchers reported recently in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Ninfetanib Improves and Stabilizes Lung Function in Systemic Sclerosis

Patients who have systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease and received nintedanib were more likely to have improved lung function than patients who received a placebo, according to a new study. Not only did nintedanib improve forced vital capacity, but patients who received the drug were less likely to experience declining clinical status and more likely to see their conditions stabilize.

Anifrolumab Shows Efficiency in Systemic Lupus

ACR Annual Meeting:  In patients with moderate to severe systemic lupus erythematosus, anifrolumab (AstraZeneca) was superior to placebo for overall disease activity, skin disease and oral corticosteroid tapering, among other efficacy endpoints, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in Atlanta on November 12.

Researchers Try to Reverse the Aging Process for Arthritic Joints

ACR Annual Meeting:  Single intra-articular doses of UBX0101 of up to 4 mg were well-tolerated by patients with painful knee osteoarthritis, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in Atlanta on November 12. The treatment is in development, but if it pans out, it may reduce the effects aging on arthitic joints.

Emapalumab Shows Promise in Macrophage Activation Syndrome

ACR Annual Meeting:  In a small study, patients with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) receiving emapalumab (Gamifant, Sobi) achieved complete response, according to data presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in Atlanta on November 12.

Cannabis Use Up Among Patients with Rheumatic Diseases

ACR Annual Meeting:  Cannabis use among patients with rheumatic diseases has increased since 2014, and those who tried cannabis tended to have worse pain, disease activity, and symptoms and were taking more analgesics, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology in Atlanta on November 13.