The Editorial Board recommends...

Sunday, November 10, 11:45–12:00. Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, USA

Presenting author: Atul Deodhar, USA

TRIAL RESULTS PUBLISHED | Read the full story

What our Advisory Board said:

This will provide the first phase III data in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) for a p19/anti-IL23 antibody. These are being used increasingly frequently in dermatology practice for psoriasis. It is important to assess the efficacy on musculoskeletal symptoms as well as skin disease, in order to help choose biologics optimally for our patients with psoriasis and PsA.

– Laura Coates, UK

Sunday, November 10, 16:45–17:00. Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, USA

Presenting author: Ronald van Vollenhoven, Netherlands

What our Editorial Board said:

The SELECT-EARLY trial should provide more information regarding whether or not the JAK1 selective inhibitor upadacitinib continues to compare favorably with methotrexate as monotherapy in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA).  If the results are impressive, and there are no new safety signals, there will be even more intense discussion of the best choice for initial therapy in RA.

– Marc D Cohen, USA

Sunday, November 10, 16:45–17:00. Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, USA

Presenting author: Hilde B Hammer, Norway

What our Editorial Board said:

This prospective cohort study evaluates the impact of using a treat-to-target (T2T) approach for control of serum uric acid (sUA) levels on ultrasonographic detection of monosodium urate (MSU) crystal deposition, such as presence of tophi or the double contour sign.

The results of a 2-year follow-up of a 207 patient cohort, with intermediate analysis at 12 months, show that most patients achieved therapeutic sUA targets, and that there was a sharp reduction in ultrasound-detected of crystal deposits. This confirms the impact of a T2T strategy on reduction of MSU crystal deposits.

– Fernando Pérez-Ruiz, Spain

Sunday, November 10, 17:00–17:15. Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, USA

Presenting author: Irene van der Horst-Bruinsma, Netherlands

TRIAL RESULTS PUBLISHED | Read the full story

What our Advisory Board said:

This is an important analysis for those treating resistant uveitis where certolizumab may have shown efficacy.

– Laura Coates, UK

Sunday, November 10, 17:00–17:15. Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, USA

Presenting author: Stanley B Cohen, USA

What our Editorial Board said:

This is the first phase II trial of a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) identified as a population with existing unmet medical need.  This reasonably sized trial should provide useful information regarding whether or not this anticipated class of biologics demonstrates significant clinical efficacy in a challenging subset of previously treated patients with RA.

– Marc D Cohen, USA

Sunday, November 10, 17:00–17:15. Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, USA

Presenting author: Grant Schulert, USA

What our Editorial Board said:

This abstract is important because lung disease in systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis is increasingly being recognized as an important cause of death. Being able to identify which patients may be at increased risk for this complication is important.

– Sangeeta Sule, USA

Monday, November 11, 15:15–15:30. Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, USA

Presenting author: Nicolino Ruperto, Italy

What our Editorial Board said:

This trial is of interest to pediatric rheumatologists because it shows that abatacept can be used effectively with or without concomitant methotrexate. This suggests that children may not need to be treated with both methotrexate and abatacept in order to have disease control.

– Sangeeta Sule, USA

Tuesday, November 12, 11:15–11:30. Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, USA

Presenting author: Désirée van der Heijde, Netherlands

TRIAL RESULTS PUBLISHED | Read the full story

What our Advisory Board said:

The first data for upadacitinib, a new JAK inhibitor, in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) will show us whether there is a viable oral medication, with a different mode of action to previously approved biologics, that can treat AS.

– Laura Coates, UK

Tuesday, November 12, 17:15–17:30. Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, USA

Presenting author: Gabriela Sandoval Plata, UK

What our Editorial Board said:

It has been hypothesized that monosodium urate (MSU) crystals may induce chronic, subclinical inflammatory responses in the absence of acute inflammation. This may explain, at least in part, the association of MSU crystal deposition and increased vascular risk. This study intends to link inflammasome-related genes in a sample of patients with asymptomatic MSU crystal deposits.

The results indicate differences in immune-associated gene expression, suggesting that asymptomatic MSU crystal deposits may have an impact on systemic inflammation.

– Fernando Pérez-Ruiz, Spain

Wednesday, November 13, 09:00–09:15. Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, USA

Presenting author: Antonio Nino, USA

What our Editorial Board said:

This trial is of interest because it shows that belimumab is effective for children with systemic lupus erythematosus. The implication is that belimumab can be used in the pediatric population just as it is for adults.

– Sangeeta Sule, USA