2017
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Biosimilars having little impact on U.S. market
Biosimilars are a great idea whose time has not come, at least not in the United States. “The whole rationale behind biosimilars is that they would be as effective, as safe, and considerably cheaper than the reference product,” said Roy Fleischmann, MD, MACR. “For my…
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Virtual reality shows promising results for pain management
With an ongoing opioid epidemic spreading across the United States, clinicians are increasingly looking for alternative pain management strategies. Virtual reality therapy has gained the attention of clinicians across a variety of specialties and may prove useful in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. An expert…
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TNF inhibition offers a first step toward RA cure
TNF blockers are big science and big business. Three TNF inhibitors are among the top seven best-selling drugs in the world. “If you thought that experimental medicine doesn’t lead to money-making products, think again,” said Sir Ravinder N. Maini, MB, BChir, Emeritus Professor at Imperial…
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Study points to possible treatment for Sjögren’s syndrome
Results from a proof-of-concept study presented Monday during Plenary Session II suggest that CFZ533, a blocking, non-depleting anti-CD40 antibody, may offer a new treatment modality in clinically active primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). Benjamin Fisher, MD, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Rheumatology at the University of Birmingham,…
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IL-6 shows promise in treating RA, other inflammatory diseases
IL-6 is emerging as a key therapeutic target in chronic inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), cancer, coronary heart disease, and Crohn’s disease. In RA, inhibiting IL-6 by blocking the IL-6 receptor can be even more effective than inhibiting TNFα. “IL-6 is part of a…
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Pharmacy specialists offer benefits for patients, clinicians at pediatric clinic
When specialists work together, clinicians and patients alike can experience the positive effects. Such has been the case for a pediatric specialty clinic that has incorporated a specialty pharmacy into its practice. During an ARHP Clinical Practice session on Tuesday, the team behind this strategy…
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Mapping a better path to OA treatment
On the path to improved osteoarthritis (OA) management, how good is today’s map? During this year’s ARHP Distinguished Lecture: Moving Toward Better Osteoarthritis Management, Kelli D. Allen, PhD, with the Thurston Arthritis Research Center at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and the Center…
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Experts to consider diagnostic dilemmas in myositis
When treating patients with myositis, rheumatologists must be cognizant of several considerations that could have severe — even fatal — consequences if left untreated. The 90-minute clinical symposium Hot Topics in Myositis, starting at 4:30 pm Tuesday in Room 20 D, will provide a thorough…
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New classification criteria coming for ANCA-associated vasculitis
The widespread adoption of testing for antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) in clinical practice exposed limitations to the 1990 ACR-endorsed classification criteria for vasculitis. That has led to the development of new classification criteria for the different forms of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) — granulomatosis with polyangiitis…
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Curbside Consult offers guidance for lupus-related conditions
This year’s Curbside Consult: Ask the Professors session tackled three tricky treatment challenges for various aspects of lupus, including resistant membranous lupus nephritis, small-fiber neuropathies, and hair loss. “There is hope on the horizon for therapies for patients with refractory nephrotic syndrome or proteinuria,” said…