Costantino Pitzalis, MD, PhD, FRCP, detailed his work to identify predictive molecular biomarkers to inform trial design, including studies to investigate the response to abatacept in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis, as well as the response to sarilumab and etanercept.

In Plenary III, researchers including Chi Chiu Mok, MD, FRCP, discussed new data on pregnancy and vasculitis, synovial lining fibroblasts, therapeutic targets in refractory lupus nephritis, premature mortality in gout, bone mineral density, and glucocorticoid use and cardiovascular health.

Investigation into chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells for the treatment of autoimmune diseases is still in its infancy. Panelists including Michel Sadelain, MD, PhD, discussed the fundamentals of CAR-T cell engineering and highlighted novel approaches.

Cardiologists who have been working closely with rheumatologists to pursue further care and research of rheumatic conditions discussed the cardiovascular factors to consider and tools for cardiovascular risk assessment. Brittany Weber, MD, PhD, highlighted the versatility of colchicine for risk prevention.

Language barriers are associated with lower-quality clinical outcomes, increased length of stays in the hospital, and higher rates of readmission. Bella Elogoodin, MBA, described how language services enhance patient safety, improve health equity, and increase patient satisfaction.