Let’s Discuss Part 2: More Insights from the ACR Convergence 2025 Review Course

Finally, Dr. Stone discussed eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), a condition that, among other things, can cause devastating vasculitic neuropathy. IL-5 inhibition has been a mainstay of treatment in recent years, and this can be done with either mepolizumab or benralizumab. For severe cases of EGPA, such as with neuropathy or cardiomyopathy, patients are typically treated with high-dose glucocorticoids and rituximab; cyclophosphamide is also a consideration. Looking to the future, Dr. Stone was bullish on the concept that CAR T cell therapy can be applied to patients with vasculitis and expressed the hope that this may obviate the need for ongoing treatment with medications like rituximab, which he views as problematic when it is used every six months for indefinite periods of time.

All told, the Review Course was a masterful display of clinical and basic science insights. The audience left much the wiser and excited to apply the lessons learned to the care of their patients, both across the country and around the world.

Dr. Jason Liebowitz

Jason Liebowitz, MD, FACR, is an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Rheumatology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York.

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