ACR Convergence 2025| Video: Rheum for Everyone, Episode 26—Ableism

An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

New Insights into Cartilage & Tendon Differentiation

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By examining the phenotypic plasticity of cartilage and tendon cells, researchers found that oxidative stress and P13K signaling pathways are key modulators of the phenotype of musculoskeletal cells. Using monolayer and three-dimensional cultures, the experiments confirmed that dedifferentiation occurs via reductions in expression of genes for cartilage (Col2a1, Agcn) and tendon (Tnmd, Serpinf1)…

Statin Use Tied to Attenuation of Tocilizumab-Mediated Lipid Increases

Reuters Staff  |  

NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—Statin treatment is associated with an attenuation of the increases in serum lipids experienced by rheumatoid arthritis patients on tocilizumab, according to a post-hoc analysis of clinical trials. Treatment with the interleukin-6 receptor-alpha inhibitor tocilizumab is known to raise total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. To explore the possible effect of…

CMS Cancels Medicare Part B Demonstration Project

From the College  |  

When the controversial Medicare Part B Drug Payment Model final rule was not released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as expected before Nov. 21, it signaled an increasing likelihood of defeat for the proposed rule—a signal proved true on Dec. 15. A spokesperson for the CMS said, “After considering comments, CMS…

When Chronic Pain Is Personal

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Opening up to patients about a medical condition is a personal choice for physicians. But for Richard Brasington, MD, who has chronic back pain and arthritis, it helps him communicate with and connect to some of his patients. In an interview, he provides insights into his experiences managing pain on the job…

Advocating Where It Counts: A Conversation with Incoming Government Affairs Committee Chair Angus Worthing, MD, FACR, FACP

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As he prepares to take on his newest volunteer role with the ACR, leading the Government Affairs Committee (GAC), Angus Worthing, MD, FACR, FACP, is looking forward to making the most of the opportunities that a unified government can offer the ACR in advocating for rheumatology care. “Advocacy is an investment in our profession—regardless of…

McConnell Will Not Give Timeline for Obamacare Replacement

Patricia Zengerle  |  

WASHINGTON (Reuters)—U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) says the Senate will move to repeal President Barack Obama’s healthcare law shortly after Jan. 1, but declined to give a timeline for a plan to replace it. McConnell says the Senate would vote as soon as it returns from its year-end recess to repeal Obamacare. “And…

U.S. Supreme Court Declines to Hear Biologic Drug Patent Fight

Brendan Pierson  |  

WASHINGTON (Reuters)—The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a case over whether companies that make copycat versions of biologic drugs must wait six months after winning federal approval before bringing them to the market. The justices opted not to take up Apotex Inc.’s appeal of a July federal appeals court ruling that could…

Trump Considering Dr. Scott Gottlieb to Head U.S. FDA

Toni Clarke  |  

(Reuters)—Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a partner at one of the world’s largest venture capital funds and a former deputy commissioner at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is being considered by President-Elect Donald Trump to run the agency, according to sources close to the transition team. Gottlieb, 44, a venture partner at New Enterprise Associates and…