Research Rheum

A Unique Breed: RheumMadness 2022 Dalmatian Urate Scouting Report

University of Texas Southwestern Rheumatology Fellowship Program: Kubra Bugdayli, MD; Brett Capel, MD; Yusuf Chao, MD; Melissa DeFoe, MD; Daniel Emesiani, MD; Joad Eseddi, MD; Nagendra Pokala, MD; Komal Patel, MD; Bonnie Bermas, MD; Haidy Galous, MD; Andreas Reimold, MD; & Guillermo Andres Quiceno, MD | February 14, 2022

Dalmatians have defects in the renal tubular reabsorption of filtered urate and the hepatic conversion of uric acid to allantoin that may provide unique insights into uric acid homeostasis, with implications for the treatment and management of gout.

Standing on a Hidden Burden: The Oft-Overlooked Problem of Foot and Ankle Osteoarthritis

Regeneration: RheumMadness 2022 Axolotl Limbs Scouting Report

Wake Forest School of Medicine Rheumatology Fellowship Program: Khiem Vu, MD; Alyssa Strazanac, MD; John Herion, DO; & Rami Diab, MD | February 14, 2022

Daily living, such as walking, jumping and going up stairs, can be difficult for patients with osteoarthritis (OA). Research on the regenerative limbs of the axolotl and the human ankle provides insights into the potential of this process in humans and its implications for hip, knee and ankle OA.

Research Roundup: Abstract Data Presented at ACR Convergence 2021

Keri Losavio | February 11, 2022

The research presented at ACR Convergence 2021 had a broad scope. Below are details on three studies that addressed cardiovascular safety in treat-to-target strategies, phase 2 study results on the efficacy of tigulixostat and the impact of patient preference on treatment adherence. Take our quiz after you read this article. Treat to Target Abstract L06:…

An Oral Targeted Therapy: RheumMadness 2022 Pim Kinases Scouting Report

Residents from the RheumMadness Leadership Team: Michael Macklin, MD, PharmD; Ben Kellogg, MD; Lauren He, MD; & David Leverenz, MD | February 8, 2022

According to research, Pim kinases contribute to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and may have the therapeutic potential for inhibition in patients with RA.

Targeting Disease-Causing Cells: RheumMadness 2022 Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cells Scouting Report

Mass General Hospital Rheumatology Fellowship Program: Guy Katz, MD; Ian Cooley, MD; Duncan Moore, MD; Jacquelyn Nestor, MD, PhD; & Steven Witte, MD, PhD | February 8, 2022

CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapies may have the potential to treat rheumatic diseases in which current therapeutic options are limited, such as lupus, interstitial lung disease and systemic sclerosis.

‘Nothing but NET[osis]’: RheumMadness 2022 Anti-NET Antibodies Scouting Report

The UNC Rheumatology Fellowship Program: Leah Bettner, MD; Shruti Chandramouli, MD; Christopher Overton, MD; Astia Allenzara, MD; Michael Cunningham, MD; & Luis Palomino, MD | February 8, 2022

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) contribute to the pathogenesis of multiple autoimmune diseases. And research has shown that patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) have higher levels of circulating anti-NET antibodies than healthy controls, indicating a potential biomarker.

Highlights from ACR Convergence’s Late-Breaking Abstracts

Samantha C. Shapiro, MD | February 2, 2022

COVID-19 vaccination, treatments for rheumatic disease and more—the Late-Breaking Abstracts session of ACR Convergence 2021 highlighted six studies with implications for rheumatology.

Risk of IBD in Patients with Psoriasis, PsA & Ankylosing Spondylitis Starting IL-17 Inhibitors

Arthritis & Rheumatology | February 2, 2022

In February A&R, Penso et al. reported on the results of their study, which explored whether patients with psoriasis, PsA and AS have a higher risk of developing IBD when treated with an IL-17 inhibitor compared with apremilast, a phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor, or etanercept, a TNF inhibitor.

Study: Pegloticase & Methotrexate Co-Treatment Helps Uncontrolled Gout

Vanessa Caceres | January 10, 2022

A larger proportion of patients with gout had a therapeutic response at six months when treated with methotrexate and pegloticase than with pegloticase alone, according to results from the multi-center, open-label MIRROR (methotrexate to increase response rates in patients with uncontrolled gout receiving KRYSTEXXA) study, recently published in the Journal of Rheumatology.1 The MIRROR study…

COVID-19 Vaccination in Patients with Rheumatic Disease

Arthritis & Rheumatology | January 5, 2022

In January A&R, Simon et al. report a study to assess humoral and cellular immune responses after infection with, or vaccination against, SARS-CoV-2 in patients with B cell depletion and controls who are B cell competent, finding that B cell depletion completely blocks humoral but not T cell SARS-CoV-2 vaccination response. In the same issue, Connolly et al. evaluated disease flare and post-vaccination reactions in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases following messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccination.