Abstract 2690: Food as a Medicine Mediterranean vs low-calorie DASH vs control diet in PsA (multicenter RCT): 🔹 All 3 groups showed significant weight loss & DAPSA by wk 24 🔹 Weight loss not diet type may be the driver of clinical improvement Dr. John Cush #ACR25

TAC+MMF + GC vs TAC +GC in lupus nephritis (target trial emulation): 🔹Higher total renal response w/ TAC + MMF + GC at 12 mo (59.7% vs 33.3%) consistent in ITT & per-protocol 🔹similar adverse events reported (14.6% vs 16.4%) Dr. John Cush #ACR25

Biologic choice in PsA: consider factoring in obesity ⚖️ Abstract 2691: In a longitudinal cohort study, obesity associated with ↓ odds of achieving minimal disease activity (MDA) among pts on TNFi, but not with other DMARDs Dr. John Cush #ACR25

Abstract 2687: GLP-1 RA in PsA In combined Toronto + NYU cohort, GLP-1 RA significantly associated with reduced: - Weight, CRP, and pain scores - Each 1% reduction in body weight associated w/ TJC, DAPSA, EQ-5D (QoL), LDL, Systolic BP Dr. John Cush #ACR25

Abstract 2694: Neutrophil:Lymphocyte ratio (NLR)- a practical step towards clinical monitoring of interferon? Log₂NLR significantly correlated with all three IFN signatures across patients with SLE, systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and myositis Dr. John Cush #ACR25

GLP-1 RA vs DPP4i & risk of rheumatic disease: propensity score matched cohort study using TriNetX 🔹 Lower incidence of OA, RA & gout w/ GLP-1 RA 🔹 No significant differences for PsA, SSc, axSpA, or SLE Dr. John Cush #ACR25

CAR-T vs bispecific antibodies - what's the difference? Andrew Yee, MD @MGHCancerCenter with the heme-onc point of view in the #ACR25 BCRC Dr. John Cush

Another toxicity signal to watch in the CAR T space: LICATs Abstract 1537 reports a new immune-related toxicity distinct from CRS or ICANS: 🔹Affects organs prev involved in autoimmune dx: skin (35%) and kidneys (22%) 🔹Mostly mild (Grade 1–2); 3 cases Grade 3 Dr. John Cush #ACR25

Abstract 1563: Ongoing Phase 1/2 trial of Rese-cel CAR-T in systemic sclerosis 🔹Pt with severe skin involvement showed improvement in mRSS (42→34), PFTs & nailfold capillaroscopy at 6 mo 🔹Grade 2 CRS, no ICANS or DLT reported Early but exciting findings Dr. John Cush #ACR25

LB04: Another approach to CAR-T, CD20+/BCMA bispecific CAR-T in refractory proliferative LN: 🔹100% discontinued biologics & IS at follow-up 🔹Renal response ~78% 🔹CRS mostly Grade 1–2 (~70%); ≥Grade 3 AEs = transient & hematologic Dr. John Cush #ACR25

LB23: Regulate-RA- ongoing Phase 1 trial of autologous CAR-Tregs in refractory RA (no lymphodepletion) 🔹 4/6 pts had ↓ DAS28-CRP by wk 4 with rapid onset & ↓ joint counts at dose level 2 🔹 Synovial biopsies to date showed ↓ inflammatory score post-tx Dr. John Cush #ACR25

2465: Dual-target CD19/BCMA CAR-T in refractory SLE (Phase 1) 🔹All pts (n=10) met SRI-4 by wk24 🔹DORIS remission: 5 (wk24), 6 (wk36–48) 🔹Residual proteinuria (n=4); renal bx (n=3) showed resolved IC deposits & inflammation 🔹CRS Grade 1 (n=6); no ICANS Dr. John Cush #ACR25

Catching AxSpA Early: Closing the Diagnostic Gap Dr. Akhil Sood reports on abstract 2635 and abstract 2636 presented at #ACR25. buff.ly/tUjEo9q

"Personally I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught." – Winston Churchill

Outstanding session on Hot topics in LupusNephritis. Covered it all, from next-gen treatment targets to complement inhibition. Fantastic lineup moderated by Dr. Sayna Norouzi, MD, FASN and Dr. Mejia-Vilet. #KidneyWk

B Cell Depletion: Check the Lymph Node Dr. Akhil Sood reports on abstract 2695 (B-cell depletion and lymphoid follicle disruption upon different B-cell depleting agents) presented at #ACR25. buff.ly/u6r33Bl

A groundbreaking paper by Shady Younis et al. Stanford Immunology provides an answer to the long-standing question about how EBV infections are linked to lupus. A short thread to explain the key findings. (1/) science.org/doi/10.1126/sc…

Check out our podcast on CAR T where Alfred Kim Md Yuzaiful Md Yusof #PhilipMease and I discuss the latest on CAR T with Jack Cush Dr. John Cush

Learned more immunology by becoming a neuroscientist. Learned more about treating inflammation through neuromodulation. Learned more about academia by working with industry. Learned more about running a lab by starting companies. Interdisciplinary is not an upgrade, it's the

Today is Match Day! ⁠ ⁠ We would like to offer a sincere #WashUDeptMed welcome to our newly matched 2026 fellows for the Department of Medicine Division of WashU Rheumatology *Inactive ⁠ We welcome to WashU Medicine and wish you all much success! #MatchDay