A Novel Blood-based Assay That Predicts Clinical Response to TNFα Inhibitors or Janus Kinase Inhibitors in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

The study presents a novel blood-based assay that uses active chromatin cell-free DNA (cfDNA) signals to predict clinical response to TNFα inhibitors (TNFi) or Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The assay leverages machine learning classifiers to differentiate responders from non-responders with high sensitivity and specificity. This could help personalize treatment plans and improve outcomes for RA patients.

A Qualitative Exploration of Oral Healthcare Needs Amongst Canadian Patients with Rheumatic Diseases and Their Providers

The study explores oral healthcare needs among Canadian patients with rheumatic diseases and their healthcare providers. Using qualitative methods, it examines how patients perceive their oral health, how they and their providers approach oral care, and the challenges they face. Key themes include oral health perception, strategies for optimizing oral health, communication barriers, and the need for improved models of care

A Patient-Focused Program for Using Steroids Wisely

The study introduces the "Steroids and Me" (SAM) program, a patient-focused initiative designed to help patients use steroids wisely. Developed through collaboration between academic physicians, patients, patient advocacy groups, and industry leaders, SAM provides educational resources and practical support to optimize steroid use. The program includes a web-based platform with resources on managing steroid side effects and tracking patient health, aiming to facilitate shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers

Analysis of Body Composition in Patients with Moderate-Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Anti-TNF Drugs

The study presents a machine learning-based smart web application designed to predict steroid-induced hyperglycemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The application uses a random forest classifier trained on real-world data, achieving 88% accuracy in predicting hyperglycemia. The goal is to provide a personalized medicine approach, helping clinicians tailor glucocorticoid therapy to individual patients and minimize side effects

Annual Cost of Biologic Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The study examines the annual cost of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It highlights that biologics are expensive, with annual costs ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 per patient. These high costs can pose a significant financial burden on patients, even with insurance coverage.

Characterizing Infusion-Related Reactions in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Biologic DMARDs: Observations from the KOBIO Registry

The study investigates infusion-related reactions (IRRs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs), using data from the Korean College of Rheumatology Biologics (KOBIO) registry. Among 1,831 RA patients, 177 (9.7%) experienced IRRs. Factors such as younger age, higher CRP levels, and prior use of specific conventional DMARDs were associated with a higher risk of IRRs. The study suggests that abatacept or tocilizumab may be preferred options for patients with these risk factors.

Sustained Patient Meaningful Outcomes of Pain and Fatigue Relief and Improved Physical Functioning with Filgotinib in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Post Hoc Analysis

The study presents a post hoc analysis of the Phase 3 FINCH 1 and FINCH 2 trials, evaluating sustained patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with filgotinib (FIL). The analysis found that FIL (both 100 mg and 200 mg) provided early and sustained improvements in pain, fatigue, and physical functioning compared to placebo. These improvements were maintained over time, indicating that FIL could be a promising treatment option for RA patients seeking long-term relief

Effects of Anti-Obesity Medications in RA Patients

The study investigates the effects of anti-obesity medications (AOM), specifically semaglutide and tirzepatide, on patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The findings indicate that treatment with AOM led to significant weight loss and improvements in acute phase reactants (ESR and CRP), pain visual analogue scale (VAS), and lipid levels. However, gastrointestinal side effects and insurance issues were common reasons for discontinuation.

Evaluating Meaningful Within-Person Change Thresholds in PROMIS-Fatigue Scores from Three Phase 3 Clinical Trials of Sarilumab for Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Empirical Cumulative Distribution Function (eCDF) Curves

The study evaluates meaningful within-person change thresholds in PROMIS-Fatigue scores from three Phase 3 clinical trials of sarilumab for rheumatoid arthritis. Using empirical cumulative distribution function (eCDF) curves, the researchers assessed changes in fatigue over time. The results showed that RA patients reported high baseline fatigue, and those receiving sarilumab had significant improvements in fatigue scores compared to placebo and adalimumab. The eCDF curves demonstrated clear separation between active treatment and placebo groups, indicating substantial patient-level improvements

Development of Next Generation CAR T Cell Therapy for the Off-the-shelf Treatment of Autoimmune Diseases Without Conditioning Chemotherapy

This study explores the development of next-generation CAR-T cell therapy for treating autoimmune diseases without the need for conditioning chemotherapy. The objective is to create a safer and more effective therapy by engineering T cells to target and eliminate pathogenic cells causing autoimmune responses. Early results are promising, showing a reduction in autoimmune symptoms without the harsh side effects of traditional treatments. Overall, the study suggests that this new approach could potentially transform the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Safety and Preliminary Efficacy of CD19 CAR-T Cell Treatment in Rheumatic Disease – Data from the First Part of the Phase I/II CASTLE Basket Study



This study evaluates the safety and preliminary efficacy of CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in patients with rheumatic diseases as part of the CASTLE (CAR-T cells in systemic B cell-mediated autoimmune disease) phase I/II basket trial. It includes patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM), and systemic sclerosis (SSc). The key findings reveal that the treatment was generally well-tolerated, with cytokine-release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) being the most common adverse events. Additionally, the therapy led to deep depletion of B cells and showed promising clinical responses in some patients.

Safety and Long-term Efficacy of CD19-CAR T-cell Therapy in 30 Patients with Autoimmune Disease

This study evaluates the safety and long-term efficacy of CD19 CAR T-cell therapy in 30 patients with autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), idiopathic inflammatory myositis (IIM), and systemic sclerosis (SSc). Key findings indicate that the therapy was highly tolerable with no higher-grade toxicities. Patients with SLE and IIM achieved long-standing drug-free remission, while those with SSc showed no disease progression. Additionally, there was minimal recurrence of the disease even years after the intervention.

Key Takeaways for Patients

• Novel blood-based assays and machine learning applications can help personalize treatment plans and minimize side effects in rheumatoid arthritis patients.
• Patient-focused initiatives like the "Steroids and Me" program provide valuable resources to support optimal medication use.
• Integrated care models addressing oral health are crucial for patients with rheumatic diseases.
• Filgotinib may offer sustained benefits for rheumatoid arthritis patients seeking long-term symptom relief.
• Anti-obesity medications may have a role in managing rheumatoid arthritis, although side effects and access issues need to be addressed.
• Next-generation CAR-T cell therapy shows promise as a potentially transformative treatment for autoimmune diseases, offering improved safety and efficacy.

The ACR Conference 2024 abstracts underscore the rapid advancements in medications and therapies for rheumatic diseases. These innovations hold promise for improving treatment outcomes, patient safety, and quality of life for individuals with rheumatic diseases.