Breaking Ground: New Treatments for Sjögren's Disease and Psoriatic Arthritis from ACR 2024

One of the most discussed advancements was Nipocalimab, a treatment presented by Johnson & Johnson. As Sjogren’s disease currently has no approved therapies, this development marks a monumental step forward.

How It Works:

• Nipocalimab targets IgG autoantibodies, preventing their recycling and effectively “starving” them.

This leads to reduced disease activity, as the chain reaction of inflammation is halted.

Clinical Trial Progress:

• Nipocalimab is currently in phase two trials, showing promising safety and efficacy results. If these findings hold, the treatment will move to phase three trials and, potentially, to market.

Why It Matters: Patients with Sjogren’s disease have long waited for targeted therapies to address the underlying mechanisms of the disease. If successful, Nipocalimab could be the first approved treatment, offering hope for improved symptom management and quality of life.

Takeda unveiled a new treatment targeting psoriatic arthritis: a TYK2 (Tyk2) inhibitor. This oral therapy builds on the success of JAK inhibitors while introducing more targeted inhibition.

How It Works:

• Tyk2 inhibitors focus specifically on the Tyk2 pathway, which plays a crucial role in immune system regulation.

Unlike JAK inhibitors, which target multiple pathways, Tyk2 inhibition is more selective, potentially reducing side effects while maintaining effectiveness.

Clinical Trial Progress:

• Trials evaluated various doses (5 mg, 15 mg, and 30 mg), with the 15 mg and 30 mg doses showing significant improvements.
• By 12 weeks, many patients reported low disease activity or remission.



Why It Matters: Psoriatic arthritis can be difficult to manage, with patients often cycling through multiple therapies. The introduction of Tyk2 inhibitors offers an innovative option for those who may not respond well to existing treatments.

Both therapies underscore the rapid pace of innovation in autoimmune disease treatment. Here’s how they could improve patient lives:

Targeted Relief:

• Both Nipocalimab and Tyk2 inhibitors aim to address specific mechanisms of disease, offering more precise and effective treatment options.

Expanded Options:

• For patients who haven’t found success with current therapies, these new treatments provide additional avenues for disease management.



Potential Remission:

• Early data suggests that both treatments may lead to remission for some patients, a game-changing possibility for those living with chronic inflammation.

While these treatments are still in clinical trials, the progress is promising. With continued research, the hope is that these therapies will soon be accessible to patients, offering new hope for better disease management and quality of life.

Stay tuned for more updates from ACR 2024 as we continue to see breakthroughs that shape the future of autoimmune care.