January 2024

Implementation of Regulatory Guidance for JAK Inhibitors Use in Patients with Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases: An International Appropriateness Study

Autoimmun Rev. 2023;23(3):103504 doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103504 Epub ahead of print

In this two-round modified RAM study by Solitano, et al., the authors found that experts preferred to assess JAK inhibitor risk on a case-by-case basis across all specialties. Uncertainty remained on several clinical scenarios regarding the appropriate use of JAK inhibitors, however they remain an important therapy option for the treatment of IMIDs  and were deemed appropriate for patients with moderate risk profiles.

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December 2023

Patient Clusters Identified by Machine Learning from a Pooled Analysis of the Clinical Development Programme of Secukinumab in Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis with Axial Manifestations

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2023;42(3):696–701 doi: 10.55563/clinexprheumatol/b8co74

Psoriatic arthritis clusters, obtained by machine learning (ML) analysis of pooled data from the FUTURE, MEASURE, and MAXIMISE trials, indicate phenotypical heterogeneity of patients with PsA and axial manifestations and overlapping features across the spondyloarthritis spectrum. Here, Baraliakos, et al. sort to identify distinct clinical clusters, based on patient demographics and baseline clinical indicators, from the secukinumab clinical development programme.

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Malignancy in the Upadacitinib Clinical Trials for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, and Non-radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis

Rheumatol Ther 2023;11(1):97–112 doi 10.1007/s40744-023-00621-6

Rates of malignancy were similar between upadacitinib, adalimumab, and MTX. They were also consistent across RA, PsA, AS and nr-axSpA. A dose-dependent increased rate of NMSC was observed with upadacitinib in RA. For RA and PsA, being older (≥65 years) and male was associated with
an increased risk of malignancy excluding NMSC.

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November 2023

Global, Regional, and National Burden of Other Musculoskeletal Disorders, 1990–2020, and Projections to 2050: A Systematic Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Lancet Rheumatol 2023;5:e670–82 doi 10.1016/S2665-9913(23)00232-1

As part of the GBD 2021, the authors provide updated estimates for the global burden of musculoskeletal disorders, excluding RA, osteoarthritis, low back pain, neck pain, and gout. In 2020, the total years lived with disability globally was estimated to be 42.7 million, which was a 122% increase from 1990. Over the same time period, mortality increased by 199%. The study forecasts an increase in cases by 2050 in all regions, with the exception of Central Europe.

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October 2023

Anti-gm-csf Otilimab versus Sarilumab or Placebo in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inadequate Response to Targeted Therapies: A Phase III Randomised Trial (contRAst 3)

Ann Rheum Dis. 2023;82(12):1527–1537 doi 10.1136/ard-2023-224449

The ContRAst 3 study investigated otilimab, in RA patients with inadequate responses to multiple treatments. Otilimab did not significantly improve ACR20 versus placebo at Weeks 12 or 24. In addition, there we no significant improvements in secondary endpoints, including disease activity, disability, and pain.

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Prevention of Radiographic Progression in Higher-Risk Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Filgotinib in Phase III Studies: Narrative Review of Post Hoc Analyses

Rheumatol Ther. 2023;10(6):1399–1415 doi: 10.1007/s40744-023-00590-w

Findings from post hoc analyses extend the knowledge base for radiographic benefits of filgotinib in patients with RA.

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September 2023

Differential Properties of Janus Kinase Inhibitors in the Treatment of Immune-mediated Inflammatory Diseases

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023;63(2):298–308 doi 10.1093/rheumatology/kead448

JAKis differ in structure, which affects their inhibitory concentration for different JAKs.

This review by Taylor, et al. compares the pharmacological profiles of JAKis, including abrocitinib, baricitinib, filgotinib, peficitinib, tofacitinib, and upadacitinib.

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The Risk and Predictors of Malignancies in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients in Israel—A Retrospective Electronic Data-Based Study

J Clin Med. 2023;12(15):5153 doi: 10.3390/jcm12155153

Findings from a retrospective electronic data-based study, assessing risk of overall and site-specific malignancies for AS patients in Israel, emphasize the importance of maintaining the routine observation of patients with AS to identify the early development of cancer.

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Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Ixekizumab in Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis: 3-year Data from the COAST Program

J Rheumatol. 2023;50(8):1020–1028 doi: 10.3899/jrheum.221022

Three-year data from the ixekizumab (IXE) COAST programme provide additional evidence that patients with axSpA receiving IXE experience long-term safety, and sustained improvements in efficacy outcomes, at 3 years.

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Guselkumab Modulates Differentially Expressed Genes in Blood of Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis: Results from Two Phase 3, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trials

ACR Open Rheumatol. 2023 doi: 10.1002/acr2.11589

Whole blood transcriptome profiling reveals differential gene expression in patients with active PsA from the DISCOVER-1 and DISCOVER-2 clinical studies in comparison with healthy controls.

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