{"title":"Safety of biologic agents for the management of rheumatic diseases during pregnancy.","authors":"Jonathan D D'Gama, Bonnie L Bermas","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001014","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>To discuss the current understanding regarding the use of biologic therapeutics in pregnancy.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the potential fetal and infant exposure to biologics as well as a growing body of empirical evidence from real world use of biologics in pregnancy have demonstrated that biologics are generally compatible preconception and during pregnancy. Long-term effects of exposure to biologic agents in utero are not known, but will be uncovered in time. Biosimilars, which are becoming more popular, may not always share the same safety profiles as their originators.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Biologics have revolutionized the management of rheumatologic disease and ushered in a new era of clinical remission among patients. These agents, developed and introduced into clinical use at the beginning of the new millennium, are very potent, yet their efficacy in treating disease often in reproductive aged women, raises questions regarding their safety during pregnancy. These therapeutics can cause immunosuppression and can inhibit immunologic circuits that are not only involved in disease pathophysiology but hypothetically could impact the development of the fetal immune system. Reassuringly, biologics, typically antibodies or antibody-based proteins, are introduced to the fetus via the typical route of transplacental antibody transfer, and thus only begin to be transferred in appreciable amounts in the second trimester (after organogenesis). From theoretic and empirical standpoints, biologic use during pregnancy appears well tolerated for fetal development and to not substantially affect infant immune development.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"184-190"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140058909","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cardiovascular complications of rheumatoid arthritis.","authors":"Elizabeth Park, Joan Bathon","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001004","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients remain at higher cardiovascular (CV) risk compared to non-RA patients, driven by accelerated atherosclerosis, leading to plaque rupture and acute CV events (CVE), including heart failure (HF). It has been hypothesized that chronic inflammation is the main driving force behind such outcomes. We summarize the current evidence supporting this hypothesis, focusing on arterial disease and myocardial disease.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>RA patients demonstrate higher prevalence of subclinical atherosclerosis (high risk plaque and arterial inflammation) compared to non-RA patients, with RA disease activity correlating independently with CVE and death. Nonischemic HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is more common in RA compared to non-RA, with subclinical myocardial structural and functional alterations also more prevalent in RA. HFpEF and myocardial remodeling and dysfunction bear a strong and independent association with inflammatory correlates.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>All of this suggests that inflammation contributes to enhanced risk of CVE in RA. A more accurate and specific CV risk stratification tool for RA, incorporating biomarkers or imaging, is needed. Likewise, more prospective studies outlining the trajectory from preclinical to clinical HF, incorporating biomarkers and imaging, are also needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"209-216"},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139706358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Chimeric antigen receptors: \"CARs\" in the fast lane for rheumatology.","authors":"Nathan M Johnson, Fotios Koumpouras","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001012","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Recent advances in hematology-oncology have pioneered cell-mediated elimination of pathologic B-cell populations employing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. In this review, we discuss recent adoption of CAR-T treatment for severe refractory autoimmune disease. We highlight unique aspects of the autoimmune model and review current clinical data regarding treatment of rheumatologic disease.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>To date, several CAR-Ts are FDA approved for Multiple Myeloma and B-cell malignancies and have demonstrated extraordinary clinical responses in refractory disease. Realizing the central role of B-cells in certain autoimmune diseases, CAR-T is now being explored for achieving drug-free remission induction, and potentially cure, of several rheumatologic diseases. The largest experience to date in the field of autoimmunity, building off the University Hospital Erlangen groups' earlier success treating a single patient with CD19-CAR in severe refractory SLE, Mackensen et al. enrolled five patients in a compassionate use program. Following autologous CD19-CAR T infusion, they demonstrated drug-free clinical and laboratory remission for at least 12 months in all five patients, with reconstitution of B cells expressing a naïve phenotype.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>CAR-T treatment has shown striking drug-free responses in severe lupus and other autoimmune diseases, creating a need for further exploration and development.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":"36 3","pages":"176-183"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2024-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11224568/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140184002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hemalatha Srinivasalu, Jessica Simpson, Matthew L Stoll
{"title":"Drug therapy in juvenile spondyloarthritis.","authors":"Hemalatha Srinivasalu, Jessica Simpson, Matthew L Stoll","doi":"10.1097/bor.0000000000001016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/bor.0000000000001016","url":null,"abstract":"This review summarizes latest developments in treatment of juvenile spondyloarthritis (JSpA), specifically enthesitis-related arthritis (ERA) and juvenile psoriatic arthritis (JPsA).","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":"25 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.1,"publicationDate":"2024-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140628472","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mary Catherine C Minnig, Yvonne M Golightly, Amanda E Nelson
{"title":"Epidemiology of osteoarthritis: literature update 2022-2023.","authors":"Mary Catherine C Minnig, Yvonne M Golightly, Amanda E Nelson","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000000985","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000000985","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review highlights recently published studies on osteoarthritis (OA) epidemiology, including topics related to understudied populations and joints, imaging, and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) methods.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Contemporary research has improved our understanding of the burden of OA in typically understudied regions, including ethnic and racial minorities in high-income countries, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Latin America. Efforts have also been made to explore the burden and risk factors in OA in previously understudied joints, such as the hand, foot, and ankle. Advancements in OA imaging techniques have occurred alongside the developments of AI methods aiming to predict disease phenotypes, progression, and outcomes.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Continuing efforts to expand our knowledge around OA in understudied populations will allow for the creation of targeted and specific interventions and inform policy changes aimed at reducing disease burden in these groups. The burden and disability associated with OA is notable in understudied joints, warranting further research efforts that may lead to effective therapeutic options. AI methods show promising results of predicting OA phenotypes and progression, which also may encourage the creation of targeted disease modifying OA drugs (DMOADs).</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":"36 2","pages":"108-112"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10965245/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139490048","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recent advances on neutrophil dysregulation in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases.","authors":"Jianing Chen, Xinyu Wang, Yudong Liu, Xuan Zhang","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000000986","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000000986","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The exact pathogenic mechanisms of rheumatic diseases (RMD) remain largely unknown. Increasing evidence highlights a pathogenic role of neutrophil dysregulation in the development of RMD.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The purpose of this review is to present a current overview of recent advancements in understanding the role of neutrophil dysfunction in the development of RMD. Additionally, this review will discuss strategies for targeting pathways associated with neutrophil dysregulation as potential treatments for RMD. One specific aspect of neutrophil dysregulation, known as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), will be explored. NETs have been found to contribute to chronic pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis, as well as serve as DNA scaffolds for binding autoantigens, including both citrullinated and carbamylated autoantigens. Putative therapies, such as 6-gingerol or defibrotide, have demonstrated beneficial effects in the treatment of RMD by suppressing NETs formation.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Recent advances have significantly reinforced the crucial role of neutrophil dysregulation in the pathogenesis of RMD. A deeper understanding of the potential mechanisms underlying this pathogenic process would aid in the development of more precise and effective targeting strategies, thus ultimately improving the outcomes of RMD.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"142-147"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71421648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Health disparities in gout.","authors":"Lindsay N Helget, Ted R Mikuls","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000000996","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000000996","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Gout, the most common type of inflammatory arthritis in the world, is characterized by painful episodes of arthritis linked by asymptomatic intercritical periods of hyperuricemia. Once characterized as a disease of wealthy white men, contemporary evidence demonstrates gout disproportionately afflicts racial/ethnic minorities, Indigenous populations and other underrepresented groups leading to significant health disparities.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Herein, we review the current literature reporting a higher incidence and prevalence of gout in racial/ethnic minorities and Indigenous populations, in addition to a growing gout burden reported in females. We also examine how these population are more likely to receive suboptimal treatment for flares and chronic phases of gout. Additionally, we examine biologic and social health determinants that may be contributing to these findings.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Racial/ethnic minorities, Indigenous populations, and females have experienced a disproportionate rise in the prevalence and incidence of gout in recent years, are more likely to seek acute medical care and are less likely to receive optimal long-term care for gout with urate lowering therapy. Mechanisms underpinning these findings appear to be multifactorial and include differences in social determinants of care and in some cases may be due to population differences in select biologic factors such as differences in age, sex, genetics.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"120-125"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138828694","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Vaccination updates and special considerations for systemic lupus erythematosus patients.","authors":"Jammie Law, Cristina Sorrento, Amit Saxena","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000000992","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000000992","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>We review the latest guidelines and note special considerations for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients when approaching vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, influenza, pneumococcus, herpes zoster, and potentially respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine in the future.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>SLE patients have unique infectious risks due to newer treatments and the nature of the disease itself. It is important to balance the benefit of additional protective immunity from updated vaccines against the possible risk of disease activity exacerbations.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>It is important to continuously evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of updated vaccines specifically for SLE patients. Additionally, the newly approved RSV vaccine should be considered for this population to reduce severe respiratory illness.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"148-153"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136396798","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Microbiome dynamics in rheumatic diseases.","authors":"Yiqing Wang, Zijun Wang, Qianjin Lu","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000000993","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000000993","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Rheumatic disease are characterized by their autoimmune nature, frequently affecting joints, bones, muscles, blood vessels, and connective tissues. The onset of these conditions typically unfolds gradually and subtly. It is noteworthy that individuals with rheumatic diseases often experience shifts in their microbiome, specifically on mucosal surfaces. The purpose of this review is to delve into the intricate interplay between the microbiome, encompassing bacteria, viruses and fungi, and its role in the development and aggravation of various rheumatic diseases. Additionally, it aims to offer insights into microbiome-centered therapeutic approaches for patients in the field of rheumatology.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The advent of next-generation sequencing has significantly improved our understanding of microbiome changes. Numerous studies have consistently revealed a strong link between rheumatism and the microbiome, especially in the oral and gut microbiota.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>A deeper comprehension of the microbiome's connection to rheumatism holds potential for enhancing disease diagnosis and treatment. Targeted therapeutic approaches, including probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and combination therapies with medications, offer promising avenues for disease management.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"134-141"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2024-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136396797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Vasculitis and the NLRP3 inflammasome.","authors":"Kamel Hamzaoui, Agnès Hamzaoui","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000000962","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000000962","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Vasculitis are a group of heterogeneous conditions characterized by chronic inflammation of blood vessels, leading to tissue destruction and organ failure. Vasculitis is an inflammatory process in which immune effector cells infiltrate blood vessels and surrounding tissues. The involvement of inflammasomes seems to occur during inflammatory processes.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Studies have emphasized that genetic susceptibility is an important aspect of the pathogenesis of vasculitis. The innate immune system is a major contributor to these inflammatory diseases, suggesting that the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays a key role. NLRP3 activation causes the assembly of a large multiprotein and leads to the secretion of bioactive interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 as well as the induction of inflammatory cell death, termed pyroptosis. Accumulating evidence confirms the involvement of this cascade in sterile inflammatory diseases and other vascular diseases.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>In this review, we will summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in vascular diseases, and discuss the potential of the NLRP3 inflammasome as a therapeutic target.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"9-15"},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10006782","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}