{"title":"Genetics of vasculitis.","authors":"Gökhan Keser, Mehmet Soy, Kenan Aksu","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001208","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/BOR.0000000000001208","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Systemic vasculitis arises on a background of genetic predisposition shaped by HLA and non-HLA variations, triggered by environmental factors. This review summarizes recent genomic information translating molecular discoveries into clinical risk stratification.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>In large vessel vasculitis group, giant cell arteritis is associated with MHC class II, especially HLA-DRB1*04 alleles. Somatic TET2 mutations increase the risk of GCA-associated vision loss. Association of some genetic variants with different subgroups of GCA was also reported. On the other hand, Takayasu arteritis is associated with MHC class I region, predominantly HLA-B*52, predicting aggressive vascular remodeling and the need for early surgical intervention. In medium-vessel vasculitis group, specific genetic factors, associated with polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) could not be shown. However, recessive CECR1 (ADA2) mutations define a monogenic mimic of PAN, known as DADA2, that manifests as early-onset strokes. In Kawasaki disease, a complex polygenic model exists involving HLA-DRB1*15:01 for susceptibility and HLA-DRB1*14:01 for coronary lesions. ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) better correlates with autoantibody status rather than with clinical phenotypes. PR3-ANCA exhibits a strong association with HLA-DPB1*0401 and SERPINA1 variants, predicting chronic relapses. MPO-ANCA is linked to HLA-DQ loci, predisposing patients to rapidly progressing glomerulonephritis. Association of certain HLA susceptibility markers with different subgroups of AAV was also reported. Finally, Behçet's syndrome exhibits strong epistatic interactions with HLA-B*51 and ERAP1.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Genomic mapping reveals not only associations of specific genetic variations with different vasculitis but also their effects to determine clinical subgroups, ischemic risk, and clinical outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149220066","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}
Carlos Rosa-Baez, Carlos Rangel-Peláez, Laura Martínez-Gutiérrez, Marialbert Acosta-Herrera, Javier Martín
{"title":"Clinical application of genomic advances in systemic sclerosis.","authors":"Carlos Rosa-Baez, Carlos Rangel-Peláez, Laura Martínez-Gutiérrez, Marialbert Acosta-Herrera, Javier Martín","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001185","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001185","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a clinically heterogeneous chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease with the highest mortality rate among all rheumatic diseases. Although current SSc clinical and serological classifications provide valuable prognostic information, predicting disease progression, and therapeutic responses remains challenging. In this context, genomics holds potential to bridge this gap. This review summarizes recent advances in SSc genomics and discusses their potential clinical applications in disease prediction, patient stratification, and therapeutic development.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Over the past decade, genomic studies, mainly genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and sequencing-based approaches, have expanded our understanding of the genetic architecture of SSc, identifying susceptibility loci and pathways involved in immune dysregulation, vasculopathy, and fibrosis. Several approaches, including polygenic risk scores (PRS) and drug repurposing, have been performed with the potential to translate these results to clinical setting.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Genomic discoveries in SSc are increasingly aiming to move beyond disease susceptibility towards clinically relevant applications. The integration of genomic, molecular, and clinical data may improve risk stratification, enable earlier identification of SSc patients at risk of severe complications, and support the development of personalized therapeutic strategies. Continued efforts in identifying causal variants and deciphering their underlying mechanisms through functional genomics will be essential for a better translation of genetic findings into precision medicine approaches for SSc.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148789512","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":"From immune heterogeneity to targeted therapies in IgG4-related disease.","authors":"Satoshi Hara, Ichiro Mizushima, Yasunori Iwata","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001203","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/BOR.0000000000001203","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Recent advances in single-cell, spatial, and multiomic technologies have provided new insights into the immunopathogenesis and clinical heterogeneity of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). At the same time, several mechanism-based therapies have entered clinical development.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent studies have identified distinct B-cell, T-cell, myeloid, and stromal populations and their interactions within affected tissues. Type 2 peripheral helper T-cell-associated, granzyme K+ cytotoxic T-cell-associated, and age-associated B-cell-related programs may contribute to tissue inflammation and immune dysregulation. Recent studies further suggest that immunopathogenesis varies across clinical phenotypes and may be shaped by additional axes such as allergy and malignancy. Clinical trials have demonstrated efficacy of the CD19-directed B-cell-depleting therapy with inebilizumab and the nondepleting B-cell modulator obexelimab, while Bruton tyrosin kinase inhibition and cellular therapies represent emerging therapeutic approaches.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>IgG4-RD is increasingly recognized as an immunologically heterogeneous fibroinflammatory disease. Integrating immune pathotypes with clinical phenotypes and dynamic biomarkers may enable more individualized treatment and accelerate development of mechanism-based therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149220073","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":"Type I interferonopathies: 15 years after the concept-news and views.","authors":"Samira Khaldi-Plassart, Isabelle Melki, Marie-Louise Frémond","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001179","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001179","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Genetic autoinflammatory conditions constitute an increasing field. Among them, type I interferonopathies (IFNp-I) were conceptualized 15 years ago as inborn errors of immunity due to chronic activation of the type I interferon (IFN-I) signalling pathway. Here, we provide recent insights in genetic mechanisms, clinical phenotypes and therapeutic options for these severe and rare disorders.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>We will cover the novel findings into disease mechanisms, particularly the role of PTP1B in STING and IFNAR signalling, as well as the contribution of endosomal TLR pathways. We will also discuss the expanding phenotypic spectrum highlighted by recent case reports and cohort studies, together with the topic of clinical expressivity, including clinical non-penetrance, and possible mechanistic explanations such as monoallelic expression, the STING HAQ haplotype, and innovative approaches to characterise disease variability. Finally, we discuss current targeted therapeutic approaches for these disabling conditions, as well as potential new treatments for the future.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Overall, these findings highlight the need to consider these rare diseases across a wide range of clinical phenotypes. Advances in next-generation sequencing have enabled a genetic diagnosis in suspected cases and the implementation of targeted treatments, thereby reducing diagnostic uncertainty and providing the possibility of genetic counselling.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"320-327"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148469573","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}
Olivier Fakih, Stephanie Rose Harrison, Helena Marzo-Ortega
{"title":"Difficult-to-treat, complex-to-manage, treatment-refractory spondyloarthritis: semantics or substance?","authors":"Olivier Fakih, Stephanie Rose Harrison, Helena Marzo-Ortega","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001173","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001173","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The concept of difficult-to-treat (D2T) disease is increasingly recognized across immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, and was recently introduced in spondyloarthritis (SpA). Several terms, including difficult-to-manage (D2M), complex-to-manage (C2M), and treatment-refractory (TR) describe disease states characterized by persistent symptoms and inadequate response to targeted therapies. This review aims to clarify the emerging constructs of D2M and TR disease in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and their implications for emerging research in this area.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent initiatives from ASAS, EULAR, and GRAPPA have proposed definitions to frame D2T clinical scenarios in axSpA and PsA. These converge on distinguishing treatment-refractory disease, characterized by persistent objective inflammation despite multiple targeted therapies, from broader D2M/C2M states driven by multifactorial contributors including non-inflammatory factors. Emerging data suggest that clinical and biological heterogeneity across disease domains may contribute to these phenotypes. Challenging phenotypic presentations often display overlapping features between axSpA and PsA, supporting the concept of a continuum across the SpA spectrum.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Distinguishing TR disease from broader D2M/C2M states is essential for avoiding inappropriate treatment escalation, and supporting personalized multidisciplinary care. Further research is needed to validate these definitions, determine contributing factors and their prevalence, and clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying treatment refractory disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"343-348"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13566406/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148223945","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":"Polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis: insights from genetic studies on disease risk and pathogenesis.","authors":"Yuko Okamoto, Mayuko Fujisaki, Takako Miyamae","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001172","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001172","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Genetic and multiomics studies are reshaping our understanding of polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and shifting the field from symptom- and phenotype-based categories toward biologically informed disease definitions. We summarize recent findings on disease risk and pathogenesis while focusing on genetic contributions to disease susceptibility and pathogenic mechanisms.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Classical HLA and non-HLA studies established the polygenic immune-mediated pathogenesis of JIA with distinct, partially overlapping, genetic architectures across the International League of Associations for Rheumatology categories. Rheumatoid factor (RF)-positive polyarticular JIA is increasingly considered a childhood-onset seropositive rheumatoid arthritis, whereas oligoarticular and RF-negative polyarticular JIA, although nonidentical, share substantial immunogenetic features. Recent subtype-integrative genome-wide association studies and transcriptomic and chromatin-interaction analyses prioritized candidate genes mediating lymphocyte activation, cytokine signaling, and immune regulation. Synovial atlas and spatial transcriptomic studies have further connected genetic susceptibility to immune-cell states and organized inflammatory niches, linking inherited risk to the chronic arthritis-sustaining tissue environment.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Genetic and multiomic studies support a shift toward biologically informed disease classification, evinced in the proposed Pediatric Rheumatology International Trials Organization framework, and provide a foundation for subtype-aware risk stratification and therapeutic target discovery in JIA. The association of genetic variations with prognosis warrants future investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"328-335"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148210539","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":"Immune dysregulation in children with Down syndrome: clinical implications and emerging therapies.","authors":"Jessica L Bloom, Indira Sriram","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001174","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001174","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>People with Down syndrome experience significant immune dysregulation, conferring elevated risk of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Despite the growing prevalence of adults living with Down syndrome, significant gaps remain in understanding and treating immune-mediated disease in this population. This review synthesizes current knowledge of immune dysregulation in Down syndrome, with focus on rheumatic manifestations and emerging therapeutic approaches.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Trisomy 21 drives constitutive, global immune remodeling characterized by mixed interferon hyperactivation, hypercytokinemia, and myeloid and lymphoid subset remodeling toward an autoimmunity-prone, pro-inflammatory state. Down syndrome associated arthritis is a distinct and aggressive entity warranting recognition separate from juvenile idiopathic and rheumatoid arthritis. People with Down syndrome face elevated risk of SJIA-associated lung disease and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Medication tolerance is a significant consideration, including intolerance to methotrexate and diminished response to TNF inhibitors. Early clinical trials of JAK inhibitors demonstrate promising results across multiple immune-mediated manifestations, including skin disease, arthritis, and Down syndrome regression disorder.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Immune dysregulation in Down syndrome is pervasive and mechanistically distinct, with interferon signaling as a central therapeutic target. Clinicians should be aware of Down syndrome specific diagnostic and management considerations, and future research should prioritize rigorous placebo-controlled trials and Down syndrome informed outcome measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"305-313"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13566407/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148210525","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":"\"Updates in chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis: emerging insights across the age spectrum\".","authors":"Aleksander Lenert, Polly J Ferguson","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001176","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001176","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>To review and highlight key research findings in children and adults with chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO).</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent studies highlight substantial progress in CNO. Emerging data supports the existence of distinct phenotypic clusters in children and adults, along with recognition of extraosseous manifestations associated with greater disease severity and biologic use. New EULAR/ACR classification criteria and expert consensus recommendations represent important progress toward improving patient care. Administrative data is promising for cohort building and epidemiologic research in CNO. Recent work has identified key health domains impacting patients, highlighting the multidimensional nature, and reduced quality of life in CNO. Genetic and biomarker studies provide insight into inflammatory pathways. Advances in imaging and disease activity assessment emphasize the limitations of clinical measures alone, with composite measures providing improved performance. Reports of sarcopenia, and bone microarchitecture abnormalities suggest additional information may be gleaned from imaging. Finally, expanded therapeutic options are being used in recalcitrant cases suggesting that targeting interleukin (IL)-17/IL-23/Janus kinase pathways need to be tested in controlled studies to determine their place in treatment of CNO.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>There is encouraging progress in CNO, with research efforts expanding our understanding of this disease across the age spectrum, with the ultimate goal of improving patient care.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"314-319"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13297339/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148276267","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":"New approaches to the management of cutaneous lupus.","authors":"Kathie Velez, Grace A Osborne, Allison C Billi","doi":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001175","DOIUrl":"10.1097/BOR.0000000000001175","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a heterogeneous inflammatory skin disease that can be disfiguring and profoundly affect patient quality of life. CLE is frequently challenging to manage and may remain refractory even when systemic disease is well controlled. Currently, no therapies are FDA-approved specifically for isolated CLE. This review summarizes established treatment approaches and highlights emerging targeted therapies informed by recent advances in disease pathogenesis.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent studies expand the role of biologics and highlight the promise of additional interferon (IFN)-targeted therapies for the treatment of refractory CLE. Therapies targeting B cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, the type I IFN receptor, and downstream pathways - including JAK, TYK2, TLR7/8, and IRAK4 inhibitors - continue to broaden therapeutic options. Importantly, the incorporation of skin-specific outcome measures into systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) clinical trials has supported the evaluation of cutaneous responses within broader SLE programs, which in turn has expanded the use of newer SLE therapies for CLE. This evolution in trial design may also facilitate future FDA approval pathways for treatments aimed at isolated CLE, an area currently lacking approved therapies.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>A deepening understanding of CLE pathogenesis has yielded multiple promising new treatments for CLE, with targeting of type I IFN and downstream signaling proving especially fruitful.</p>","PeriodicalId":11145,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in rheumatology","volume":" ","pages":"349-357"},"PeriodicalIF":5.4,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148276259","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}