Bimekizumab outperforms risankizumab in the first head-to-head trial in PsA
Prof. Joseph Merola, University of Texas Southwestern, TX, USA
In the BE-BOLD-trial (NCT06624228), the first randomised head-to-head comparison of 2 widely used biologics in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), bimekizumab achieved a significantly higher American College of Rheumatology 50% (ACR50) response than risankizumab at week 16. This advantage was maintained for an additional 8 weeks of treatment in this phase 3b study.
Nanobody shows early promise in axSpA
Prof. Xenofon Baraliakos, Ruhr University, Germany
In the first clinical trial for sonelokimab in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), most patients achieved at least a 40% improvement in symptoms within the first month, with responses sustained through week 12. These phase 2 findings were accompanied by measurable reductions in inflammatory joint lesions on imaging.
Secukinumab doubles sustained remission and spares glucocorticoids in polymyalgia rheumatica
Prof. Christian Dejaco, Medical University of Graz, Austria
In the phase 3 REPLENISH (NCT05767034) trial, both doses of the interleukin (IL)-17A inhibitor secukinumab approximately doubled sustained remission rates compared with placebo in patients with recently relapsed polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) while significantly reducing cumulative glucocorticoid exposure. REPLENISH is the largest randomised controlled trial conducted in PMR to date and met its primary and all secondary endpoints.
Baricitinib offers steroid-free remission in polymyalgia rheumatica
Prof. Helga Lechner-Radner, Medical University Vienna, Austri
Current targeted treatment options for polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) are limited, raising the question of whether an oral Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor could be effective in this indication. Phase 3 data suggest that baricitinib may represent such an option.
FcRn blocker nipocalimab: A new treatment option for systemic lupus erythematosus?
Dr Richard Furie, Northwell Health, NY, USA
The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blocker nipocalimab, already approved for myasthenia gravis, showed promising results in a proof-of-concept phase 2 trial in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). By lowering immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels, the drug aims to reduce the pathogenetic autoantibodies that drive the disease.
Macrophage-reprogramming agent shows durable efficacy at 6 months in osteoarthritis
Prof. Philip G. Conaghan, University of Leeds, United Kingdom
A novel agent designed to shift macrophages towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype maintained its therapeutic effect through 6 months. The benefit appeared most pronounced in older patients with osteoarthritis (OA), suggesting a potential link with immune ageing.
Weight loss, not diet type, drives symptom relief in PsA
Prof. Lihi Eder, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
In the randomised DIPSA trial, 2 personalised dietary interventions and standard dietary advice all produced modest weight loss and improvements in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) disease activity, with no significant differences between approaches. The degree of weight loss, rather than the specific diet intervention, was most strongly associated with symptom improvement.