Key clinical point: Inotuzumab ozogamicin with bosutinib was well tolerated in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) lymphoid blast phase of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-LBP) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ALL).

Major finding: Rates of complete response (CR)/CR with incomplete count recovery, complete cytogenic response, measurable residual disease negativity, and complete molecular response were 83%, 81%, 61%, and 56%, respectively. The 30-day mortality was 0%. During the median follow-up of 44 months, median event-free survival and overall survival were 7.7 and 13.5 months, respectively. No patients discontinued treatment because of toxicity, and no veno-occlusive disease was reported.

Study details: This was a phase 1/2 trial including 18 patients with R/R Ph+ALL (n=16) or CML-LBP (n=2). The maximum tolerated dose of bosutinib was 400 mg daily.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer, MD Anderson Cancer Center Support Grant, and the National Cancer Institute. Some investigators including the lead author reported ties with various pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer.

Source: Jain N et al. Am J Hematol. 2021 May 15. doi: 10.1002/ajh.26238.

Key clinical point: Inotuzumab ozogamicin with bosutinib was well tolerated in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) lymphoid blast phase of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-LBP) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ALL).

Major finding: Rates of complete response (CR)/CR with incomplete count recovery, complete cytogenic response, measurable residual disease negativity, and complete molecular response were 83%, 81%, 61%, and 56%, respectively. The 30-day mortality was 0%. During the median follow-up of 44 months, median event-free survival and overall survival were 7.7 and 13.5 months, respectively. No patients discontinued treatment because of toxicity, and no veno-occlusive disease was reported.

Study details: This was a phase 1/2 trial including 18 patients with R/R Ph+ALL (n=16) or CML-LBP (n=2). The maximum tolerated dose of bosutinib was 400 mg daily.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer, MD Anderson Cancer Center Support Grant, and the National Cancer Institute. Some investigators including the lead author reported ties with various pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer.

Source: Jain N et al. Am J Hematol. 2021 May 15. doi: 10.1002/ajh.26238.

Key clinical point: Inotuzumab ozogamicin with bosutinib was well tolerated in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) lymphoid blast phase of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-LBP) and Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ALL).

Major finding: Rates of complete response (CR)/CR with incomplete count recovery, complete cytogenic response, measurable residual disease negativity, and complete molecular response were 83%, 81%, 61%, and 56%, respectively. The 30-day mortality was 0%. During the median follow-up of 44 months, median event-free survival and overall survival were 7.7 and 13.5 months, respectively. No patients discontinued treatment because of toxicity, and no veno-occlusive disease was reported.

Study details: This was a phase 1/2 trial including 18 patients with R/R Ph+ALL (n=16) or CML-LBP (n=2). The maximum tolerated dose of bosutinib was 400 mg daily.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Pfizer, MD Anderson Cancer Center Support Grant, and the National Cancer Institute. Some investigators including the lead author reported ties with various pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer.

Source: Jain N et al. Am J Hematol. 2021 May 15. doi: 10.1002/ajh.26238.

Key clinical point: Polymorphisms of CYP2A6 and ABCC4 genes were associated with a protective effect against the development of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). These findings highlight the underlying genetic predisposition of individuals to develop CML.

Major finding: Individuals with the C allele of the rs28399433 polymorphism of CYP2A6 gene (odds ratio [OR], 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14-0.78; P = .008) and the CC genotype of the rs3742106 polymorphism of ABCC4 gene (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.10-0.88; P = .020) had a significantly reduced susceptibility to CML vs. other genotypes.

Study details: This retrospective study assessed an admixed population of 269 individuals including 143 patients with CML and 126 healthy controls from the Amazon region of Brazil.

Disclosures: No specific funding source was identified. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Monte N et al. Mol Genet Genomic Med. 2021 May 29. doi: 10.1002/mgg3.1694.

Key clinical point: Polymorphisms of CYP2A6 and ABCC4 genes were associated with a protective effect against the development of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). These findings highlight the underlying genetic predisposition of individuals to develop CML.

Major finding: Individuals with the C allele of the rs28399433 polymorphism of CYP2A6 gene (odds ratio [OR], 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14-0.78; P = .008) and the CC genotype of the rs3742106 polymorphism of ABCC4 gene (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.10-0.88; P = .020) had a significantly reduced susceptibility to CML vs. other genotypes.

Study details: This retrospective study assessed an admixed population of 269 individuals including 143 patients with CML and 126 healthy controls from the Amazon region of Brazil.

Disclosures: No specific funding source was identified. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Monte N et al. Mol Genet Genomic Med. 2021 May 29. doi: 10.1002/mgg3.1694.

Key clinical point: Polymorphisms of CYP2A6 and ABCC4 genes were associated with a protective effect against the development of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). These findings highlight the underlying genetic predisposition of individuals to develop CML.

Major finding: Individuals with the C allele of the rs28399433 polymorphism of CYP2A6 gene (odds ratio [OR], 0.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.14-0.78; P = .008) and the CC genotype of the rs3742106 polymorphism of ABCC4 gene (OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.10-0.88; P = .020) had a significantly reduced susceptibility to CML vs. other genotypes.

Study details: This retrospective study assessed an admixed population of 269 individuals including 143 patients with CML and 126 healthy controls from the Amazon region of Brazil.

Disclosures: No specific funding source was identified. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Monte N et al. Mol Genet Genomic Med. 2021 May 29. doi: 10.1002/mgg3.1694.

Key clinical point: The Eutos long-term survival (ELTS) score appeared better at predicting overall survival (OS) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), redefining the risk stratification obtained with the Sokal score. Patients defined as high risk by ELTS showed poorer OS, thereby warranting treatment intensification and close monitoring.

Major finding: A prognostic refinement was observed from the Sokal to the ELTS score in high and intermediate Sokal risk patients. In the high-risk Sokal group, 3-year OS ranged from 94.8% to 82.4% for patients considered at ‘true’ high risk. In the intermediate Sokal risk group, 3-year OS of high-risk patients was only 70.7% vs. 95.4% for low-risk and 87.9% for ‘true’ intermediate-risk patients.

Study details: Findings are from the analysis of 1,206 patients with CML from the GIMEMA observational study. Patients were treated with either imatinib (n=608) or second-generation TKIs, dasatinib, or nilotinib (n=598).

Disclosures: No source of funding was identified. Some investigators including the lead author reported honoraria from various pharmaceutical companies.

Source: Breccia M et al. Leukemia. 2021 May 17. doi: 10.1038/s41375-021-01292-4.

Key clinical point: The Eutos long-term survival (ELTS) score appeared better at predicting overall survival (OS) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), redefining the risk stratification obtained with the Sokal score. Patients defined as high risk by ELTS showed poorer OS, thereby warranting treatment intensification and close monitoring.

Major finding: A prognostic refinement was observed from the Sokal to the ELTS score in high and intermediate Sokal risk patients. In the high-risk Sokal group, 3-year OS ranged from 94.8% to 82.4% for patients considered at ‘true’ high risk. In the intermediate Sokal risk group, 3-year OS of high-risk patients was only 70.7% vs. 95.4% for low-risk and 87.9% for ‘true’ intermediate-risk patients.

Study details: Findings are from the analysis of 1,206 patients with CML from the GIMEMA observational study. Patients were treated with either imatinib (n=608) or second-generation TKIs, dasatinib, or nilotinib (n=598).

Disclosures: No source of funding was identified. Some investigators including the lead author reported honoraria from various pharmaceutical companies.

Source: Breccia M et al. Leukemia. 2021 May 17. doi: 10.1038/s41375-021-01292-4.

Key clinical point: The Eutos long-term survival (ELTS) score appeared better at predicting overall survival (OS) in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), redefining the risk stratification obtained with the Sokal score. Patients defined as high risk by ELTS showed poorer OS, thereby warranting treatment intensification and close monitoring.

Major finding: A prognostic refinement was observed from the Sokal to the ELTS score in high and intermediate Sokal risk patients. In the high-risk Sokal group, 3-year OS ranged from 94.8% to 82.4% for patients considered at ‘true’ high risk. In the intermediate Sokal risk group, 3-year OS of high-risk patients was only 70.7% vs. 95.4% for low-risk and 87.9% for ‘true’ intermediate-risk patients.

Study details: Findings are from the analysis of 1,206 patients with CML from the GIMEMA observational study. Patients were treated with either imatinib (n=608) or second-generation TKIs, dasatinib, or nilotinib (n=598).

Disclosures: No source of funding was identified. Some investigators including the lead author reported honoraria from various pharmaceutical companies.

Source: Breccia M et al. Leukemia. 2021 May 17. doi: 10.1038/s41375-021-01292-4.

Key clinical point: In a large cohort of patients with newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) receiving frontline imatinib therapy, adolescents showed adverse disease features and shorter failure-free survival (FFS) compared with children, indicating distinct disease characteristics and outcomes between these pediatric groups.

Major finding: Adolescents vs. children presented with significantly higher white blood cell count (P = .033), basophil percentage in peripheral blood (P = .002), and prevalence of splenomegaly (P = .004). Children had a longer FFS vs. adolescents (hazard ratio, 2.36; P = .015).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective analysis of 982 newly diagnosed patients with CML-CP, including 135 children, 189 adolescents, and 658 adults, who received imatinib as the first-line treatment within 6 months of diagnosis.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. No author disclosures were reported.

Source: Dou X et al. Ann Hematol. 2021 Jun 5. doi: 10.1007/s00277-021-04544-6.

Key clinical point: In a large cohort of patients with newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) receiving frontline imatinib therapy, adolescents showed adverse disease features and shorter failure-free survival (FFS) compared with children, indicating distinct disease characteristics and outcomes between these pediatric groups.

Major finding: Adolescents vs. children presented with significantly higher white blood cell count (P = .033), basophil percentage in peripheral blood (P = .002), and prevalence of splenomegaly (P = .004). Children had a longer FFS vs. adolescents (hazard ratio, 2.36; P = .015).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective analysis of 982 newly diagnosed patients with CML-CP, including 135 children, 189 adolescents, and 658 adults, who received imatinib as the first-line treatment within 6 months of diagnosis.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. No author disclosures were reported.

Source: Dou X et al. Ann Hematol. 2021 Jun 5. doi: 10.1007/s00277-021-04544-6.

Key clinical point: In a large cohort of patients with newly diagnosed chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP) receiving frontline imatinib therapy, adolescents showed adverse disease features and shorter failure-free survival (FFS) compared with children, indicating distinct disease characteristics and outcomes between these pediatric groups.

Major finding: Adolescents vs. children presented with significantly higher white blood cell count (P = .033), basophil percentage in peripheral blood (P = .002), and prevalence of splenomegaly (P = .004). Children had a longer FFS vs. adolescents (hazard ratio, 2.36; P = .015).

Study details: Findings are from a retrospective analysis of 982 newly diagnosed patients with CML-CP, including 135 children, 189 adolescents, and 658 adults, who received imatinib as the first-line treatment within 6 months of diagnosis.

Disclosures: This study was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. No author disclosures were reported.

Source: Dou X et al. Ann Hematol. 2021 Jun 5. doi: 10.1007/s00277-021-04544-6.

Key clinical point: Administration of a single dose of SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) led to seroconversion and T-cell response in most patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP), with neutralizing antibody responses in all.

Major finding: After 3 weeks of BNT162b2 administration, anti-Spike immunoglobulin G and neutralizing antibodies were observed in 87.5% and 100% of patients, respectively. A memory T-cell response was observed in 93.3% of patients, with a polyfunctional cytokine response in either CD4⁺ or CD8⁺ T cells in 80% of patients.

Study details: Findings are from an analysis of 16 adult patients with CML-CP who received the first injection of 30 mg BNT162b2.

Disclosures: This study was funded by King’s Together Rapid COVID-19 Call Award, Huo Family Foundation Award, Chronic Disease Research Foundation award, Wellcome Trust Investigator Award, MRC-KCL Doctoral Training Partnership in Biomedical Sciences, Fondation Dormeur (Vaduz), Blood Cancer UK, LifeArc, Cancer Research UK, and King’s Health Partners Centre.

Source: Harrington P et al. Br J Haematol. 2021 June 3. doi: 10.1111/bjh.17568.

Key clinical point: Administration of a single dose of SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) led to seroconversion and T-cell response in most patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP), with neutralizing antibody responses in all.

Major finding: After 3 weeks of BNT162b2 administration, anti-Spike immunoglobulin G and neutralizing antibodies were observed in 87.5% and 100% of patients, respectively. A memory T-cell response was observed in 93.3% of patients, with a polyfunctional cytokine response in either CD4⁺ or CD8⁺ T cells in 80% of patients.

Study details: Findings are from an analysis of 16 adult patients with CML-CP who received the first injection of 30 mg BNT162b2.

Disclosures: This study was funded by King’s Together Rapid COVID-19 Call Award, Huo Family Foundation Award, Chronic Disease Research Foundation award, Wellcome Trust Investigator Award, MRC-KCL Doctoral Training Partnership in Biomedical Sciences, Fondation Dormeur (Vaduz), Blood Cancer UK, LifeArc, Cancer Research UK, and King’s Health Partners Centre.

Source: Harrington P et al. Br J Haematol. 2021 June 3. doi: 10.1111/bjh.17568.

Key clinical point: Administration of a single dose of SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech) led to seroconversion and T-cell response in most patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CML-CP), with neutralizing antibody responses in all.

Major finding: After 3 weeks of BNT162b2 administration, anti-Spike immunoglobulin G and neutralizing antibodies were observed in 87.5% and 100% of patients, respectively. A memory T-cell response was observed in 93.3% of patients, with a polyfunctional cytokine response in either CD4⁺ or CD8⁺ T cells in 80% of patients.

Study details: Findings are from an analysis of 16 adult patients with CML-CP who received the first injection of 30 mg BNT162b2.

Disclosures: This study was funded by King’s Together Rapid COVID-19 Call Award, Huo Family Foundation Award, Chronic Disease Research Foundation award, Wellcome Trust Investigator Award, MRC-KCL Doctoral Training Partnership in Biomedical Sciences, Fondation Dormeur (Vaduz), Blood Cancer UK, LifeArc, Cancer Research UK, and King’s Health Partners Centre.

Source: Harrington P et al. Br J Haematol. 2021 June 3. doi: 10.1111/bjh.17568.

Key clinical point: The patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at an increased risk for ischemic stroke, particularly females and those without diabetes and dyslipidemia.

Major finding: The risk for ischemic stroke was significantly higher in the seropositive RA vs. control group (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.82). The risk for ischemic stroke was higher in females with seropositive RA vs. males (aHR, 1.44 vs. 1.12; P less than .001) and those without vs. with diabetes (aHR, 1.47 vs. 0.98; P less than .001) and dyslipidemia (aHR, 1.43 vs. 0.92; P = .008).

Study details: This was a nationwide, longitudinal 12-year follow-up study involving patients with seropositive RA (n=2,765) who were prescribed any disease-modifying antirheumatic drug and age- and sex-matched with control participants (n=13,825).

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT, and Future Planning. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Lee DH et al. PLoS One. 2021 May 17. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251851.

Key clinical point: The patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at an increased risk for ischemic stroke, particularly females and those without diabetes and dyslipidemia.

Major finding: The risk for ischemic stroke was significantly higher in the seropositive RA vs. control group (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.82). The risk for ischemic stroke was higher in females with seropositive RA vs. males (aHR, 1.44 vs. 1.12; P less than .001) and those without vs. with diabetes (aHR, 1.47 vs. 0.98; P less than .001) and dyslipidemia (aHR, 1.43 vs. 0.92; P = .008).

Study details: This was a nationwide, longitudinal 12-year follow-up study involving patients with seropositive RA (n=2,765) who were prescribed any disease-modifying antirheumatic drug and age- and sex-matched with control participants (n=13,825).

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT, and Future Planning. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Lee DH et al. PLoS One. 2021 May 17. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251851.

Key clinical point: The patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at an increased risk for ischemic stroke, particularly females and those without diabetes and dyslipidemia.

Major finding: The risk for ischemic stroke was significantly higher in the seropositive RA vs. control group (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.40; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.82). The risk for ischemic stroke was higher in females with seropositive RA vs. males (aHR, 1.44 vs. 1.12; P less than .001) and those without vs. with diabetes (aHR, 1.47 vs. 0.98; P less than .001) and dyslipidemia (aHR, 1.43 vs. 0.92; P = .008).

Study details: This was a nationwide, longitudinal 12-year follow-up study involving patients with seropositive RA (n=2,765) who were prescribed any disease-modifying antirheumatic drug and age- and sex-matched with control participants (n=13,825).

Disclosures: This study was funded by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT, and Future Planning. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Lee DH et al. PLoS One. 2021 May 17. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251851.

Key clinical point: Long-term treatment with baricitinib was effective for up to 120 weeks and was well tolerated in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with an inadequate response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or tumor necrosis factor inhibitor.

Major finding: In RA-BUILD-BEYOND and RA-BEACON-BEYOND, 85.1% and 86.5% of patients treated with baricitinib achieved Simple Disease Activity Index (SDAI) low-disease activity (LDA); 40.5% and 24.3% were in SDAI remission; 62.2% and 50.0% had Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index of 0.5 or less; and 81.1% and 73.7% achieved 0.22 or greater change from baseline at week 120, respectively. Rates of adverse events of special interest were similar as reported previously.

Study details: Findings are from the post hoc analysis of 2 24-week phase 3 studies, RA-BUILD and RA-BEACON. Patients who completed either trial entered the ongoing 120-week RA-BEYOND long-term extension study.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Eli Lilly and Company and Incyte Corporation. The authors reported receiving research grant, consulting/speakers fees, and/or honoraria from various sources. Five of the authors reported being employees and stockholders of Eli Lilly and Company.

Source: Wells AF et al. Rheumatol Ther. 2021 May 24. doi: 10.1007/s40744-021-00317-9.

Key clinical point: Long-term treatment with baricitinib was effective for up to 120 weeks and was well tolerated in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with an inadequate response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or tumor necrosis factor inhibitor.

Major finding: In RA-BUILD-BEYOND and RA-BEACON-BEYOND, 85.1% and 86.5% of patients treated with baricitinib achieved Simple Disease Activity Index (SDAI) low-disease activity (LDA); 40.5% and 24.3% were in SDAI remission; 62.2% and 50.0% had Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index of 0.5 or less; and 81.1% and 73.7% achieved 0.22 or greater change from baseline at week 120, respectively. Rates of adverse events of special interest were similar as reported previously.

Study details: Findings are from the post hoc analysis of 2 24-week phase 3 studies, RA-BUILD and RA-BEACON. Patients who completed either trial entered the ongoing 120-week RA-BEYOND long-term extension study.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Eli Lilly and Company and Incyte Corporation. The authors reported receiving research grant, consulting/speakers fees, and/or honoraria from various sources. Five of the authors reported being employees and stockholders of Eli Lilly and Company.

Source: Wells AF et al. Rheumatol Ther. 2021 May 24. doi: 10.1007/s40744-021-00317-9.

Key clinical point: Long-term treatment with baricitinib was effective for up to 120 weeks and was well tolerated in patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with an inadequate response to conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or tumor necrosis factor inhibitor.

Major finding: In RA-BUILD-BEYOND and RA-BEACON-BEYOND, 85.1% and 86.5% of patients treated with baricitinib achieved Simple Disease Activity Index (SDAI) low-disease activity (LDA); 40.5% and 24.3% were in SDAI remission; 62.2% and 50.0% had Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index of 0.5 or less; and 81.1% and 73.7% achieved 0.22 or greater change from baseline at week 120, respectively. Rates of adverse events of special interest were similar as reported previously.

Study details: Findings are from the post hoc analysis of 2 24-week phase 3 studies, RA-BUILD and RA-BEACON. Patients who completed either trial entered the ongoing 120-week RA-BEYOND long-term extension study.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Eli Lilly and Company and Incyte Corporation. The authors reported receiving research grant, consulting/speakers fees, and/or honoraria from various sources. Five of the authors reported being employees and stockholders of Eli Lilly and Company.

Source: Wells AF et al. Rheumatol Ther. 2021 May 24. doi: 10.1007/s40744-021-00317-9.

Key clinical point: Patients with treatment-naive early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had higher serum clusterin levels, which decreased significantly after the initiation of conventional therapy. Moreover, baseline clusterin levels predicted the achievement of low disease activity and remission during the first year.

Major finding: Patients with treatment-naive early RA vs. healthy controls (HCs) had significantly higher clusterin levels (P less than .0001), which declined significantly after 3 months of therapy (P less than .0001) and was comparable with that of HCs (P = .865). Lower clusterin levels at baseline predicted achieving remission (P = .018) and low disease activity (P = .025) at 12 months.

Study details: The data come from an analysis of patients with treatment-naive early RA (n=52) who were age-/sex-matched with HCs (n=52).

Disclosures: This study received support from the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic. No competing interest was reported.

Source: Kropáčková T et al. Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 1. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-90973-2.

Key clinical point: Patients with treatment-naive early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had higher serum clusterin levels, which decreased significantly after the initiation of conventional therapy. Moreover, baseline clusterin levels predicted the achievement of low disease activity and remission during the first year.

Major finding: Patients with treatment-naive early RA vs. healthy controls (HCs) had significantly higher clusterin levels (P less than .0001), which declined significantly after 3 months of therapy (P less than .0001) and was comparable with that of HCs (P = .865). Lower clusterin levels at baseline predicted achieving remission (P = .018) and low disease activity (P = .025) at 12 months.

Study details: The data come from an analysis of patients with treatment-naive early RA (n=52) who were age-/sex-matched with HCs (n=52).

Disclosures: This study received support from the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic. No competing interest was reported.

Source: Kropáčková T et al. Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 1. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-90973-2.

Key clinical point: Patients with treatment-naive early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) had higher serum clusterin levels, which decreased significantly after the initiation of conventional therapy. Moreover, baseline clusterin levels predicted the achievement of low disease activity and remission during the first year.

Major finding: Patients with treatment-naive early RA vs. healthy controls (HCs) had significantly higher clusterin levels (P less than .0001), which declined significantly after 3 months of therapy (P less than .0001) and was comparable with that of HCs (P = .865). Lower clusterin levels at baseline predicted achieving remission (P = .018) and low disease activity (P = .025) at 12 months.

Study details: The data come from an analysis of patients with treatment-naive early RA (n=52) who were age-/sex-matched with HCs (n=52).

Disclosures: This study received support from the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic. No competing interest was reported.

Source: Kropáčková T et al. Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 1. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-90973-2.

Key clinical point: High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) of 2 metacarpophalangeal joints and conventional radiography (CR) of 44 joints had comparable diagnostic accuracy for classifying patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as having erosive disease.

Major finding: Using CR as reference, the sensitivity and specificity of HR-pQCT for classifying patients having erosive RA was 89% (95% confidence interval [CI], 84%-92%) and 30% (95% Cl, 20%-43%), respectively. In contrast, the sensitivity and specificity of CR of 44 joints was 85% (95% Cl, 80%-89%) and 38% (95% Cl, 25%-52%), respectively, when HR-pQCT was used as reference. There was no significant difference between the sensitivities of patients classified as having erosive RA by HR-pQCT or CR (2.14; P = .177).

Study details: Data come from a single-center cross-sectional study of 353 patients with established RA.

Disclosures: The study received support from the Aarhus University Research Foundation, Danish Rheumatism Association, Novo Nordic Foundation, and A.P. Møller Fonden. E M Hauge and B Langdahl reported receiving grants and personal fees from various sources. All the other authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Source: Klose-Jensen R et al. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021 May 20. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab446.

Key clinical point: High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) of 2 metacarpophalangeal joints and conventional radiography (CR) of 44 joints had comparable diagnostic accuracy for classifying patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as having erosive disease.

Major finding: Using CR as reference, the sensitivity and specificity of HR-pQCT for classifying patients having erosive RA was 89% (95% confidence interval [CI], 84%-92%) and 30% (95% Cl, 20%-43%), respectively. In contrast, the sensitivity and specificity of CR of 44 joints was 85% (95% Cl, 80%-89%) and 38% (95% Cl, 25%-52%), respectively, when HR-pQCT was used as reference. There was no significant difference between the sensitivities of patients classified as having erosive RA by HR-pQCT or CR (2.14; P = .177).

Study details: Data come from a single-center cross-sectional study of 353 patients with established RA.

Disclosures: The study received support from the Aarhus University Research Foundation, Danish Rheumatism Association, Novo Nordic Foundation, and A.P. Møller Fonden. E M Hauge and B Langdahl reported receiving grants and personal fees from various sources. All the other authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Source: Klose-Jensen R et al. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021 May 20. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab446.

Key clinical point: High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) of 2 metacarpophalangeal joints and conventional radiography (CR) of 44 joints had comparable diagnostic accuracy for classifying patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as having erosive disease.

Major finding: Using CR as reference, the sensitivity and specificity of HR-pQCT for classifying patients having erosive RA was 89% (95% confidence interval [CI], 84%-92%) and 30% (95% Cl, 20%-43%), respectively. In contrast, the sensitivity and specificity of CR of 44 joints was 85% (95% Cl, 80%-89%) and 38% (95% Cl, 25%-52%), respectively, when HR-pQCT was used as reference. There was no significant difference between the sensitivities of patients classified as having erosive RA by HR-pQCT or CR (2.14; P = .177).

Study details: Data come from a single-center cross-sectional study of 353 patients with established RA.

Disclosures: The study received support from the Aarhus University Research Foundation, Danish Rheumatism Association, Novo Nordic Foundation, and A.P. Møller Fonden. E M Hauge and B Langdahl reported receiving grants and personal fees from various sources. All the other authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Source: Klose-Jensen R et al. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2021 May 20. doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab446.

Key clinical point: Initial treatment with methotrexate (MTX) and glucocorticoids (GC) bridging reduced chronic use of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and analgesics compared with MTX treatment alone in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (eRA) considered to have a favorable prognosis.

Major finding: The number of patients with a daily chronic intake of NSAIDs was significantly lower in MTX monotherapy along with step-down GC vs. MTX monotherapy without oral GC group (14% vs. 40%; P less than .01). Even after correcting for previous chronic analgesic use and baseline pain, patients treated with MTX and step-down GCs had an 83% lower hazard of chronic use of NSAID or analgesic (P less than .001).

Study details: Findings are from a post hoc analysis of the CareRA trial of 90 patients with eRA and favorable risk profile. Patients were randomly allocated to either MTX monotherapy without oral GC (n=47) or MTX monotherapy along with step-down GC (n=43).

Disclosures: The CareRA trial was funded by a Flemish governmental grant. All the authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Pazmino S et al. RMD Open. 2021 May 24. doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-001615.

Key clinical point: Initial treatment with methotrexate (MTX) and glucocorticoids (GC) bridging reduced chronic use of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and analgesics compared with MTX treatment alone in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (eRA) considered to have a favorable prognosis.

Major finding: The number of patients with a daily chronic intake of NSAIDs was significantly lower in MTX monotherapy along with step-down GC vs. MTX monotherapy without oral GC group (14% vs. 40%; P less than .01). Even after correcting for previous chronic analgesic use and baseline pain, patients treated with MTX and step-down GCs had an 83% lower hazard of chronic use of NSAID or analgesic (P less than .001).

Study details: Findings are from a post hoc analysis of the CareRA trial of 90 patients with eRA and favorable risk profile. Patients were randomly allocated to either MTX monotherapy without oral GC (n=47) or MTX monotherapy along with step-down GC (n=43).

Disclosures: The CareRA trial was funded by a Flemish governmental grant. All the authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Pazmino S et al. RMD Open. 2021 May 24. doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-001615.

Key clinical point: Initial treatment with methotrexate (MTX) and glucocorticoids (GC) bridging reduced chronic use of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and analgesics compared with MTX treatment alone in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (eRA) considered to have a favorable prognosis.

Major finding: The number of patients with a daily chronic intake of NSAIDs was significantly lower in MTX monotherapy along with step-down GC vs. MTX monotherapy without oral GC group (14% vs. 40%; P less than .01). Even after correcting for previous chronic analgesic use and baseline pain, patients treated with MTX and step-down GCs had an 83% lower hazard of chronic use of NSAID or analgesic (P less than .001).

Study details: Findings are from a post hoc analysis of the CareRA trial of 90 patients with eRA and favorable risk profile. Patients were randomly allocated to either MTX monotherapy without oral GC (n=47) or MTX monotherapy along with step-down GC (n=43).

Disclosures: The CareRA trial was funded by a Flemish governmental grant. All the authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Source: Pazmino S et al. RMD Open. 2021 May 24. doi: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-001615.