EULAR 2026 Daily Podcast Day 2a
A groundbreaking study using Gallium-68 PET scans reveals that nearly half of psoriatic arthritis patients with no visible joint swelling or tenderness still show significant subclinical inflammation—detectable through molecular imaging of angiogenesis. This challenges the long-held clinical assumption that 'no signs' means 'no disease,' suggesting inflammation begins far earlier than previously thought. Meanwhile, CAR T-cell therapy targeting CD19 B cells achieved deep remission in all six treatment-refractory rheumatoid arthritis patients in a Phase I trial, with four hitting ACR70 response and complete discontinuation of DMARDs—raising hopes for long-term, drug-free control. In women’s health, data from EULAR 2026 underscores that reproductive stage and hormonal transitions are central to rheumatic disease: postpartum flares in RA, perimenopausal disease spikes in psoriatic arthritis, and the safety of biologics during pregnancy are now backed by robust real-world evidence. Crucially, weight loss—via diet or GLP-1 agonists—significantly improved disease outcomes across multiple studies, with patients on combination therapy showing superior function and pain reduction. These findings collectively demand a paradigm shift: rheumatologists must integrate metabolic, reproductive, and molecular imaging data into clinical decision-making.
52% of psoriatic arthritis patients with no tender/swollen joints showed positive Gallium-68 PET scans, revealing subclinical inflammation driven by angiogenesis.
CD19 CAR T-cell therapy led to ACR70 remission in 4 out of 6 treatment-refractory RA patients and enabled complete DMARD discontinuation.
Postpartum flares affected 20% of RA patients, with disease activity dropping from 75% remission in third trimester to 59% postpartum.
Perimenopause was independently linked to a significant rise in DAPSA, tender/swollen joint counts, and PASI scores in psoriatic arthritis.
Weight loss—regardless of diet type—led to proportional improvements in disease activity, with GLP-1 agonist combinations showing superior outcomes.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Subclinical Inflammation in Psoriatic Arthritis Detected via Gallium-68 PET
“In 52% of these patients, the PET scan lit up as in the PET scan was positive but the examination was negative as in there were no tendon or swollen joints.”
CD19 CAR T-Cell Therapy Achieves Deep Remission in Refractory RA
“All six patients experienced a rapid decrease in disease activity with a median DAS28 CRP reduction of nearly 50% and imaging confirmed the reduction in joint inflammation.”
Women’s Health in Rheumatology: Pregnancy, Menopause, and Disease Trajectories
“Perimenopause was independently associated with a significant rise in DAPSA scores, tender and swollen joint counts, and PASI scores compared to both pre- and postmenopausal age.”
Weight Loss and GLP-1 Agonists as Disease-Modifying Strategies
Multiple studies show that weight loss—regardless of diet type—leads to significant improvements in disease activity in psoriatic arthritis. GLP-1 agonist combinations with biologics outperformed monotherapy in pain, function, and PASI scores.
“Now what is interesting is that they found that In 52 of these patients, the PET scan lit up as in the PET scan was positive but the examination was negative as in there were no tendon or swollen joints.”
“All six patients experienced a rapid decrease in disease activity with a median DAS28 CRP reduction of nearly 50% and imaging confirmed the reduction in joint inflammation.”
“prospectively tracked 477 women over more than 12 years and found that perimenopause was independently associated with a significant rise in DAPSA scores, tender and swollen joint counts, and PASI scores compared to both pre and postmenopausal age.”
Hosts
Gallium-68 PET scan
other
CD19 CAR T-cell therapy
other
EULAR 2026
other
RheumNOW
media
mivocaptogene autolucel
product
ACPA positive rheumatoid arthritis
other
perimenopause
other
GLP-1 agonist terizepatide
product
IL-17 inhibitor exekizumab
product
Anthony Chan
person
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