EULAR 2026 Daily Podcast Day 2c
A groundbreaking head-to-head trial at EULAR 2026 reveals that bimikizumab—dual IL-17A and IL-17F inhibition—significantly outperforms risankizumab (IL-23 inhibitor) in psoriatic arthritis, with 50% achieving ACR50 at week 16 versus 38%. This clear superiority could reshape treatment guidelines. Meanwhile, long-term data from Erlangen’s CAR T-cell program shows that 12% of patients relapsed after autologous CD19 CAR T therapy, with relapses occurring at a median of 13 months—most notably in inflammatory myopathies. Crucially, these relapses were successfully managed with BCMA-targeted therapies, suggesting a strategic shift: CD19 CAR T may not be a one-time cure, but a first-line intervention that can be followed by BCMA-based rescue. In a separate innovation, a novel NK cell therapy (AB-101) combined with rituximab achieved complete B-cell depletion in RA patients without serious toxicity—offering a promising outpatient alternative to CAR T, though efficacy remains limited. Finally, a randomized trial demonstrated that shared decision-making via a 3-minute video improved patient satisfaction, treatment adherence, and reduced adverse events—proving that empowering patients with choice is both feasible and effective in rheumatology. The episode underscores a pivotal shift: treatment is no longer just about choosing the right drug, but about sequencing therapies, anticipating relapse, and integrating patient autonomy.
Bimikizumab outperformed risankizumab in psoriatic arthritis, achieving 50% ACR50 response at week 16 versus 38%.
12% of patients relapsed after CD19 CAR T therapy, with relapses occurring at a median of 13 months, primarily in inflammatory myopathies.
BCMA-targeted therapies successfully rescued patients who relapsed after CD19 CAR T, suggesting a two-step treatment strategy.
AB-101, a non-CAR NK cell therapy with high-affinity FC receptors, achieved complete B-cell depletion in RA patients without serious toxicity.
Shared decision-making via a 3-minute video increased patient satisfaction, reduced treatment switching, and lowered adverse events.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Bimikizumab vs. Risankizumab: A Clear Winner in PsA
“50% of ACF-50 response at week 16 in the bimikizumab arm versus 38% in the raisin kizumab arm. So quite effectively demonstration of superiority of bimikizumab.”
CAR T-Cell Relapses: A New Challenge in Autoimmunity
“The relapses were not minor relapse. They were significant. For example, the patient with lupus had knee-onset transverse myelitis.”
Rescuing CAR T Relapses with BCMA Therapy
Patients who relapsed after CD19 CAR T therapy were successfully treated with BCMA-targeted therapies, suggesting a strategic two-step approach.
Predicting Relapse: Immunologic Flares Precede Clinical Flares
“Several days before she actually had a routine per protocol collection of her blood and they did immunologic analysis of that preclinical flare blood sample, they actually found pathogenic B cells...”
AB-101: A Safer, Outpatient NK Cell Therapy for B-Cell Depletion
“There was no cytokine release syndrome, no ICAMS, no hypogamaglavinemia, graft-versus-host disease, or any serious adverse events.”
“50 of ACF -50 response at week 16 in the bimikizumab arm versus 38 in the raisin kizumab arm. So quite effectively demonstration of superiority of bimikizumab.”
“And when we're talking about these relapses, they were not minor relapse. They were significant. For example, the patient with lupus had knee -onset transverse myelitis.”
“But those who had chosen their drug were more happy, more satisfied. They switched their treatments less. They had less side effects.”
Hosts
CD19 CAR T-cell therapy
other
EULAR 2026
other
BCMA CAR T-cell therapy
other
bimikizumab
product
Erlangen
organization
rituximab
product
AB-101
other
risankizumab
product
Aurelie Nagm
person
Al Kim
person
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