ACR Journals On Air

In this episode, Drs. Nilasha Ghosh and Anne Bass discuss immune-related adverse events from immune checkpoint inhibitors, focusing on psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. They review early clinical recognition, epidemiology, and findings from a multicenter observational study evaluating apremilast, including patient characteristics, outcomes, and key limitations. The conversation also highlights insights from the HSS Checkpoint Inhibitor–Associated Arthritis Registry, the need for greater precision in rheumatology, and practical perspectives on mentorship and career development for emerging clinician–scientists. Use of Apremilast for the Treatment of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

In this episode, Dr. Katie McMenamin and Dr. Josh Baker discuss their research on the genetic drivers of pain in rheumatoid arthritis, drawing on data from the FORWARD and VARA cohorts. They explore how genetic risk scores relate to pain and disease activity, and what these findings mean for patient care, remission, and future clinical trials. The conversation also highlights key study limitations, along with reflections on the research process and advice for trainees pursuing careers in rheumatology. Development and External Validation of a Genetic Risk Score for Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis

In this episode, Dr. Shervin Assassi discusses a secondary analysis of the SENSCIS trial, exploring how peripheral blood gene expression may predict response to mycophenolate in systemic sclerosis–associated lung disease. He highlights key findings linking immune and metabolic gene signatures, as well as C-reactive protein, to changes in lung function, and considers their potential role in guiding treatment and clinical trial design. The episode also touches on his career journey and insights into leadership, mentorship, and sustaining research productivity. Peripheral Blood Gene Expression Profiling and Prognostic Significance for the Course of Interstitial Lung Disease in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Sasha Bernatsky about her research on the relationship between exposure to fine particulate air pollution and the development of systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases. She explains what fine particulate matter is, how her team used large population datasets to study environmental exposures, and what their findings suggest about the potential health impacts of air pollution. The conversation also explores the challenges and limitations of studying environmental risk factors, what comes next for this line of research, and Dr. Bernatsky's reflections on building a career in rheumatology and epidemiology, mentoring the next generation of scientists, and staying resilient through the inevitable setbacks of scientific work. Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease Risk: Association With Long-Term Exposure to Fine Particulate Matter

In this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Volkmann discusses emerging research on the gut microbiome in systemic sclerosis, building on findings from early-diagnosis and prior microbiome studies. She explains her team's analysis of microbiome-derived metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids, and their potential role in symptom development, highlighting key findings, clinical implications, and study limitations. The conversation also touches on holistic patient care, international collaboration, and her perspective on the future of systemic sclerosis research and treatment. Characterization of the Fecal Metabolome in Patients With Early Systemic Sclerosis

In this episode, Dr. Madeline O'Sullivan discusses her retrospective study of U.S. veterans in the Veterans Health Administration, examining outcomes among patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer. She explains how the cohorts were defined, how use and timing of immunosuppressive therapies were analyzed, and how mortality and cause of death were determined. Dr. O'Sullivan summarizes the patient population, cancer types represented, and key findings on survival differences between RA and non-RA groups, as well as insights from secondary analyses and important study limitations. She also reflects on balancing research with clinical training, the mentorship that supported her work, lessons learned, and practical advice for trainees aiming to complete and publish research projects.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Jayne MacMahon about an international collaborative study in juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) involving pediatric rheumatology centers in Genoa, Italy, and Toronto, Canada. She discusses the study's motivation, key disease activity measures, treatment targets, and definitions of remission, along with major findings on time to remission, steroid exposure, and treatment outcomes across cohorts. Dr. MacMahon also reflects on the study's limitations, future research directions, her career path in pediatric rheumatology, and how international collaboration can shape the future of care for children with autoimmune diseases. Toward a Treat-to-Target Strategy in Juvenile Dermatomyositis: What Are the Suitable Targets and Optimal Timing of Their Achievement?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Evelyne Vinet about a new study examining whether TNF inhibitors increase the risk of serious infections during pregnancy among women with chronic inflammatory diseases. Using large real-world data from the MarketScan database, the discussion explores how pregnancy, inflammatory disease, TNF inhibitor exposure, and serious infections were defined, how confounders were addressed, and what the data reveal across pregnancy and the postpartum period. Dr. Vinet also reflects on study limitations, the impact of COVID-19, and her broader work on pregnancy outcomes and long-term child health in rheumatic diseases, offering insights for clinicians and researchers alike. Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors and Risk of Serious Infections in Pregnant Women With Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

In this episode, we explore why rheumatoid arthritis matters to the broader public, with a focus on difficult-to-treat RA (D2T-RA)—what it is, how often it occurs, and why early identification is critical. Our guest demystifies common RA research terms and outcome measures, introduces the real-world data sets behind the study, and explains—in plain language—how a predictive model was developed using modern statistical tools. We discuss the key risk factors for D2T-RA, including which findings were surprising, as well as the study's major strengths and limitations. The conversation wraps up with thoughts on how this work may shape future research, the potential role of AI in risk modeling, and practical advice for early-career researchers on balancing productivity and sleep.

In this episode, we speak with a leading investigator in large-vessel vasculitis, Dr. Anne Bull Haaversen, to clarify the full spectrum of giant cell arteritis (GCA), including its aortic involvement. We reviewed the prevalence of GCA-related aneurysms, why the team compared ultrasonography with other imaging modalities, and how the ascending aorta can be assessed with ultrasound. Our Dr. Haaversen summarizes the study design, key findings, and limitations, and reflects on how these results may inform future guidelines. We close by discussing the evolution of their research focus on large-vessel imaging and how rheumatologists can balance advanced diagnostics with empathetic patient care.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Aaron Smith to explore why the rheumatology community urgently needs stronger grounding in aging principles and more adaptable care strategies for older adults living with rheumatic conditions. Dr. Smith walks us through his innovative research examining the attitudes and perspectives of healthcare professionals, explains how tools like the ERA-12 help illuminate key patterns, and shares what his team learned about how clinicians approach the care of aging patients. He discusses which findings surprised him, what limitations shaped the study, and how this work opens new directions for future investigation. Near the end, Dr. Smith offers practical takeaways clinicians can apply right away and reflect on his own early-career journey—including what he hopes to accomplish between fellowship and the far future stages of his career.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Sandra Pinho, Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Regenerative Medicine at the University of Chicago, to explore the fascinating intersection of stem cell biology, aging, and the bone marrow niche. From her early days studying biology in Portugal to groundbreaking research in London and New York, Dr. Pinho shares her scientific journey and the mentors who shaped her career. In a conversation that begins with Halloween monsters and ends with cutting-edge aging research, we uncover how megakaryocytes—cells best known for making platelets—play surprising roles in immune regulation and the aging process. Dr. Pinho discusses how changes in these cells can influence immune balance, contribute to age-related dysfunction, and even hint at new therapeutic strategies for healthy aging. Blending curiosity, science, and a touch of the spooky, this episode offers both personal insight and a deep dive into the hidden dynamics of our "spooky skeletons."

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Sharon about the complex intersection of oncology and autoimmunity through the lens of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)—therapies that have transformed cancer care but can also unleash immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Dr. Elad explains how ICIs work, why they can trigger autoimmune-like toxicities, and what distinguishes rheumatologic irAEs from classic autoimmune diseases. We explore the mechanistic overlaps between cancer immunotherapy and autoimmunity, the ethical and clinical dilemmas of balancing immune suppression with cancer control, and emerging biomarkers that may predict risk. Dr. Sharon also reflects on his career journey—from leading drug development efforts at the National Cancer Institute to returning to academia—and shares insights on collaboration, innovation, and the evolving partnership between oncologists and rheumatologists in managing these challenging conditions.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kristin to discuss her session at ACR Convergence on taking a personalized approach to pulmonary hypertension in connective tissue diseases. She shares why now is the critical moment for this shift and how “personalized” care extends beyond biomarkers and imaging to encompass clinical nuances, patient-reported symptoms, and multidisciplinary collaboration. We explore the key challenges in detecting pulmonary hypertension early, the promise of emerging technologies like AI-assisted imaging and molecular diagnostics, and the subtle red flags clinicians should recognize in at-risk patients. Dr. Kristin also reflects on her unique dual training in rheumatology and pulmonology, the defining moments that shaped her career, and how mentorship continues to drive innovation and compassion in the care of patients with connective tissue lung disease.

In this episode, Dr. Shaun Jackson uses a compelling patient case to illuminate the complex mechanisms of immune tolerance and autoimmunity. He explains how B cells learn to avoid targeting the body’s own tissues through central and peripheral tolerance—and how these safeguards can fail. The discussion covers the roles of germinal centers, T cells, and rare genetic disorders in shaping immune regulation, with Alport’s syndrome and post-transplant Goodpasture’s disease serving as striking examples. Dr. Jackson also reflects on emerging directions in autoimmune research and shares his journey from medical training in South Africa to leading a research program in Seattle, offering valuable insights for future physician-scientists.

In this episode, our guests Dr. Sabrina Hoa and Dr. Marie Hudson explore new insights into late-onset interstitial lung disease (ILD) in scleroderma. Using data from the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group, they discuss how ILD can still develop years after diagnosis, challenging traditional screening timelines. They cover key findings, clinical implications, treatment patterns, and the need for more inclusive trials. The conversation also touches on mentorship and what’s next in scleroderma research.

In this episode, we review the Arthritis & Rheumatology manuscript, “Diagnosis and Treatment of Castleman Disease,” with Drs. Luke Chen and David Fajgenbaum. The discussion (which provides an essential, up-to-date overview of a rare but critical disease) highlights the clinical subtypes of Castleman Disease, its overlap with autoimmune and autoinflammatory syndromes, and current diagnostic and treatment strategies. Dr. Chen offers a hematologist’s perspective on disease classification, pathology, and practical management tips, while Dr. Fajgenbaum shares insights from his personal experience as a patient and his work advancing research through the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network and Every Cure.

In this episode of ACR Journals on Air, host Dr. Vicki Shanmugam speaks with Dr. Alain Sanchez-Rodriguez about a new study from the Lupus Midwest Network (LUMEN), published in Arthritis Care & Research. They explore how patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) experience delays and disparities in care, the types of physicians involved in diagnosis, and what the data reveals about access to specialized treatment. Dr. Sanchez-Rodriguez also shares his research journey and insights on improving equity in rheumatology.

This episode explores the ARChiVe Registry, a longitudinal database for pediatric vasculitis, with guest Dr. Sam, a pediatric rheumatologist and bioinformatician. The discussion covers the registry’s design, patient selection, and key outcomes, including remission rates, hospitalization, and damage scores (pVDI) across treatment strategies. Dr. Sam highlights how these findings inform clinical practice and discusses the challenges of observational data. The episode also touches on his unique background in social pediatrics and health informatics, emphasizing the evolving role of clinicians as both diagnosticians and data stewards in rheumatology research.

This week, we explore the potential role of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and comorbid type 2 diabetes (T2D)—a population historically excluded from landmark SGLT2i trials. Our guest, Dr. Karen Costenbader, discusses the rationale behind the study, the nuances of trial emulation design, and key findings regarding cardiovascular and renal outcomes, infection risk, and prescribing patterns in this complex cohort. We also unpack implications for clinical decision-making and the evolving landscape of metabolic and cardiovascular care in autoimmune disease.