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