Conference Recap

Dr Elaine Siegfried, an expert in pediatric dermatology in St. Louis, Missouri, examines some of the key data and research highlights in atopic dermatitis presented at the 2021 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Virtual Annual Meeting.

Dr Siegfried starts with two studies on the selective JAK1 inhibitor abrocitinib, in which results in both adults and adolescents confirm the efficacy of the 200 mg dose. However, she cautions that the jury is still out on the long-term safety for this class of drugs.

She then reviews two studies looking at whether individuals with atopic dermatitis who are hospitalized with COVID-19 suffer more severe outcomes than the general population.

Dr Siegfried's final selections focus on food allergy, an important aspect of management in patients with atopic dermatitis.

The first two look at the outcomes of food challenges in shrimp-sensitized children and those with a history suggestive of milk allergy.

The last three studies examine the latest data on an oral immunotherapy peanut allergen powder (Palforzia) approved by the FDA and some of the nonclinical factors that could hamper its uptake.

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Director, Division of Pediatric Dermatology, Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center; Owner, Director, Kids Dermatology, St. Louis, Missouri

Elaine C. Siegfried, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:

Contracted research from: AI Therapeutics.

Received consulting fees from: Boehringer Ingelheim; Incyte; Regeneron; Sanofi Genzyme; UCB; AbbVie; Verrica; Leo; Novan; Novartis; Pfizer; Pierre Fabre

Received honoraria from: Regeneron; Sanofi Genzyme; Verrica.

Received fees to SSM/SLU related to sponsoring clinical trials from: Regeneron; Verrica; Pierre Fabre; Janssen; Eli Lilly and Company.

Served on the Data Safety Monitoring Board for: UCB; Leo; Pfizer; Novan.

Received grant funding to support 2020-2022 Peds Derm Fellow from: Pfizer.

Dr Elaine Siegfried, an expert in pediatric dermatology in St. Louis, Missouri, examines some of the key data and research highlights in atopic dermatitis presented at the 2021 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Virtual Annual Meeting.

Dr Siegfried starts with two studies on the selective JAK1 inhibitor abrocitinib, in which results in both adults and adolescents confirm the efficacy of the 200 mg dose. However, she cautions that the jury is still out on the long-term safety for this class of drugs.

She then reviews two studies looking at whether individuals with atopic dermatitis who are hospitalized with COVID-19 suffer more severe outcomes than the general population.

Dr Siegfried's final selections focus on food allergy, an important aspect of management in patients with atopic dermatitis.

The first two look at the outcomes of food challenges in shrimp-sensitized children and those with a history suggestive of milk allergy.

The last three studies examine the latest data on an oral immunotherapy peanut allergen powder (Palforzia) approved by the FDA and some of the nonclinical factors that could hamper its uptake.

--

Director, Division of Pediatric Dermatology, Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center; Owner, Director, Kids Dermatology, St. Louis, Missouri

Elaine C. Siegfried, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:

Contracted research from: AI Therapeutics.

Received consulting fees from: Boehringer Ingelheim; Incyte; Regeneron; Sanofi Genzyme; UCB; AbbVie; Verrica; Leo; Novan; Novartis; Pfizer; Pierre Fabre

Received honoraria from: Regeneron; Sanofi Genzyme; Verrica.

Received fees to SSM/SLU related to sponsoring clinical trials from: Regeneron; Verrica; Pierre Fabre; Janssen; Eli Lilly and Company.

Served on the Data Safety Monitoring Board for: UCB; Leo; Pfizer; Novan.

Received grant funding to support 2020-2022 Peds Derm Fellow from: Pfizer.

Dr Elaine Siegfried, an expert in pediatric dermatology in St. Louis, Missouri, examines some of the key data and research highlights in atopic dermatitis presented at the 2021 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Virtual Annual Meeting.

Dr Siegfried starts with two studies on the selective JAK1 inhibitor abrocitinib, in which results in both adults and adolescents confirm the efficacy of the 200 mg dose. However, she cautions that the jury is still out on the long-term safety for this class of drugs.

She then reviews two studies looking at whether individuals with atopic dermatitis who are hospitalized with COVID-19 suffer more severe outcomes than the general population.

Dr Siegfried's final selections focus on food allergy, an important aspect of management in patients with atopic dermatitis.

The first two look at the outcomes of food challenges in shrimp-sensitized children and those with a history suggestive of milk allergy.

The last three studies examine the latest data on an oral immunotherapy peanut allergen powder (Palforzia) approved by the FDA and some of the nonclinical factors that could hamper its uptake.

--

Director, Division of Pediatric Dermatology, Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center; Owner, Director, Kids Dermatology, St. Louis, Missouri

Elaine C. Siegfried, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:

Contracted research from: AI Therapeutics.

Received consulting fees from: Boehringer Ingelheim; Incyte; Regeneron; Sanofi Genzyme; UCB; AbbVie; Verrica; Leo; Novan; Novartis; Pfizer; Pierre Fabre

Received honoraria from: Regeneron; Sanofi Genzyme; Verrica.

Received fees to SSM/SLU related to sponsoring clinical trials from: Regeneron; Verrica; Pierre Fabre; Janssen; Eli Lilly and Company.

Served on the Data Safety Monitoring Board for: UCB; Leo; Pfizer; Novan.

Received grant funding to support 2020-2022 Peds Derm Fellow from: Pfizer.

In a summary of abstracts presented at the ACTRIMS Forum 2021, Dr. Mark Freedman shares that he and his colleagues found no apparent increased risk of COVID-19 with long-term use of interferon β-1a in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Dr. Freedman also highlights several abstracts examining the use of cladribine and ocrelizumab in older patients with MS.

A post hoc analysis of lymphocyte subsets in the combined safety populations of CLARITY, CLARITY Extension, and ORACLE-MS found that by week 96, the effects of cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg on CD19+ B, CD4+ T, and CD8+ T lymphocytes in younger and older patients with MS were similar, with steady recovery following nadir.

Another study on younger and older patients treated with cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg found that around a quarter of both groups had transient periods of Grade ≥3 lymphopenia during the study, and the rate of certain infection-related treatment-emergent adverse events was higher in the older patients.

A single-center study found that 25% of patients in the older population stopped ocrelizumab, the most common reasons being disease progression and repeated or severe infections.

Lastly, an evaluation of older patients with progressive MS found no statistical difference in 2-year clinical endpoints for patients taking ocrelizumab compared to prior to anti-CD20 therapy.

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Mark S. Freedman, MSc, MD is a Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; and Director, Multiple Sclerosis Research Unit, The Ottawa Hospital–General Campus.

Mark S. Freedman, MSc, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:

Serve(d) on the advisory board, board of directors, or other similar groups for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson and Johnson); Alexion; Atara Biotherapeutics; Bayer Healthcare; Biogen Idec; Celgene; Clene Nanomedicine; GRI Bio; Hoffmann-La Roche; Magenta Therapeutics; Merck Serono; MedDay Pharmaceuticals; Novartis; Sanofi Genzyme; Teva Canada.

Serve(d) as a member of a speakers bureau for: Sanofi Genzyme; EMD Serono.

Received honoraria or consultation fees for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson and Johnson); Alexion; Biogen Idec; Celgene (BMS); EMD Inc; Sanofi Genzyme; Hoffmann-La Roche; Merck Serono; Novartis; Teva Canada.

Received research or educational grants from: EMD Inc; Hoffmann-La Roche; Sanofi Genzyme Canada.

In a summary of abstracts presented at the ACTRIMS Forum 2021, Dr. Mark Freedman shares that he and his colleagues found no apparent increased risk of COVID-19 with long-term use of interferon β-1a in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Dr. Freedman also highlights several abstracts examining the use of cladribine and ocrelizumab in older patients with MS.

A post hoc analysis of lymphocyte subsets in the combined safety populations of CLARITY, CLARITY Extension, and ORACLE-MS found that by week 96, the effects of cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg on CD19+ B, CD4+ T, and CD8+ T lymphocytes in younger and older patients with MS were similar, with steady recovery following nadir.

Another study on younger and older patients treated with cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg found that around a quarter of both groups had transient periods of Grade ≥3 lymphopenia during the study, and the rate of certain infection-related treatment-emergent adverse events was higher in the older patients.

A single-center study found that 25% of patients in the older population stopped ocrelizumab, the most common reasons being disease progression and repeated or severe infections.

Lastly, an evaluation of older patients with progressive MS found no statistical difference in 2-year clinical endpoints for patients taking ocrelizumab compared to prior to anti-CD20 therapy.

--

Mark S. Freedman, MSc, MD is a Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; and Director, Multiple Sclerosis Research Unit, The Ottawa Hospital–General Campus.

Mark S. Freedman, MSc, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:

Serve(d) on the advisory board, board of directors, or other similar groups for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson and Johnson); Alexion; Atara Biotherapeutics; Bayer Healthcare; Biogen Idec; Celgene; Clene Nanomedicine; GRI Bio; Hoffmann-La Roche; Magenta Therapeutics; Merck Serono; MedDay Pharmaceuticals; Novartis; Sanofi Genzyme; Teva Canada.

Serve(d) as a member of a speakers bureau for: Sanofi Genzyme; EMD Serono.

Received honoraria or consultation fees for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson and Johnson); Alexion; Biogen Idec; Celgene (BMS); EMD Inc; Sanofi Genzyme; Hoffmann-La Roche; Merck Serono; Novartis; Teva Canada.

Received research or educational grants from: EMD Inc; Hoffmann-La Roche; Sanofi Genzyme Canada.

In a summary of abstracts presented at the ACTRIMS Forum 2021, Dr. Mark Freedman shares that he and his colleagues found no apparent increased risk of COVID-19 with long-term use of interferon β-1a in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Dr. Freedman also highlights several abstracts examining the use of cladribine and ocrelizumab in older patients with MS.

A post hoc analysis of lymphocyte subsets in the combined safety populations of CLARITY, CLARITY Extension, and ORACLE-MS found that by week 96, the effects of cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg on CD19+ B, CD4+ T, and CD8+ T lymphocytes in younger and older patients with MS were similar, with steady recovery following nadir.

Another study on younger and older patients treated with cladribine tablets 3.5 mg/kg found that around a quarter of both groups had transient periods of Grade ≥3 lymphopenia during the study, and the rate of certain infection-related treatment-emergent adverse events was higher in the older patients.

A single-center study found that 25% of patients in the older population stopped ocrelizumab, the most common reasons being disease progression and repeated or severe infections.

Lastly, an evaluation of older patients with progressive MS found no statistical difference in 2-year clinical endpoints for patients taking ocrelizumab compared to prior to anti-CD20 therapy.

--

Mark S. Freedman, MSc, MD is a Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital Research Institute; and Director, Multiple Sclerosis Research Unit, The Ottawa Hospital–General Campus.

Mark S. Freedman, MSc, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:

Serve(d) on the advisory board, board of directors, or other similar groups for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson and Johnson); Alexion; Atara Biotherapeutics; Bayer Healthcare; Biogen Idec; Celgene; Clene Nanomedicine; GRI Bio; Hoffmann-La Roche; Magenta Therapeutics; Merck Serono; MedDay Pharmaceuticals; Novartis; Sanofi Genzyme; Teva Canada.

Serve(d) as a member of a speakers bureau for: Sanofi Genzyme; EMD Serono.

Received honoraria or consultation fees for: Actelion (Janssen/Johnson and Johnson); Alexion; Biogen Idec; Celgene (BMS); EMD Inc; Sanofi Genzyme; Hoffmann-La Roche; Merck Serono; Novartis; Teva Canada.

Received research or educational grants from: EMD Inc; Hoffmann-La Roche; Sanofi Genzyme Canada.

Joseph Berger, MD, Associate Chief of the Multiple Sclerosis Division at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, presents highlights in multiple sclerosis (MS) symptom management from the ACTRIMS Forum 2021.

A follow-up of participants in the self-management program called Fatigue: Take Control found that while patients did not report any significant improvement in fatigue 5-6 years later, they also did not have greater fatigue than at baseline, suggesting that fatigue may not be a progressive symptom.

Next, a literature review of efficacy studies in MS rodent models found a complementary pharmacology of CBD and other constituents of nabiximols that may add additional benefit and mitigate THC tolerability.

A small study looking at pain prevalence in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) found that 76% of patients had a pain syndrome, and 48% had neuropathic pain. The study also found that gabapentin 900 mg per day for 30 days was effective in decreasing pain intensity and frequency.

A multi-site study of 282 patients with MS reporting fatigue between 2013 and 2014 found that 21% of patients reported using prescription opiates, 76% of whom reported regular daily use.

Lastly, participants in Spasticity: Take Control—an education and lower extremity stretching program—reported significantly decreased pain severity and interference at 6 months, compared with range-of-motion exercises.

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Professor and Associate Chief, Department of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis Division. Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Joseph R. Berger, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:

Received research grant from: Biogen; Roche/Genentech.

Received income in an amount ≥$250 from: Amgen; Biogen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celgene; Encycle; Excision BioTherapeutics; Dr. Reddy; Genzyme; Inhibikase Therapeutics; Mapi-Pharma; Merck; Morphic Therapeutic; Novartis; Serono.

Joseph Berger, MD, Associate Chief of the Multiple Sclerosis Division at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, presents highlights in multiple sclerosis (MS) symptom management from the ACTRIMS Forum 2021.

A follow-up of participants in the self-management program called Fatigue: Take Control found that while patients did not report any significant improvement in fatigue 5-6 years later, they also did not have greater fatigue than at baseline, suggesting that fatigue may not be a progressive symptom.

Next, a literature review of efficacy studies in MS rodent models found a complementary pharmacology of CBD and other constituents of nabiximols that may add additional benefit and mitigate THC tolerability.

A small study looking at pain prevalence in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) found that 76% of patients had a pain syndrome, and 48% had neuropathic pain. The study also found that gabapentin 900 mg per day for 30 days was effective in decreasing pain intensity and frequency.

A multi-site study of 282 patients with MS reporting fatigue between 2013 and 2014 found that 21% of patients reported using prescription opiates, 76% of whom reported regular daily use.

Lastly, participants in Spasticity: Take Control—an education and lower extremity stretching program—reported significantly decreased pain severity and interference at 6 months, compared with range-of-motion exercises.

--

Professor and Associate Chief, Department of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis Division. Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Joseph R. Berger, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:

Received research grant from: Biogen; Roche/Genentech.

Received income in an amount ≥$250 from: Amgen; Biogen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celgene; Encycle; Excision BioTherapeutics; Dr. Reddy; Genzyme; Inhibikase Therapeutics; Mapi-Pharma; Merck; Morphic Therapeutic; Novartis; Serono.

Joseph Berger, MD, Associate Chief of the Multiple Sclerosis Division at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, presents highlights in multiple sclerosis (MS) symptom management from the ACTRIMS Forum 2021.

A follow-up of participants in the self-management program called Fatigue: Take Control found that while patients did not report any significant improvement in fatigue 5-6 years later, they also did not have greater fatigue than at baseline, suggesting that fatigue may not be a progressive symptom.

Next, a literature review of efficacy studies in MS rodent models found a complementary pharmacology of CBD and other constituents of nabiximols that may add additional benefit and mitigate THC tolerability.

A small study looking at pain prevalence in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) found that 76% of patients had a pain syndrome, and 48% had neuropathic pain. The study also found that gabapentin 900 mg per day for 30 days was effective in decreasing pain intensity and frequency.

A multi-site study of 282 patients with MS reporting fatigue between 2013 and 2014 found that 21% of patients reported using prescription opiates, 76% of whom reported regular daily use.

Lastly, participants in Spasticity: Take Control—an education and lower extremity stretching program—reported significantly decreased pain severity and interference at 6 months, compared with range-of-motion exercises.

--

Professor and Associate Chief, Department of Neurology, Multiple Sclerosis Division. Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Joseph R. Berger, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:

Received research grant from: Biogen; Roche/Genentech.

Received income in an amount ≥$250 from: Amgen; Biogen; Bristol Myers Squibb; Celgene; Encycle; Excision BioTherapeutics; Dr. Reddy; Genzyme; Inhibikase Therapeutics; Mapi-Pharma; Merck; Morphic Therapeutic; Novartis; Serono.

Dr. Sara Hurvitz, Director of the Breast Cancer Clinical Trials Program at UCLA, reviews key updates in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer studies presented during the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), which was held virtually in December.

A sub-analysis of patients who had central nervous system disease at baseline demonstrated improved outcomes with neratinib plus capecitabine compared with those receiving lapatinib plus capecitabine in the NALA trial.

Updated results from the DESTINY-breast01 study of trastuzumab deruxtecan show encouraging results in progression-free survival and early overall survival and high rates of durable responses in a heavily pretreated group of patients with metastatic breast cancer, consistent with early results.

In the HER2CLIMB study, patients treated with tucatinib in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine had clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival, overall survival, and objective response rate independent of HR status compared with placebo, and patients with HR+ and HR- breast cancer with brain metastases experienced similar benefits.

--

Sara A. Hurvitz, MD, FACP, Professor of Medicine. Director, Breast Cancer Clinical Trials Program, Division of Hematology-Oncology David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Medical Director, Clinical Research Unit, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dr. Hurvitz has received research grants from: Ambrx; Amgen Inc.; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals; Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.; Dignitana AB; Eli Lilly and Company; Genentech, Inc.; GlaxoSmithKline; Immunomedics; MacroGenics, Inc.; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; OBI Pharma, Inc.; Pfizer Inc; Pieris Pharmaceuticals Inc; Puma Biotechnology; Radius Health; Roche Pharma; sanofi-aventis; Seattle Genetics, Inc.

Dr. Sara Hurvitz, Director of the Breast Cancer Clinical Trials Program at UCLA, reviews key updates in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer studies presented during the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), which was held virtually in December.

A sub-analysis of patients who had central nervous system disease at baseline demonstrated improved outcomes with neratinib plus capecitabine compared with those receiving lapatinib plus capecitabine in the NALA trial.

Updated results from the DESTINY-breast01 study of trastuzumab deruxtecan show encouraging results in progression-free survival and early overall survival and high rates of durable responses in a heavily pretreated group of patients with metastatic breast cancer, consistent with early results.

In the HER2CLIMB study, patients treated with tucatinib in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine had clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival, overall survival, and objective response rate independent of HR status compared with placebo, and patients with HR+ and HR- breast cancer with brain metastases experienced similar benefits.

--

Sara A. Hurvitz, MD, FACP, Professor of Medicine. Director, Breast Cancer Clinical Trials Program, Division of Hematology-Oncology David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Medical Director, Clinical Research Unit, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dr. Hurvitz has received research grants from: Ambrx; Amgen Inc.; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals; Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.; Dignitana AB; Eli Lilly and Company; Genentech, Inc.; GlaxoSmithKline; Immunomedics; MacroGenics, Inc.; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; OBI Pharma, Inc.; Pfizer Inc; Pieris Pharmaceuticals Inc; Puma Biotechnology; Radius Health; Roche Pharma; sanofi-aventis; Seattle Genetics, Inc.

Dr. Sara Hurvitz, Director of the Breast Cancer Clinical Trials Program at UCLA, reviews key updates in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer studies presented during the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), which was held virtually in December.

A sub-analysis of patients who had central nervous system disease at baseline demonstrated improved outcomes with neratinib plus capecitabine compared with those receiving lapatinib plus capecitabine in the NALA trial.

Updated results from the DESTINY-breast01 study of trastuzumab deruxtecan show encouraging results in progression-free survival and early overall survival and high rates of durable responses in a heavily pretreated group of patients with metastatic breast cancer, consistent with early results.

In the HER2CLIMB study, patients treated with tucatinib in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine had clinically meaningful improvement in progression-free survival, overall survival, and objective response rate independent of HR status compared with placebo, and patients with HR+ and HR- breast cancer with brain metastases experienced similar benefits.

--

Sara A. Hurvitz, MD, FACP, Professor of Medicine. Director, Breast Cancer Clinical Trials Program, Division of Hematology-Oncology David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Medical Director, Clinical Research Unit, UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dr. Hurvitz has received research grants from: Ambrx; Amgen Inc.; Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals; Daiichi Sankyo, Inc.; Dignitana AB; Eli Lilly and Company; Genentech, Inc.; GlaxoSmithKline; Immunomedics; MacroGenics, Inc.; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation; OBI Pharma, Inc.; Pfizer Inc; Pieris Pharmaceuticals Inc; Puma Biotechnology; Radius Health; Roche Pharma; sanofi-aventis; Seattle Genetics, Inc.

Key studies were presented at the 2020 American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting on next-generation BTK inhibitors, combination treatments, and CAR-T therapies for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Dr William Wierda of the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, reviews updated data from the MURANO and CLL14 trials, both of which demonstrated durable and long-term remissions with targeted combination therapies.

Dr Wierda also reviews an analysis of the primary endpoint for the CAPTIVATE study, which examined ibrutinib plus venetoclax, and updated data for LOXO-305, a reversible inhibitor of BTK demonstrating clear activity and good tolerability. 

He discusses two reports on the TRANSCEND anti-CD19 CAR T-cell trial. The first report compares CAR-T monotherapy to a combination of CAR-T therapy and ibrutinib. The second evaluates data from CAR-T monotherapy demonstrating a complete remission rate of 40%-60% along with undetectable MRD in bone marrow.

Finally, Dr Wierda reviews data from the UNITY phase 3 trial evaluating the combination of umbralisib plus ublituximab vs obinutuzumab plus chlorambucil in both the frontline and relapsed settings. The combination targeted therapy resulted in improved survival compared with the chemoimmunotherapy.

--

William G. Wierda, MD, PhD, Professor; Medical Director, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.

William G. Wierda, MD, PhD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Contracted research for: GlaxoSmithKline/Novartis; AbbVie; Genentech; Pharmacyclics LLC; Acerta Pharma, Inc.; Gilead Sciences; Juno Therapeutics; KITE Pharma; Sunesis; Miragen; Oncternal Therapeutics, Inc.; Cyclacel; Loxo Oncology, Inc.; Janssen; Xencor.

Key studies were presented at the 2020 American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting on next-generation BTK inhibitors, combination treatments, and CAR-T therapies for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Dr William Wierda of the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, reviews updated data from the MURANO and CLL14 trials, both of which demonstrated durable and long-term remissions with targeted combination therapies.

Dr Wierda also reviews an analysis of the primary endpoint for the CAPTIVATE study, which examined ibrutinib plus venetoclax, and updated data for LOXO-305, a reversible inhibitor of BTK demonstrating clear activity and good tolerability. 

He discusses two reports on the TRANSCEND anti-CD19 CAR T-cell trial. The first report compares CAR-T monotherapy to a combination of CAR-T therapy and ibrutinib. The second evaluates data from CAR-T monotherapy demonstrating a complete remission rate of 40%-60% along with undetectable MRD in bone marrow.

Finally, Dr Wierda reviews data from the UNITY phase 3 trial evaluating the combination of umbralisib plus ublituximab vs obinutuzumab plus chlorambucil in both the frontline and relapsed settings. The combination targeted therapy resulted in improved survival compared with the chemoimmunotherapy.

--

William G. Wierda, MD, PhD, Professor; Medical Director, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.

William G. Wierda, MD, PhD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Contracted research for: GlaxoSmithKline/Novartis; AbbVie; Genentech; Pharmacyclics LLC; Acerta Pharma, Inc.; Gilead Sciences; Juno Therapeutics; KITE Pharma; Sunesis; Miragen; Oncternal Therapeutics, Inc.; Cyclacel; Loxo Oncology, Inc.; Janssen; Xencor.

Key studies were presented at the 2020 American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting on next-generation BTK inhibitors, combination treatments, and CAR-T therapies for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Dr William Wierda of the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, reviews updated data from the MURANO and CLL14 trials, both of which demonstrated durable and long-term remissions with targeted combination therapies.

Dr Wierda also reviews an analysis of the primary endpoint for the CAPTIVATE study, which examined ibrutinib plus venetoclax, and updated data for LOXO-305, a reversible inhibitor of BTK demonstrating clear activity and good tolerability. 

He discusses two reports on the TRANSCEND anti-CD19 CAR T-cell trial. The first report compares CAR-T monotherapy to a combination of CAR-T therapy and ibrutinib. The second evaluates data from CAR-T monotherapy demonstrating a complete remission rate of 40%-60% along with undetectable MRD in bone marrow.

Finally, Dr Wierda reviews data from the UNITY phase 3 trial evaluating the combination of umbralisib plus ublituximab vs obinutuzumab plus chlorambucil in both the frontline and relapsed settings. The combination targeted therapy resulted in improved survival compared with the chemoimmunotherapy.

--

William G. Wierda, MD, PhD, Professor; Medical Director, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.

William G. Wierda, MD, PhD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Contracted research for: GlaxoSmithKline/Novartis; AbbVie; Genentech; Pharmacyclics LLC; Acerta Pharma, Inc.; Gilead Sciences; Juno Therapeutics; KITE Pharma; Sunesis; Miragen; Oncternal Therapeutics, Inc.; Cyclacel; Loxo Oncology, Inc.; Janssen; Xencor.

Joshua Brody, MD, Director of the Lymphoma Immunotherapy Program at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, highlights some of the exciting findings on classical Hodgkin lymphoma from the 62nd ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition, held virtually from December 5 to 8, 2020.

The efficacy of brentuximab vedotin (BV) as monotherapy or in combination was evaluated in patients aged 60 and older. Although all regimens appear to be effective, BV plus dacarbazine and BV plus nivolumab were shown to be the most promising combinations.

A 5-year update from the ECHELON-1 trial demonstrated that treatment with BV, doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A+AVD) maintained reported initial efficacy findings. Many patients with peripheral neuropathy showed improvement or complete resolution at follow up, and most with persisting symptoms had low-grade (grade 1 or 2) neuropathy.

Advanced immune monitoring techniques have revealed details about the T cells in Hodgkin tumors at single-cell resolution. Cytotoxic CD8+ T cells might be antitumor T cells that mediate response to anti-PD1 antibody therapies.

--

Joshua Brody, MD, is the director of the Lymphoma Immunotherapy Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Hess Center for Science and Medicine

Dr. Brody has no relevant disclosures.

Joshua Brody, MD, Director of the Lymphoma Immunotherapy Program at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, highlights some of the exciting findings on classical Hodgkin lymphoma from the 62nd ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition, held virtually from December 5 to 8, 2020.

The efficacy of brentuximab vedotin (BV) as monotherapy or in combination was evaluated in patients aged 60 and older. Although all regimens appear to be effective, BV plus dacarbazine and BV plus nivolumab were shown to be the most promising combinations.

A 5-year update from the ECHELON-1 trial demonstrated that treatment with BV, doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A+AVD) maintained reported initial efficacy findings. Many patients with peripheral neuropathy showed improvement or complete resolution at follow up, and most with persisting symptoms had low-grade (grade 1 or 2) neuropathy.

Advanced immune monitoring techniques have revealed details about the T cells in Hodgkin tumors at single-cell resolution. Cytotoxic CD8+ T cells might be antitumor T cells that mediate response to anti-PD1 antibody therapies.

--

Joshua Brody, MD, is the director of the Lymphoma Immunotherapy Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Hess Center for Science and Medicine

Dr. Brody has no relevant disclosures.

Joshua Brody, MD, Director of the Lymphoma Immunotherapy Program at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, highlights some of the exciting findings on classical Hodgkin lymphoma from the 62nd ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition, held virtually from December 5 to 8, 2020.

The efficacy of brentuximab vedotin (BV) as monotherapy or in combination was evaluated in patients aged 60 and older. Although all regimens appear to be effective, BV plus dacarbazine and BV plus nivolumab were shown to be the most promising combinations.

A 5-year update from the ECHELON-1 trial demonstrated that treatment with BV, doxorubicin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine (A+AVD) maintained reported initial efficacy findings. Many patients with peripheral neuropathy showed improvement or complete resolution at follow up, and most with persisting symptoms had low-grade (grade 1 or 2) neuropathy.

Advanced immune monitoring techniques have revealed details about the T cells in Hodgkin tumors at single-cell resolution. Cytotoxic CD8+ T cells might be antitumor T cells that mediate response to anti-PD1 antibody therapies.

--

Joshua Brody, MD, is the director of the Lymphoma Immunotherapy Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Hess Center for Science and Medicine

Dr. Brody has no relevant disclosures.

Dr Stanley Cohen, of the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, reviews key abstracts on the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that were presented at this year's American College of Rheumatology (ACR) annual meeting, held virtually because of COVID-19.

Dr Cohen highlights the updated ACR pharmacologic recommendations for the treatment of RA, including the need to maximize methotrexate therapy as well as the avoidance of glucocorticoids and their associated long-term toxicity.

Dr Cohen discusses two abstracts addressing the use of the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) in patients with RA, including research from Sweden comparing immunologic response in patients taking JAK inhibitors with that of patients not on disease-modifying therapy. He also reports on a safety study from the Cleveland Clinic which followed patients after they received RZV and measured their rate of flares over 3 months.

Additionally, he discusses recent trial data on the incidence of and risk for venous thromboembolism events in patients with RA enrolled in the upadacitinib phase 3 clinical trial program.

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Stanley B. Cohen, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Rheumatic Diseases Division, UT Southwestern Medical School; Director, Division of Rheumatology, Texas Health Resources, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Dallas, Texas.

Stanley B. Cohen, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Received research grant from: Amgen; AbbVie; Genentech; Gilead; Pfizer; Roche.
 

Dr Stanley Cohen, of the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, reviews key abstracts on the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that were presented at this year's American College of Rheumatology (ACR) annual meeting, held virtually because of COVID-19.

Dr Cohen highlights the updated ACR pharmacologic recommendations for the treatment of RA, including the need to maximize methotrexate therapy as well as the avoidance of glucocorticoids and their associated long-term toxicity.

Dr Cohen discusses two abstracts addressing the use of the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) in patients with RA, including research from Sweden comparing immunologic response in patients taking JAK inhibitors with that of patients not on disease-modifying therapy. He also reports on a safety study from the Cleveland Clinic which followed patients after they received RZV and measured their rate of flares over 3 months.

Additionally, he discusses recent trial data on the incidence of and risk for venous thromboembolism events in patients with RA enrolled in the upadacitinib phase 3 clinical trial program.

--

Stanley B. Cohen, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Rheumatic Diseases Division, UT Southwestern Medical School; Director, Division of Rheumatology, Texas Health Resources, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Dallas, Texas.

Stanley B. Cohen, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Received research grant from: Amgen; AbbVie; Genentech; Gilead; Pfizer; Roche.
 

Dr Stanley Cohen, of the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, reviews key abstracts on the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that were presented at this year's American College of Rheumatology (ACR) annual meeting, held virtually because of COVID-19.

Dr Cohen highlights the updated ACR pharmacologic recommendations for the treatment of RA, including the need to maximize methotrexate therapy as well as the avoidance of glucocorticoids and their associated long-term toxicity.

Dr Cohen discusses two abstracts addressing the use of the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) in patients with RA, including research from Sweden comparing immunologic response in patients taking JAK inhibitors with that of patients not on disease-modifying therapy. He also reports on a safety study from the Cleveland Clinic which followed patients after they received RZV and measured their rate of flares over 3 months.

Additionally, he discusses recent trial data on the incidence of and risk for venous thromboembolism events in patients with RA enrolled in the upadacitinib phase 3 clinical trial program.

--

Stanley B. Cohen, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Rheumatic Diseases Division, UT Southwestern Medical School; Director, Division of Rheumatology, Texas Health Resources, Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Dallas, Texas.

Stanley B. Cohen, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Received research grant from: Amgen; AbbVie; Genentech; Gilead; Pfizer; Roche.
 

New study results from British researchers show that dactylitis may be a clinical indicator of an aggressive phenotype of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). That phenotype is marked by a significantly greater swollen joint count, tender joint count, C-reactive protein, erosive damage, and ultrasound synovitis in very early disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)-naive PsA.

The dactylitis study is noted by Dr Saakshi Khattri, assistant professor of rheumatology and dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, as one of the key findings on PsA presented at ACR Convergence 2020, the American College of Rheumatology's first all-virtual annual meeting. Researchers from Leeds, United Kingdom, concluded that dactylitis may help differentiate risk among patients in an early disease stage.

Another study from researchers in the UK also addresses very early DMARD-naive PsA patients. It found that clinically, swollen joints are linked to power Doppler‒detected synovitis, but tender, nonswollen joints are not.

Also in this ReCAP, Dr Khattri discusses a population-based study from the Mayo Clinic that shows that patients with a family history of psoriasis and severe psoriasis experience a delay in transitioning to PsA. She highlights an interim report about an emerging risk-prediction model that may improve early detection of PsA. Finally, Dr Khattri shares a quality-of-life survey from the National Psoriasis Foundation about the prevalence of unacceptable symptom states in PsA, which reinforces that PsA is far from adequately treated.
--

Saakshi Khattri, MBBS, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Divisions of Rheumatology and Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Director, Center for Connective Tissue Diseases at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. 

Saakshi Khattri, MBBS, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: Novartis
Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Janssen
Received research grant from: Pfizer
Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Pfizer; Novartis.

New study results from British researchers show that dactylitis may be a clinical indicator of an aggressive phenotype of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). That phenotype is marked by a significantly greater swollen joint count, tender joint count, C-reactive protein, erosive damage, and ultrasound synovitis in very early disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)-naive PsA.

The dactylitis study is noted by Dr Saakshi Khattri, assistant professor of rheumatology and dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, as one of the key findings on PsA presented at ACR Convergence 2020, the American College of Rheumatology's first all-virtual annual meeting. Researchers from Leeds, United Kingdom, concluded that dactylitis may help differentiate risk among patients in an early disease stage.

Another study from researchers in the UK also addresses very early DMARD-naive PsA patients. It found that clinically, swollen joints are linked to power Doppler‒detected synovitis, but tender, nonswollen joints are not.

Also in this ReCAP, Dr Khattri discusses a population-based study from the Mayo Clinic that shows that patients with a family history of psoriasis and severe psoriasis experience a delay in transitioning to PsA. She highlights an interim report about an emerging risk-prediction model that may improve early detection of PsA. Finally, Dr Khattri shares a quality-of-life survey from the National Psoriasis Foundation about the prevalence of unacceptable symptom states in PsA, which reinforces that PsA is far from adequately treated.
--

Saakshi Khattri, MBBS, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Divisions of Rheumatology and Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Director, Center for Connective Tissue Diseases at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. 

Saakshi Khattri, MBBS, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: Novartis
Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Janssen
Received research grant from: Pfizer
Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Pfizer; Novartis.

New study results from British researchers show that dactylitis may be a clinical indicator of an aggressive phenotype of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). That phenotype is marked by a significantly greater swollen joint count, tender joint count, C-reactive protein, erosive damage, and ultrasound synovitis in very early disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)-naive PsA.

The dactylitis study is noted by Dr Saakshi Khattri, assistant professor of rheumatology and dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, as one of the key findings on PsA presented at ACR Convergence 2020, the American College of Rheumatology's first all-virtual annual meeting. Researchers from Leeds, United Kingdom, concluded that dactylitis may help differentiate risk among patients in an early disease stage.

Another study from researchers in the UK also addresses very early DMARD-naive PsA patients. It found that clinically, swollen joints are linked to power Doppler‒detected synovitis, but tender, nonswollen joints are not.

Also in this ReCAP, Dr Khattri discusses a population-based study from the Mayo Clinic that shows that patients with a family history of psoriasis and severe psoriasis experience a delay in transitioning to PsA. She highlights an interim report about an emerging risk-prediction model that may improve early detection of PsA. Finally, Dr Khattri shares a quality-of-life survey from the National Psoriasis Foundation about the prevalence of unacceptable symptom states in PsA, which reinforces that PsA is far from adequately treated.
--

Saakshi Khattri, MBBS, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Divisions of Rheumatology and Dermatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; Director, Center for Connective Tissue Diseases at Mount Sinai, New York, NY. 

Saakshi Khattri, MBBS, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant, or trustee for: Novartis
Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Janssen
Received research grant from: Pfizer
Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: Pfizer; Novartis.

The American College of Rheumatology hosted its first-ever all-virtual annual meeting this year. Convergence 2020 highlighted several important treatment abstracts related to systemic lupus erythematosus. 

Dr Michelle Petri, of Johns Hopkins University, reports on the use of hydroxychloroquine, which was not found to be associated with QTc length in a large cohort of patients with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. This is notable because hydroxychloroquine was implicated in ventricular arrhythmias in patients with COVID-19 who were also given azithromycin.

Dr Petri also looks at the results of two trials focusing on the effects of belimumab and obinutuzumab on renal outcomes.

In the belimumab trial, the primary outcome was a 700-mg reduction in the urine protein to creatinine ratio, and it met that outcome with a 10.8% delta that was statistically significant. It also met the complete renal response outcome of less than 500 mg with a 10% delta, which is statistically significant.

In the other study, obinutuzumab showed a marked improvement over rituximab as a B-cell depleter.

The completion of the phase 2 trial means that there are now 2 years of data showing a 19% delta between obinutuzumab and standard-of-care treatment.  

Finally, Dr Petri highlights two studies focusing on nonrenal lupus and the use of both BIIB059 and iberdomide.

--

Michelle Petri, MD, MPH, Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Director, Johns Hopkins Lupus Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.

Michelle Petri, MD, MPH, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Received research grant from: GlaxoSmithKline; Eli Lilly and Company; Thermo Fisher; Hexagen; AstraZeneca
Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: AbbVie; Amgen; AstraZeneca; Blackrock; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Hexagen; Glenmark; GlaxoSmithKline; IQVIA; Janssen; Eli Lilly and Company; Merck; EMD Serono; Novartis; Sanofi; Thermo Fisher; UCB

The American College of Rheumatology hosted its first-ever all-virtual annual meeting this year. Convergence 2020 highlighted several important treatment abstracts related to systemic lupus erythematosus. 

Dr Michelle Petri, of Johns Hopkins University, reports on the use of hydroxychloroquine, which was not found to be associated with QTc length in a large cohort of patients with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. This is notable because hydroxychloroquine was implicated in ventricular arrhythmias in patients with COVID-19 who were also given azithromycin.

Dr Petri also looks at the results of two trials focusing on the effects of belimumab and obinutuzumab on renal outcomes.

In the belimumab trial, the primary outcome was a 700-mg reduction in the urine protein to creatinine ratio, and it met that outcome with a 10.8% delta that was statistically significant. It also met the complete renal response outcome of less than 500 mg with a 10% delta, which is statistically significant.

In the other study, obinutuzumab showed a marked improvement over rituximab as a B-cell depleter.

The completion of the phase 2 trial means that there are now 2 years of data showing a 19% delta between obinutuzumab and standard-of-care treatment.  

Finally, Dr Petri highlights two studies focusing on nonrenal lupus and the use of both BIIB059 and iberdomide.

--

Michelle Petri, MD, MPH, Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Director, Johns Hopkins Lupus Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.

Michelle Petri, MD, MPH, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Received research grant from: GlaxoSmithKline; Eli Lilly and Company; Thermo Fisher; Hexagen; AstraZeneca
Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: AbbVie; Amgen; AstraZeneca; Blackrock; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Hexagen; Glenmark; GlaxoSmithKline; IQVIA; Janssen; Eli Lilly and Company; Merck; EMD Serono; Novartis; Sanofi; Thermo Fisher; UCB

The American College of Rheumatology hosted its first-ever all-virtual annual meeting this year. Convergence 2020 highlighted several important treatment abstracts related to systemic lupus erythematosus. 

Dr Michelle Petri, of Johns Hopkins University, reports on the use of hydroxychloroquine, which was not found to be associated with QTc length in a large cohort of patients with lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. This is notable because hydroxychloroquine was implicated in ventricular arrhythmias in patients with COVID-19 who were also given azithromycin.

Dr Petri also looks at the results of two trials focusing on the effects of belimumab and obinutuzumab on renal outcomes.

In the belimumab trial, the primary outcome was a 700-mg reduction in the urine protein to creatinine ratio, and it met that outcome with a 10.8% delta that was statistically significant. It also met the complete renal response outcome of less than 500 mg with a 10% delta, which is statistically significant.

In the other study, obinutuzumab showed a marked improvement over rituximab as a B-cell depleter.

The completion of the phase 2 trial means that there are now 2 years of data showing a 19% delta between obinutuzumab and standard-of-care treatment.  

Finally, Dr Petri highlights two studies focusing on nonrenal lupus and the use of both BIIB059 and iberdomide.

--

Michelle Petri, MD, MPH, Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Director, Johns Hopkins Lupus Center, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.

Michelle Petri, MD, MPH, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Received research grant from: GlaxoSmithKline; Eli Lilly and Company; Thermo Fisher; Hexagen; AstraZeneca
Received income in an amount equal to or greater than $250 from: AbbVie; Amgen; AstraZeneca; Blackrock; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Hexagen; Glenmark; GlaxoSmithKline; IQVIA; Janssen; Eli Lilly and Company; Merck; EMD Serono; Novartis; Sanofi; Thermo Fisher; UCB

Miguel Regueiro, MD, an expert in gastroenterology at the Cleveland Clinic, offers his choice of the most important and clinically relevant studies on Crohn's disease presented at the American College of Gastroenterology 2020 virtual annual scientific meeting.

First he looks at studies reflecting three medical approaches to treating the disease. He initially reports on the CELEST open-label extension study examining the safety and efficacy of 2 years of upadacitinib treatment.

Then he discusses the IM-UNITI long-term extension study, which took treatment with ustekinumab out to 5 years, the longest reported duration for an anti-IL-12/23 treatment.

Finally, he looks at a retrospective cohort study of the combination of vedolizumab and ustekinumab, which found that this may be an effective option for patients with refractory disease.

Switching gears, Dr Regueiro focuses on surgery-related studies, presenting an analysis of whether the type of surgical anastomosis influences long-term outcomes and opioid requirement.

Next up is a study of whether prior surgical history is the strongest predictor of postoperative Crohn's disease recurrence.

The last abstract he discusses examines whether preoperative medication exposure is associated with postoperative complications in patients undergoing ileocolic resection. The findings indicate that preoperative treatment should not be seen as a reason to delay surgery.

Miguel D. Regueiro, MD, Chairman, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition; Vice-Chair, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio.

Miguel D. Regueiro, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: Serve(d) as an advisor and/or consultant for: AbbVie; Janssen; UCB; Takeda; Pfizer; Miraca Labs; Amgen; Celgene; Seres; Allergan; Genentech; Gilead; Salix; Prometheus. Received unrestricted educational grants from: AbbVie; Janssen; UCB; Pfizer; Takeda; Salix; Shire. Received research support from AbbVie; Janssen; Takeda; Pfizer.

Miguel Regueiro, MD, an expert in gastroenterology at the Cleveland Clinic, offers his choice of the most important and clinically relevant studies on Crohn's disease presented at the American College of Gastroenterology 2020 virtual annual scientific meeting.

First he looks at studies reflecting three medical approaches to treating the disease. He initially reports on the CELEST open-label extension study examining the safety and efficacy of 2 years of upadacitinib treatment.

Then he discusses the IM-UNITI long-term extension study, which took treatment with ustekinumab out to 5 years, the longest reported duration for an anti-IL-12/23 treatment.

Finally, he looks at a retrospective cohort study of the combination of vedolizumab and ustekinumab, which found that this may be an effective option for patients with refractory disease.

Switching gears, Dr Regueiro focuses on surgery-related studies, presenting an analysis of whether the type of surgical anastomosis influences long-term outcomes and opioid requirement.

Next up is a study of whether prior surgical history is the strongest predictor of postoperative Crohn's disease recurrence.

The last abstract he discusses examines whether preoperative medication exposure is associated with postoperative complications in patients undergoing ileocolic resection. The findings indicate that preoperative treatment should not be seen as a reason to delay surgery.

Miguel D. Regueiro, MD, Chairman, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition; Vice-Chair, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio.

Miguel D. Regueiro, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: Serve(d) as an advisor and/or consultant for: AbbVie; Janssen; UCB; Takeda; Pfizer; Miraca Labs; Amgen; Celgene; Seres; Allergan; Genentech; Gilead; Salix; Prometheus. Received unrestricted educational grants from: AbbVie; Janssen; UCB; Pfizer; Takeda; Salix; Shire. Received research support from AbbVie; Janssen; Takeda; Pfizer.

Miguel Regueiro, MD, an expert in gastroenterology at the Cleveland Clinic, offers his choice of the most important and clinically relevant studies on Crohn's disease presented at the American College of Gastroenterology 2020 virtual annual scientific meeting.

First he looks at studies reflecting three medical approaches to treating the disease. He initially reports on the CELEST open-label extension study examining the safety and efficacy of 2 years of upadacitinib treatment.

Then he discusses the IM-UNITI long-term extension study, which took treatment with ustekinumab out to 5 years, the longest reported duration for an anti-IL-12/23 treatment.

Finally, he looks at a retrospective cohort study of the combination of vedolizumab and ustekinumab, which found that this may be an effective option for patients with refractory disease.

Switching gears, Dr Regueiro focuses on surgery-related studies, presenting an analysis of whether the type of surgical anastomosis influences long-term outcomes and opioid requirement.

Next up is a study of whether prior surgical history is the strongest predictor of postoperative Crohn's disease recurrence.

The last abstract he discusses examines whether preoperative medication exposure is associated with postoperative complications in patients undergoing ileocolic resection. The findings indicate that preoperative treatment should not be seen as a reason to delay surgery.

Miguel D. Regueiro, MD, Chairman, Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition; Vice-Chair, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio.

Miguel D. Regueiro, MD, has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships: Serve(d) as an advisor and/or consultant for: AbbVie; Janssen; UCB; Takeda; Pfizer; Miraca Labs; Amgen; Celgene; Seres; Allergan; Genentech; Gilead; Salix; Prometheus. Received unrestricted educational grants from: AbbVie; Janssen; UCB; Pfizer; Takeda; Salix; Shire. Received research support from AbbVie; Janssen; Takeda; Pfizer.