Living Rheum

Despite advances in biologics, many patients with rheumatoid arthritis still experience persistent inflammation. However, cadherin-6 has recently been identified as a potential treatment target. Hear from Dr. Gary Firestein as he explains the discovery, function, and therapeutic potential of cadherin-6 in rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis. Dr. Firestein is a Distinguished Professor of Medicine and the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences at UC San Diego.

While cadherin-6 may not yet shift clinical practice in rheumatoid arthritis, its role as a surface-expressed, actionable target opens the door to rapid therapeutic development—particularly with existing antibodies already in clinical trials for urologic cancers. Dr. Gary Firestein discusses the potential for cadherin-6 to become a useful target across multiple diseases. Dr. Firestein is a Distinguished Professor of Medicine and the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences at UC San Diego.

New research presented at the 2025 American College of Rheumatology Convergence highlights a critical link between adverse childhood experiences and mental health outcomes in adolescents with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE). In this AudioAbstract, Ryan Quigley explores the findings, the implications for trauma-informed care, and the need to assess psychosocial history in managing cSLE.

Preventing serious infections should be a priority when treating patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases, especially those receiving immunosuppressive therapies. By assessing patients’ level of immunocompetence, clinicians can better tailor vaccination strategies and optimize infection prevention. Hear Dr. Leonard Calabrese discuss how to evaluate immunosuppression risk and coordinate timely vaccinations for patients undergoing immunomodulatory treatments. Dr. Calabrese heads the Section of Clinical Immunology at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where he manages the Clinical Immunology Clinic and is on the staff of the Department of Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases. He also spoke on this topic at the 2025 Congress of Clinical Rheumatology West conference.

Despite common misconceptions, lupus nephritis is part of a broader immune imbalance seen in systemic lupus, not a separate condition. This is why it's important to shift focus from organ-specific treatment to immune dysregulation targeting. Hear Dr. Joan Merrill, Professor at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation’s Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program in Oklahoma City, discuss the spectrum of lupus and, based on that, considerations for treatment. Dr. Merrill also presented on this topic at the 2025 Congress of Clinical Rheumatology West conference.

Chronic pain is now recognized as a distinct disease that requires more than just a symptom-based approach. Lifestyle factors and psychological health are also important considerations for care, which is why a biopsychosocial approach can be key to better outcomes. Hear Dr. Martin Cheatle discuss the importance of this clinical mindset shift and practical strategies to help patients reduce suffering and improve function. Dr. Cheatle is an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and serves as Director of Behavioral Medicine at the PENN Pain Medicine Center and Director of Pain and Chemical Dependency Research at the Center for Studies of Addiction. He also gave a presentation on this topic at the 2025 Congress of Clinical Rheumatology West conference.

Diagnosing long COVID continues to pose challenges for clinicians and patients alike. While 2024 diagnostic criteria from the National Academies aimed to make navigating it easier, the framework may raise some concerns, particularly for rheumatologists. Hear Ryan Quigley break down a commentary on the criteria published in July 2025 in Arthritis & Rheumatology that outlines why it may cause problems in the rheumatology community.

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is a severely disabling myopathy in which extraskeletal bone forms and accumulates over time within muscles and soft tissues.1,2 Here’s what we know so far about the mechanisms of heterotopic ossification in patients with FOP.

References:

1. Kaplan FS et al. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2008;22:191–205.
2. Pignolo RJ et al. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2011;6:80.

© 2025 Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals Inc. All rights reserved. ALLSC-US-001927 | August 2025

A thoughtful, communicative, and compassionate approach to opioid use is essential for responsible patient use. Join Dr. Martin Cheatle as he explains the neuroscience of chronic pain, the psychosocial components often overlooked in these patients, and evidence-based strategies for evaluating risk and treatment response. Dr. Cheatle is the Director of Behavioral Medicine at the Penn Pain Medicine Center as well as an Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Anesthesiology, and Critical Care and the Director of Pain and Chemical Dependency Research at the Center for Studies of Addiction at the University of Pennsylvania. He also presented on this topic at the 2025 Congress of Clinical Rheumatology East conference.

Lupus arises from a complex interaction of genetics, environmental stimuli, and immune system errors. Dive into the pathophysiology behind the disease with Dr. Michelle Kahlenberg, the Giles Boles and Dorothy Mulkey Research Professor of Rheumatology and Professor of Internal Medicine and Dermatology at the University of Michigan, as she examines the mechanisms that contribute to the development of autoreactive immune responses. Dr. Kahlenberg also spoke about this topic at the 2025 Congress of Clinical Rheumatology East conference.