Cancer Risk in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Receiving Biologic and Targeted Synthetic Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs: Data from a Multicenter National Real-World Registry
Abstract format and assignment number: Oral presentation OP0065
Presenting author: J Molina-Collada (Spain)
Date: Wednesday 11th June 2025, 16:30
This large real-world cohort study assessed cancer risk in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients treated with biologic or targeted synthetic DMARDs. Among 4,635 patients, no increased risk of cancer (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) was observed with IL-6i, CD20i, JAKi or CTLA4-A, compared to TNF inhibitors. Adjusted analyses also showed no excess non-melanoma skin cancer risk. These findings support the overall safety of b/tsDMARDs regarding malignancy.
The risk of cancer recurrence with bDMARD treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and a history of cancer: a nationwide Danish register-based cohort study
Abstract format and assignment number: Oral presentation OP0066
Presenting author: R Westermann (Denmark)
Date: Wednesday 11th June 2025, 16:40
This nationwide Danish cohort study assessed cancer recurrence risk in 720 RA patients with solid cancer in remission treated with bDMARDs or csDMARDs. No statistically significant increase in cancer recurrence was found for bDMARDs overall, TNFi or rituximab, compared to csDMARDs. These results support the safety of bDMARDs in this population, aligning with recent EULAR guidance, though limited power means a small increased risk cannot be fully excluded.
Add-on vs. Replacement csDMARD Strategies Post-Methotrexate: A European analysis on csDMARD Treatment Choices
Abstract format and assignment number: Oral presentation OP0192
Presenting author: N Steinz (Netherlands)
Date: Thursday 12th June 2025, 10:50
This European study analysed csDMARD strategies in early RA patients who failed methotrexate. Among 2,198 such patients, switching to another csDMARD (especially hydroxychloroquine) showed better treatment survival (44 vs 24 months) than adding a csDMARD. Outcomes varied by drug and strategy, with leflunomide showing the poorest survival. These findings highlight real-world variation in csDMARD sequencing and suggest that switching may be more durable than combination approaches post-MTX.
Safety of combined methotrexate and leflunomide long-term usage in rheumatoid arthritis: Data from the observational, multicenter REAL study
Abstract format and assignment number: Oral presentation OP0195
Presenting author: C Albuquerque (Brazil)
Date: Thursday 12th June 2025, 11:20
This large Brazilian multicentre study evaluated the long-term safety of methotrexate plus leflunomide in RA. Among 1,115 patients, no increased risk of liver fibrosis was observed with the combination, even with prolonged exposure. The current combined use was associated with mildly elevated ALT, but fewer hospitalisations. Overall, the MTX+LEF combo showed an acceptable safety profile in real-life settings, challenging concerns over cumulative hepatotoxicity.
Long-Term Prevention of RA in high-risk individuals after a 6-Month Placebo-Controlled Intervention with Abatacept -The ARIAA Trial
Abstract format and assignment number: Oral presentation OP0325
Presenting author: K Tascilar (Germany)
Date: Friday 13th June 2025, 10:50
The ARIAA trial showed that a 6-month abatacept course delayed the onset of RA in ACPA-positive individuals with subclinical inflammation. RA-free survival gains persisted up to 5 years post-treatment, with an average 40-week delay in RA onset compared to placebo. Long-term benefits diminished over time, but initial responders had lower inflammation and better baseline function, supporting early risk-based preventive strategies in at-risk populations.
Roba Ghossan
Roba is a rheumatologist at the Department of Rheumatology of Cochin Hospital APHP in Paris, France. Her main clinical and research interests include inflammatory rheumatic diseases, musculoskeletal ultrasound and epidemiology. Roba is a member of the French Society of Rheumatology and the society’s young rheumatologists section (REF).
She is a member of the EMEUNET Visibility and Global Affairs Sub-Committee.