A Phase 1 Study of Autologous CAR-Treg Cells in Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis: Interim Report of Safety and Efficacy
Abstract format and assignment number: Late-breaking abstract LB23
Presenting author: Kohler Minna (USA)
Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025, 9:00 AM
SBT777101, an autologous CAR-Treg therapy targeting citrullinated proteins present in the synovium of RA patients, was evaluated in the ongoing phase 1 Regulate-RA study for refractory rheumatoid arthritis (DAS28-CRP ≥ 3.2 and failure to ≥ 3 b/tsDMARDs). Six patients were treated to date, with no cytokine release syndrome, neurotoxicity, or dose-limiting toxicities observed. Four of six participants (67%) showed ≥ 50% improvement in joint counts and DAS28-CRP reductions by week 4, with sustained benefits up to 18 weeks. Synovial biopsies revealed reduced inflammation.
Association of Semaglutide Prescription with Improved Joint Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Abstract format and assignment number: Poster 2286
Presenting author: Faissal Stipho (USA)
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 10:30 AM
This study analyzed over 300,000 rheumatoid arthritis patients from the TriNetX database to assess the impact of semaglutide use on rheumatoid arthritis flares and disease activity. Patients prescribed semaglutide were propensity-score matched to patients not receiving semaglutide and showed significantly lower 30-day, 90-day, and 1-year risks of joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and synovitis compared to controls. These findings suggest a beneficial effect of semaglutide on RA disease activity; however, prospective data are needed for further investigation.
Molecular Stratification of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients by Multi-Omics Integration Reveals Disease Status and Predictors of Therapeutic Response
Abstract format and assignment number: Abstract 0795
Presenting author: Ismael Sanchez-Pareja (Spain)
Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025, 1:00 PM
This study used multi-omic data to predict treatment response in RA patients starting new therapies (csDMARDs in early RA, or TNFi or JAKi in advanced RA). Unsupervised clustering of PBMC transcriptomes identified 3 gene module groups relevant to innate and adaptive immune mechanisms, inflammation and metabolism, which may support more individualized treatment choices in early and established RA.
Does First-Line b- or tsDMARDs Choice Influence Progression to Difficult-to-Treat Rheumatoid arthritis? Insights from our longitudinal RA UCLouvain Brussels cohort
Abstract format and assignment number: Abstract 1679
Presenting author: Cécile Van Mullem (Belgium)
Date: Monday, October 27, 2025, 2:15 PM
In this retrospective cohort study of 675 rheumatoid arthritis patients (median follow-up 217 months), 18.8% developed difficult-to-treat (D2T) RA. D2T patients were younger, had greater functional impairment (measured by the HAQ), and more frequent steroid use before biologic therapy. Despite earlier access to b/tsDMARDs after 2000, D2T rates remained unchanged. Treatment class at initiation did not affect D2T progression in this study. Third line biologics were mainly switched due to inefficacy rather than adverse events or other causes, which highlights the severe and persistent inflammation in this subgroup of patients.
Longitudinal peripheral blood multi-omic profiling in at-risk individuals uncovers immune signatures and predictive models for future rheumatoid arthritis conversion
Abstract format and assignment number: Plenary 0774
Presenting author: Cécile Van Mullem (Belgium)
Date: Monday, October 27, 2025, 2:15 PM
This study applied multi-omic profiling in CCP-positive individuals from the StopRA trial (Hydroxychloroquine in at-risk RA), and identified immunologic features that may differentiate at-risk individuals that develop RA from those that do not (such as T peripheral helper cells, expanded cytotoxic CD8+ subsets, increased chromatin accessibility at immune regulatory loci such as PTPN22). A predictive model predicting RA onset in at-risk individuals was further proposed and may guide more targeted prevention strategies.
Cardiovascular Outcomes in Diabetic Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: TNF-α Inhibitors versus IL-6 Inhibitors
Abstract format and assignment number: Poster 2284
Presenting author: Sila Matea Faxas (USA)
Date: Tuesday, October 28, 2025, 10:30 AM
This was a retrospective analysis of the TriNetX cohort. Patients with RA and type 2 diabetes receiving IL-6 inhibitors were compared to those receiving TNF inhibitors. The study showed a higher risk of mortality (HR = 1.6), heart failure (HR = 1.4), acute kidney failure (HR = 1.8), and other cardiovascular events like arrythmias and pulmonary embolisms in the IL-6i group, while TNFi-treated patients had more diabetes follow-up visits. Prospective data are needed to confirm these findings, and it is still unclear whether such differences may be attributable to a cardioprotective effect of TNF or adverse events associated with IL6i.
Victoria Konzett
Victoria is a resident and PhD fellow at the Division of Rheumatology at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria. Her major research interests are clinical and translational research projects in rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, with a focus on strategic advancements and outcomes research in both diseases. Victoria is a member of the Newsletter Sub-Committee and the Young Division of the Austrian Society of Rheumatology.