April 2026 to July 2026
Author: Giovanni Fulvio
Anti-CD19 CAR-T cell therapy as rescue treatment in systemic sclerosis relapsing after autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a case series
Rimar et al. evaluated anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy as rescue treatment in three patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) relapsing after autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT). At 12 months, two patients achieved ≥10% improvement in forced vital capacity and ≥25% reduction in modified Rodnan skin score, with reduced ground-glass opacities on CT; the non-responder showed no CAR-T expansion. Toxicity was mild, with grade 1 cytokine release syndrome and one line-related thrombosis.
Clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential and relapses in patients with GCA
Cellier et al. prospectively evaluated whether clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) predicts relapse in 40 patients with newly diagnosed giant cell arteritis (GCA). CHIP was detected in 45%, and 42% relapsed within 12 months. In multivariable analysis, CHIP was strongly associated with 12-month relapse (OR 9.94, 95% CI 2.98–33.17; p=0.0002), alongside ophthalmic involvement at diagnosis (OR 4.02, 95% CI 1.19–13.56; p<0.025).
Automated high-resolution CT analysis outperforms
visual assessment in predicting interstitial lung disease
progression in SSc
Motta et al. retrospectively compared automated and visual high-resolution CT (HRCT) assessment in 33 patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). Both approaches detected fibrosis progression, but only automated analysis identified increasing ground-glass opacity (GGO) and decreasing normal lung tissue. Early automated GGO increase predicted subsequent functional decline (p=0.04); a >50 mL increase showed 81% sensitivity and 77% specificity.
Epithelial senescence predicts salivary dysfunction in Sjögren disease and glandular integrity defines residual capacity
Cheng et al. investigated whether glandular integrity and epithelial senescence predict salivary dysfunction in 51 anti-SSA-positive patients with Sjögren disease (SjD) undergoing submandibular gland biopsy. Greater glandular preservation was associated with higher baseline unstimulated whole saliva flow, whereas increased ductal p16INK4a expression independently predicted greater longitudinal decline (p<0.001). Senescence peaked at intermediate gland preservation, identifying a potentially vulnerable transitional stage despite relatively preserved architecture.
Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia in Sjögren disease: clinical course and comparison with other ILD patterns
La Rocca et al. retrospectively characterized lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP) in 55 patients with Sjögren disease-associated interstitial lung disease (SjD-ILD), comparing 11 LIP cases with 44 other ILD patterns. LIP was associated with younger age, greater systemic involvement and B-cell hyperactivity, but better-preserved lung function; after a median 5-year follow-up, all LIP patients were alive with stable pulmonary function tests. ILD preceded SjD diagnosis less often in LIP (1/11 vs 30/44; p<0.001).
Giovanni Fulvio, MD PhD
Country: Italy
Giovanni is a rheumatologist and researcher at the University of Pisa, where he completed a PhD in Clinical and Translational Sciences.
His research is focused on salivary gland ultrasonography and the role of imaging techniques in rheumatology, particularly in the diagnosis and management of Sjögren’s syndrome. He completed his fellowship at the Rheumatology Unit, University of Pisa, where he also serves as a tutor in salivary gland ultrasonography.
Giovanni is actively involved in European and national professional networks. He is a member of the Italian Society of Rheumatology, ERN ReCONNET, including the Sjögren’s disease group and the Transversal Working Group on Pregnancy and Family Planning, and EMEUNET. He has also served on the EMEUNET Newsletter Sub-Committee since 2024.