Top in rheumatology: Ivermectin, cytokine storm syndrome

Experts said that ivermectin has demonstrated in vitro activity against SARS-CoV-2, but due to the lack of clinical data, they are skeptical of its potential as a COVID-19 therapy.

Despite this, experts said ivermectin (Stromectol, Merck) is often used to treat COVID-19 in certain areas such as India and South America. An in-depth look at the role of ivermectin in COVID-19 was the top story in rheumatology last week.

Another top story was about a recent presentation on cytokine storm syndrome. The pandemic has led to increased research about this abstruse syndrome. The presenter described the syndrome and how it relates to COVID-19 infection.

Read these and more top stories in rheumatology below:

New COVID-19 drug, same playbook: Like hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin lacks 'strong data'

The FDA is clear about the use of ivermectin, a drug used primarily to treat intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis, as a potential therapy for COVID-19: It is not approved. Read more.

Medical research ‘just starting to scratch the surface’ on cytokine storm syndrome

While COVID-19 launched cytokine storm syndrome to the forefront of medical research, there is still much to be learned about these hyperactive immune events, according to a presenter at the Biologic Therapies Summit. Read more.

Despite abundance of biologics for PsA, disease domains 'dictate treatment'

Although a range of biologic options are available to clinicians treating psoriatic arthritis, it crucial to know which disease domains are involved as this will “dictate treatment,” according to a presenter at the Biologic Therapies Summit. Read more.

COVID-19 registries for rheumatology patients show 'reassuring' trends

While certain rheumatology drugs are associated with increased hospitalizations in COVID-19, individuals with rheumatologic diseases largely experience outcomes comparable to general population, according to a presenter at the Biologic Therapies Summit. Read more.

‘Therapeutic headway’ still lacking for rare VEXAS disease

VEXAS syndrome is a recently discovered disease that features fever, orchitis, skin nodules and small- or medium-vessel vasculitis, among other symptoms, according to a presenter at the Biologic Therapies Summit. Read more.