Emerging data suggest that the frequency of long-term opioid use is high among individuals with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases, which is of concern given the risks of opioid misuse. But is long-term opioid use really that high or is the situation more complicated?

Nanoparticles consisting of long DNA molecules in association with Ca2+ and PPi4− ions can modulate the pathological osteoporotic microenvironment and promote bone repair.

A monoclonal antibody targeting a peptide that replicates the proinflammatory properties of IL-17 has shown potent activity and an acceptable profile of adverse effects in pre-clinical studies.

HIF-1 can regulate the cytotoxic activity of skin-infiltrating T cells in cutaneous lupus erythematosus and is a potential therapeutic target.

Although inflammatory arthritis induced by immune-checkpoint inhibitors clinically resembles that of rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis, research shows that it differs in its associated T cell response.

A new tool, PRESTO, enables estimation of the 1-year and 5-year risks of the development of psoriatic arthritis in patients with psoriasis.

New research provides insights into the mechanisms underlying the renal protective effects of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors in lupus nephritis.

New findings suggest that liposome-mediated delivery of a specific microRNA inhibitor can restore anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization and reduce joint inflammation in mice.

The rise in the use of digital health-care technologies such as electronic patient-reported outcome measures enables a transformation of the traditional care model. In light of the increasing demand for rheumatologists, telehealth could enable more efficient usage of scarce face-to-face appointments.

An antibody that targets CD19 on B cells has shown greater inhibitory efficacy than that of anti-CD20 B cell depletion therapy in animal models of autoimmune diseases.

New research indicates that extracellular aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases contribute to the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis by functioning as alarmins, and could be a novel therapeutic target.

Researchers have developed ‘urchin-like’ ceria nanoparticles with inherent antioxidant properties that efficiently carry therapeutic microRNA, enabling gene therapy following intra-articular injection in a mouse model of osteoarthritis.

Platelet activity and the formation of monocyte–platelet aggregates contribute to the production of IL-1β and the development of cardiovascular lesions in Kawasaki disease.

In a phase III trial, the oral Janus kinase inhibitor baricitinib was safe and effective in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis who previously had an inadequate response to DMARD therapy.

New findings suggest that interosseous tendon inflammation is already present in individuals with clinically suspect arthralgia and is linked to an increased risk of developing clinical arthritis.

Drug-free remission is a treatment goal in rheumatoid arthritis that can be achieved by tapering and discontinuation of biologic DMARDs. However, newly published real-world evidence suggests that DMARD discontinuation occurs less frequently than results of clinical trials suggest, so it is important to question what the ultimate goal of treatment should be.

The pathogenesis of juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is complex and various evidence implicate a role for type I interferons. Could the use of a bioengineered paediatric skeletal muscle model provide insight into this disease and have potential for high throughput testing of therapeutic agents?

A new report indicates that low back pain remains the leading cause of disability worldwide, and that case numbers are expected to increase substantially in the coming decades.

New findings implicate TAp63 as a potential target of methotrexate in T cells, providing insight in the mechanism of action of this drug, including its suppressive effects on regulatory T cells.

New findings suggest that neutrophil extracellular traps and their components have a functional role as triggers of IL-17-mediated inflammation and associated bone destruction in periodontitis.

Researchers have co-cultured human mesenchymal stromal cells and monocytes to generate bone-like structures that have the potential to facilitate the study of bone remodelling in vitro.

The ACR has developed its first guideline for managing rheumatoid arthritis using integrative interventions, to aid in decision-making regarding such approaches alongside pharmacological treatment.

New research demonstrates that regulatory T cells in gut and joint tissues differ in their response to and ability to control TNF-mediated inflammation.

Cognitive functional therapy is a safe, effective and low-cost intervention for individuals with persistent disabling low back pain, according to results from the phase III RESTORE trial.

Results of a population-based cohort study of more than 20 million individuals in the UK reveal that the incidence of several autoimmune disorders, and of rheumatic diseases in particular, continues to increase over time.

Notch signalling in the peripheral nervous system is involved in mediating pain in a mouse model of osteoarthritis.

Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate is a stable derivative of ascorbic acid that has now been shown to promote bone formation via stimulation of the CAMKIIα pathway.

A new treatment for osteoarthritis that combines cells from the patient in vitro prior to intra-articular injection has demonstrated beneficial effects on arthritic joints in a compassionate use study.

In a retrospective study, risk–benefit analyses suggest that primary prophylaxis against Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia is beneficial in patients receiving rituximab and high-dose glucocorticoids.

In a retrospective study, biologic DMARD therapy was associated with faster control of immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated arthritis but also with a shorter time to cancer progression, compared with methotrexate therapy.

New research suggests that pharmacological restoration of H3K79 methylation could offer a way to prevent osteoarthritis onset and progression.

Clinical and molecular analysis of autoantibodies against the endonuclease DNase1L3 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus led to the identification of a subset of pathogenetic antibodies that are cross-reactive with double-stranded DNA.

In screening for post-translational modifications associated with ankylosing spondylitis, researchers have identified a microbiome-metabolite-mediated modification that can lead to neoantigen generation and subsequent autoimmunity.

Characterization of a new mouse model highlights allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor neutralization as potential avenues for the treatment of APLAID.

Phase II trial results demonstrate rapid remission of macrophage activation syndrome in patients treated with the anti-IFNγ antibody emapalumab.