The Great Debate: Janus Kinase Inhibitors Should/Should Not Be Used Before Biologics After Methotrexate Failure in RA

Moderator(s)

• 

  Elizabeth Wahl, MD

  VA Puget Sound Healthcare System

Speaker(s)

• 

  Vibeke Strand, MD

  Stanford University School of Medicine
• 

  Michael Weinblatt, MD

  Brigham and Women's Hospital

The 2015 American College of Rheumatology Guidelines for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis specify that TNF inhibitors should be used before jakinibs (JAK inhibitors) for the treatment of RA when a patient fails to have an adequate response to conventional DMARDs. Since that time, emerging data indicates that jakinibs may be even more effective than TNF inhibitors for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, it may be time to revisit this recommendation. At this year's Great Debate, faculty will square off on the question: Janus Kinase Inhibitors Should/Should Not Be Used Before Biologics After Methotrexate Failure In RA.

Learning Objectives:

• Review recent clinical data supporting the use of jakinibs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
• Describe the safety profile associated with TNF inhibitors compared to jakinibs
• Describe the efficacy of TNF inhibitors compared to jakinibs in treating RA

Presentations:

• 10:00 AM – 10:05 AM ET

  Introduction: Background and Importance of This Debate
  Elizabeth Wahl, MD – VA Puget Sound Healthcare System
• 10:05 AM – 10:25 AM ET

  Janus Kinase Inhibitors Should Be Used Before Biologics After Methotrexate Failure in RA
  Vibeke Strand, MD – Stanford University School of Medicine
• 10:25 AM – 10:45 AM ET

  Janus Kinase Inhibitors Should NOT Be Used Before Biologics After Methotrexate Failure in RA
  Michael E. Weinblatt, MD – Brigham and Women's Hospital
• 10:45 AM – 11:00 AM ET

  Q&A