To gain expert insight into the most impactful developments of the past year and the trends set to shape the next, we reached out to our esteemed expert faculty. From advances in targeted therapies to the integration of AI and steps towards precision medicine, here’s what our experts had to say.

 1. A wave of breakthrough therapies in autoimmune care

In 2024, targeted therapies for RMDs saw significant advancements. Dr Alina Dima (Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania) highlights three key developments that are set to continue shaping the treatment landscape for autoimmune diseases.

“Originally a breakthrough in haematology, chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy began to demonstrate their potential in severe autoimmune diseases like lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, and idiopathic inflammatory myopathies with positive results being reported in a clinical trial study involving 15 patients”.

In the field of onco-rheumatology increasing evidence emerged on the safety, efficacy and survival benefits of restarting immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) after discontinuation due to immune-related adverse events (irAEs).

The debate over JAK inhibitor selectivity continued, with discussions on whether more selective or tissue-targeted JAK inhibitors could mitigate systemic adverse effects. However, at the same time, JAK inhibitors expanded into inflammatory bowel disease, reinforcing their role in treating immune-mediated conditions”.

 

2. Change for Sjögren’s, IgG4-related spectrum disease and osteoarthritis

Prof. Petar Lenart (University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA) anticipates that 2025 will bring significant progress in expanding therapeutic options for various conditions.

“These include the development of CD40 and FcRn-targeted therapies for Sjögren’s syndrome, novel treatments for IgG4-related spectrum disease, and the exploration of GLP-1 peptides for their potential benefits in managing osteoarthritis. These innovations could significantly expand our therapeutic options and improve patient outcomes.” 

 

3. Innovation in inflammatory rheumatic conditions

Our Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Peter Taylor (University of Oxford, Oxford, UK) echoes the potential impact of CAR-T therapy but also notes that 2025 could be a landmark year for innovations in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS):

“Over the coming year, I believe we will see the further realization of the potential for CAR-T therapies across the spectrum of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.

We are also hoping to gain deeper insights into differential responses in RA based on RF levels with anti-TNF molecules, along with new data on anti-FcRn antibodies and novel nanobodies targeting IL-17A, as well as dual targets like IL-17A and F, which could help redefine treatment approaches for PsA.

 Finally, we are eagerly anticipating the launch of bimekizumab in AS and PsA, which could represent a major step forward in 2025, expanding our therapeutic options for these conditions.” 

 

4. Precision medicine, AI and early intervention

Dr Elena Myasoedova (Division of Rheumatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA) underscores the transformative potential of generative AI and -omics-based research, along with advances being made in identifying pre-disease states:

“I believe we are entering a transformative era in rheumatology, driven by advancements in precision medicine and technology. The progress in -omics research is bringing us closer to personalized approaches in diagnosis and treatment, enabling more targeted and effective decision-making in rheumatology care.

The integration of generative AI is another exciting development, offering the potential to revolutionize the identification, diagnosis and management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases combining large clinical and imaging datasets with biomarker information, data from wearable technologies, and patient-reported outcomes.

We’re also on the brink of better defining pre-disease states, paving the way for early interventions that could significantly alter disease trajectories.  Additionally, I predict that we will continue to see further development of telemedicine and remote care solutions”.

 

A defining year ahead for RMDs?

As we look to 2025, it’s clear that the RMD field is on the cusp of transformative changes. The insights shared by our faculty highlight how advancements in targeted and novel therapies are likely to expand the therapeutic landscape.

At the same time, progress towards precision medicine, driven by -omics-based research and generative AI, is likely to bring us closer to achieving more personalized, data-driven approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Innovations in early intervention strategies, along with the growing role of telemedicine, are further reshaping how care is delivered, with the potential to improve patient outcomes across a wide spectrum of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.

While 2024 laid the groundwork, 2025 promises to build on these developments—offering new opportunities to enhance patient care and refine treatment strategies. As these trends continue to unfold, touchIMMUNOLOGY will remain committed to providing insights and updates on the latest advancements shaping the future.

 

***

SIGN UP to touchIMMUNOLOGY!

Join our global community today for access to thousands of peer-reviewed articles, expert insights, and learn-on-the-go education across 150+ specialties, plus concise email updates and newsletters so you never miss out.

REGISTER >>>

 

***

 

Editor: Gina Furnival, Senior Editorial Director

Support: No funding was received in the publication of this short article.

Cite: RMDs: What to Expect in 2025. touchIMMUNOLOGY February 11, 2025.