Dear readers,
It is a great pleasure to take on the role of Editor-in-Chief of touchREVIEWS in RMD, and I am grateful for the opportunity to introduce myself and to share my vision for the journal.
I am a Professor of Rheumatology at Université Paris Cité and a consultant rheumatologist at Hôpital Cochin (AP-HP) in Paris, France. My clinical and academic work sits at the interface of inflammatory rheumatic diseases, translational research and medical education. My research has focused primarily on rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis, with particular interest in disease mechanisms, biomarkers of treatment response and innovative therapeutic strategies. Over the past years, this has included work on angiogenesis, tissue immunopathology, multi-omic approaches, and the development of advanced immunotherapies such as B-cell–targeted and CAR-T-cell–based strategies in autoimmune diseases.
Rheumatology is currently experiencing a period of remarkable scientific acceleration. The expansion of targeted therapies, combined with advances in immunology, genomics and translational science, is profoundly reshaping our understanding of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. At the same time, clinicians and researchers face the challenge of navigating an increasingly dense and complex body of evidence, while ensuring that scientific progress translates into meaningful improvements in patient care.
My ambition for touchREVIEWS in RMD is to position the journal as a trusted, accessible and clinically relevant resource that bridges cutting-edge science and everyday practice. The journal has a unique role in delivering high-quality, peer-reviewed content in a concise and educational format, designed to support clinicians, researchers and allied health professionals in keeping pace with rapid developments in the field. I am particularly keen to encourage content that integrates mechanistic insights with clinical relevance, highlights unmet needs and addresses real-world challenges in the management of rheumatic diseases.
As a free-to-access, digital-first journal, touchREVIEWS in RMD is well placed to foster knowledge dissemination, interdisciplinary dialogue and international collaboration. Through authoritative reviews, original research and expert perspectives, the journal can contribute to advancing both rheumatology research and patient-centred care.
I warmly invite you to engage with touchREVIEWS in RMD, as readers, authors, and contributors, and to take part in this collective endeavour to advance the field for the benefit of people living with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.
Jérôme Avouac
Editor-in-Chief, touchREVIEWS in RMD
Université Paris Cité, Hôpital Cochin (AP-HP), Paris, France.
