Join Danielle Gatti Palumbo, Clinical Pharmacist at Northwell Health Division of Rheumatology, as she presents an integrated analysis of clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of voclosporin in the treatment of lupus nephritis. Drawing from the AURA-LV and AURORA-1 trials—two of the largest lupus nephritis studies conducted to date—this update highlights voclosporin’s unique role as a novel calcineurin inhibitor that does not require routine therapeutic drug monitoring. The analysis demonstrates voclosporin’s ability to increase complete renal response by over 20% at one year, significantly reduce proteinuria in a shorter timeframe (29 days vs. 58 days), and deliver consistent outcomes across diverse racial and ethnic populations. Safety results were comparable to placebo, with stable blood pressure, glucose levels, and improvements in lipid profiles observed.

This update also explores the long-term extension data from AURORA-2 and aligns these findings with current lupus nephritis treatment guidelines, which now support triple therapy—including voclosporin—for patients with class V or proliferative disease. With its fast-acting and steroid-sparing profile, voclosporin continues to emerge as a valuable therapeutic option for managing active lupus nephritis. For more expert-led rheumatology education, visit RhAPP.org and explore the Content Rheum.

In this video, Iris Zink, rheumatology nurse practitioner and clinic owner in East Lansing, Michigan, breaks down the mechanism of action of deucravacitinib, a first-in-class oral selective TYK2 inhibitor, and explains its role in managing psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. With over 25 years of experience serving underserved populations, Iris uses memorable analogies to simplify the complex TYK2/STAT signaling pathway and help you understand the immunologic rationale behind TYK2-directed therapy.

Learn how TYK2 selectively mediates cytokines like IL-12, IL-23, and Type I Interferons, and why allos­teric inhibition at the regulatory domain reduces off-target effects compared to traditional JAK inhibitors. Iris explains the differences between orthosteric vs. allosteric binding, and how deucravacitinib offers a more targeted, safer approach to reducing inflammation in autoimmune diseases.

Learn more about TYK2 inhibition and psoriasis treatment options at RhAPP.org or download the RhAPP ACE app for more educational content.

In this episode of RhAPPcast, host Amanda Mixon, PA-C, is joined by Monica Richey, NP, and Danielle Gatti-Palumbo, PharmD, for a practical and engaging discussion on how to apply the 2023 ACR guidelines for lupus nephritis to real-world clinical practice. Together, they walk through a complex patient case, highlighting key decision points including when to order a kidney biopsy, how to interpret proteinuria and complement levels, and how to initiate and escalate treatment. The episode covers critical guidance on balancing disease control with long-term safety—especially in patients considering pregnancy—and offers insight into medication adherence strategies, monitoring protocols for agents like voclosporin, and cardiovascular risk reduction in lupus. Whether you’re a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or clinical pharmacist, this episode offers actionable insights and clinical pearls for delivering guideline-based, patient-centered care.

Stream the RhAPPcast wherever you get your podcasts, and download the new RhAPP ACE 2.0 App to access exclusive learning modules, expert forums, and more. For additional resources, visit RhAPP.org.