Episode 225: Behind the Breakthroughs: Tackling Vasculitis and Emerging Inflammatory Diseases

The EMJ Podcast: Insights For Healthcare Professionals

In this episode, Jonathan is joined by John H. Stone, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and The Edward A. Fox Chair in Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. Stone discusses his groundbreaking work in systemic vasculitis, including granulomatosis with polyangiitis and ANCA-associated vasculitis. He also shares insights into the emerging field of IgG4-related disease and the exciting possibility of the first approved therapy for this condition. Alongside, he delves into his efforts to minimise glucocorticoid toxicity and his work through the IgG4ward! Foundation.

Timestamps:

(00:30) – Introduction

(04:00) – Stone’s journey into rheumatology

(07:28) – WEGET trial

(10:30) – Developments in IgG4-related disease and the path to therapy approval

(15:52) – Key advancements in the treatment of granulomatosis with polyangiitis

(18:04) – Glucocorticoid toxicity and the Glucocorticoid Toxicity Index (GTI)

(20:34) – The IgG4ward! Foundation

(23:48) – Two Pearls and a Myth

(26:45) – Stone’s three wishes for rheumatology