ACR Journals on Air Podcast
Welcome to ACR Journals on Air, the ACR’s newest podcast series featuring interviews, commentary, and analysis on research from our three peer-reviewed journals: Arthritis & Rheumatology, Arthritis Care & Research, and ACR Open Rheumatology. Join us each episode for engaging discussions with authors and independent experts about recently published studies, their implications for clinical care, and how they move the field of rheumatology forward.
Whether it’s an expert analysis of a manuscript or deep dive with an author—our goal is the same—to understand the impact of the science and bring it from the bench to the bedside.
Podcast Host
Victoria Shanmugam, MBBS, MRCP, CCD, has clinical expertise caring for patients with autoimmune diseases, vasculitis, and chronic wounds. She has led several research studies investigating scleroderma, hidradenitis suppurativa, and the interplay of the host immune response and the microbiome in chronic wounds. Dr. Shanmugam is a frequently invited speaker at professional meetings. Her work in wound healing, hidradenitis, and scleroderma has been published in high-impact peer-reviewed journals, such as Arthritis Care and Research, Current Opinion in Rheumatology, International Wound Journal, and Clinical Rheumatology. Connect with Dr. Shanmugam on Twitter (@VickiShanmugam).
Episodes
New episodes will be available twice a month on Tuesdays.
ACR Convergence – When Cancer Therapy Triggers Autoimmunity
ACR Convergence – Screening/Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension in Connective Tissue Disorder
Episode 76 – Prepared Mechanisms of B Cell Tolerance in Health and Autoimmunity
Episode 75 – Late Lung Disease in Scleroderma
Episode 74 – Castleman Disease
Browse previous episodes in the ACR Journals on Air archive.
Episode Show Notes
In this episode, we talk with Elad Sharon, MD, PhD, about the complex intersection of oncology and autoimmunity through the lens of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs)—therapies that have transformed cancer care but can also unleash immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Dr. Elad explains how ICIs work, why they can trigger autoimmune-like toxicities, and what distinguishes rheumatologic irAEs from classic autoimmune diseases. We explore the mechanistic overlaps between cancer immunotherapy and autoimmunity, the ethical and clinical dilemmas of balancing immune suppression with cancer control, and emerging biomarkers that may predict risk. Dr. Sharon also reflects on his career journey—from leading drug development efforts at the National Cancer Institute to returning to academia—and shares insights on collaboration, innovation, and the evolving partnership between oncologists and rheumatologists in managing these challenging conditions.
Elad Sharon, MD, PhD – Elad Sharon, MD, PhD, is the Clinical and Translational Director of the Immunotherapy Toxicity Program at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, roles he began in August 2023. Prior to his current positions, Dr. Sharon held pivotal roles at the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) and served as an attending physician in the NCI’s Developmental Therapeutics Clinic (DTC). During his time at the NCI, he helped co-direct the immunotherapy drug development portfolio for CTEP, overseeing clinical trials for which the NCI served as the sponsor in collaboration with industry and academic colleagues. CTEP is the largest government sponsor of clinical trials globally, enrolling around 20,000 patients on NCI-sponsored clinical trials, with trial sites throughout the United States and around the globe. His tenure at the NCI coincided with an explosion of interest in immunotherapy, and Dr. Sharon’s role involved complementing industry efforts with public health-oriented drug development, bringing novel clinical trials to both the academic and community oncology settings. Dr. Sharon helped shape innovative, practice-changing clinical trials, resulting in numerous FDA approvals for both rare and common tumors with a variety of agents under his purview. Dr. Sharon's focus on biomarker-driven, translationally-rich clinical trials is intended to leverage research into both efficacy and adverse events.
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In this episode, we sit down with Kristin B. Highland, MD, MSCR, to discuss her session at ACR Convergence on taking a personalized approach to pulmonary hypertension in connective tissue diseases. She shares why now is the critical moment for this shift and how “personalized” care extends beyond biomarkers and imaging to encompass clinical nuances, patient-reported symptoms, and multidisciplinary collaboration. We explore the key challenges in detecting pulmonary hypertension early, the promise of emerging technologies like AI-assisted imaging and molecular diagnostics, and the subtle red flags clinicians should recognize in at-risk patients. Dr. Highland also reflects on her unique dual training in rheumatology and pulmonology, the defining moments that shaped her career, and how mentorship continues to drive innovation and compassion in the care of patients with connective tissue lung disease.
Kristin B. Highland, MD, MSCR – Kristin B. Highland, MD, MSCR, is a professor of Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University and Vice Chair for Research of the Integrated Hospital Care Institute. She is board-certified in internal medicine, pulmonary disease, critical care, and rheumatology. Her clinical and research focus is on the pulmonary manifestations of rheumatic diseases, with particular emphasis on interstitial lung disease and pulmonary hypertension in scleroderma. Her research spans translational studies and multinational clinical trials aimed at improving the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of pulmonary vascular and interstitial lung diseases associated with systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases. She has led and contributed to pivotal trials in pulmonary hypertension and systemic sclerosis–associated ILD, while also advancing biomarker discovery, patient-centered outcome measures, and registry-based research. Dr. Highland serves on the Scientific Steering Committee of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association and on the Medical & Scientific Advisory Board of the Scleroderma Foundation.
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In this episode, Shaun Jackson, MD, PhD, uses a compelling patient case to illuminate the complex mechanisms of immune tolerance and autoimmunity. He explains how B cells learn to avoid targeting the body’s own tissues through central and peripheral tolerance—and how these safeguards can fail. The discussion covers the roles of germinal centers, T cells, and rare genetic disorders in shaping immune regulation, with Alport’s syndrome and post-transplant Goodpasture’s disease serving as striking examples. Dr. Jackson also reflects on emerging directions in autoimmune research and shares his journey from medical training in South Africa to leading a research program in Seattle, offering valuable insights for future physician-scientists.
Shaun Jackson, MD, PhD – Shaun Jackson, MD, PhD, is an attending physician in Pediatric Nephrology and Pediatric Rheumatology at Seattle Children's Hospital and an Associate Professor of Pediatrics of Pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine. After receiving his medical degree from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, he undertook post-doctoral studies in vascular biology at Harvard Medical School and completed pediatric residency training at Boston Children's Hospital. He completed dual pediatric nephrology and rheumatology fellowship training at Seattle Children's Hospital / University of Washington.
Dr. Jackson’s research aims to improve our understanding of the immune pathogenesis of human autoimmune diseases, in particular the role for B cells in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). His research has resulted in a number of new insights into the B cell-intrinsic signals underlying lupus pathogenesis and has lent support to an emerging paradigm of humoral autoimmunity in which B cells orchestrate initial breaks in immune tolerance.
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In this episode, our guests Sabrina Hoa, MD, MSc, FRCPC, and Marie Hudson, MD, MPH, FRCPC, explore new insights into late-onset interstitial lung disease (ILD) in scleroderma. Using data from the Canadian Scleroderma Research Group, they discuss how ILD can still develop years after diagnosis, challenging traditional screening timelines. They cover key findings, clinical implications, treatment patterns, and the need for more inclusive trials. The conversation also touches on mentorship and what’s next in scleroderma research.
Sabrina Hoa, MD, MSc, FRCPC – Sabrina Hoa, MD, MSc, FRCPC, is a rheumatologist, associate professor and researcher at the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal. She holds the Université de Montréal Scleroderma Research Chair and is co-director of the multi-centered Canadian Scleroderma Research Group (CSRG). Her research is focused on studying the impact of early detection and treatment of scleroderma complications, with a particular interest in interstitial lung disease. She is currently leading a clinical trial in treatment of subclinical ILD and is pursuing research on predictors of progression as well as early screening strategies.
Marie Hudson, MD, MPH, FRCPC – Marie Hudson, MD, MPH, FRCPC is Director of rheumatology in the Department of Medicine at McGill University, Chief of the Division of rheumatology at the Jewish General Hospital and Senior Investigator at the Lady Davis Institute. She is a founding member of the multi-centered Canadian Scleroderma Research Group (CSRG) and has worked on a broad range of projects. She is now exploring the therapeutic potential of cellular therapies for scleroderma. Modeled on the CSRG, Dr Hudson launched the Canadian Inflammatory Myopathy Study (CIMS), a multi-centered cohort of patients with autoimmune myositis. CSRG and CIMS have become internationally recognized research programs. Dr Hudson also pursues research in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is leading an inter-disciplinary study on precision care for RA. Finally, she has an interest in immune-related adverse events (irAE) secondary to immune checkpoint inhibitors. Locally, she established the Montreal Immune-Related Adverse Event (MIRAE) Biobank. Nationally, she is co-leading a multi-centered cohort study of cancer patients who develop rheumatic irAE, the Canadian Research Group of Rheumatology in Immuno-Oncology (CanRIO) study. Dr Hudson also pursues a number of other scholarly activities, including serving as co-director of the McGill Interdisciplinary Initiative in Infection and Immunity (MI4) from 2019–2024.
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In this episode, we review the Arthritis & Rheumatology manuscript, Diagnosis and Treatment of Castleman Disease, with Luke Chen, MD, FRCPC, MMEd, and David Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MSc. The discussion (which provides an essential, up-to-date overview of a rare but critical disease) highlights the clinical subtypes of Castleman Disease, its overlap with autoimmune and autoinflammatory syndromes, and current diagnostic and treatment strategies. Dr. Chen offers a hematologist’s perspective on disease classification, pathology, and practical management tips, while Dr. Fajgenbaum shares insights from his personal experience as a patient and his work advancing research through the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network and Every Cure.
David Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MSc – David Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MSc is the Co-Founder & President of Every Cure and one of the youngest faculty members ever to receive tenure at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. A physician-scientist and patient battling a deadly disease, he discovered and repurposed a treatment that saved his own life—a story he chronicled in his national bestselling memoir Chasing My Cure, which is being adapted into a film by Forrest Gump producer Wendy Finerman.
Dr. Fajgenbaum has since advanced 13 more repurposed treatments for cancers and rare diseases and co-founded Every Cure to unlock more hidden cures from existing medicines. Every Cure has received over $100M from ARPA-H and TED’s Audacious Project. He has been profiled by The New York Times, Good Morning America, TODAY, and Forbes 30 Under 30 and honored with awards including the Atlas Award alongside then VP Joe Biden, Philadelphia Citizen of the Year Award, and named to the 2025 TIME100 Health list of the world’s most influential people in health. Dr. Fajgenbaum earned a BS from Georgetown University, MSc from the University of Oxford, MD from the University of Pennsylvania, and MBA from Wharton.
Luke Chen, MD, FRCPC, MMEd – Luke Chen, MD, FRCPC, MMEd, is a Hematologist and Professor of Medicine at Dalhousie University and Affiliate Professor at the University of British Columbia. His clinical and research interests are in rare inflammatory diseases including cytokine storm syndromes (HLH, Castleman disease and COVID-cytokine storm), histiocyte disorders, autoinflammatory diseases, IgG4-related disease and eosinophilic disorders. In 2024 he received the Castleman Disease Collaborative Network “Physician of the Year” award. He directs the Coastal Rare Inflammatory Diseases Program, which provides support for physicians dealing with rare diseases.
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