The Cure JM Virtual Summit brought together leading experts to share updates on juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (JM). Sessions are now available to watch online:

Welcome and Introductory Comments

Andrew Heaton, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer, Cure JM. Watch here

Updating the SHARE Guidance Publication on JM Treatment

Liza McCann, Consultant Pediatric Rheumatologist, Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool, UK; Honorary Clinical Associate Professor, University of Liverpool, UK. Watch here

Transitioning from Pediatric to Adult Rheumatology Care

Rebecca Sadun, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, USA. Watch here

Expert Panel Discussion on Selected JM Cases

Featuring:

• Lisa Rider, MD - NIEHS, NIH, USA
• Stacey Tarvin, MD - Indiana University School of Medicine, USA
• Susan Kim, MD - UCSF School of Medicine, USA
• Susan Shenoi, MD, MS - University of Washington, USA
• Brian Feldman, MD, MSc, FRCPC - Hospital for SickKids, Toronto, Canada

Watch here

Join Us for the 2026 Virtual Summit on Juvenile Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies (JIIMs)

Date: Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 3:00-5:30 PM Eastern (US)

Location: Virtual

Grace A. Osborne, MD, PhD, Pediatric Dermatologist, University of Michigan offers a high-yield update on dermatologic insights in juvenile myositis from a clinician-researcher actively engaged in dermatomyositis skin pathology. Dr. Osborne will discuss patterns observed in pediatric JM patients at the Michigan Children’s Hospital JM Clinic, highlight how cutaneous findings can serve as biomarkers of disease activity, and share emerging translational perspectives from her recent research. This session offers practical, evidence-informed takeaways for specialists managing skin manifestations of JM and related inflammatory myopathies.

Miloš Miljković, MD, PhD, Chief Medical Officer, Cartesian Therapeutics offers a forward-looking presentation on Cartesian Therapeutics' pioneering mRNA CAR‑T therapy, Descartes‑08, as it begins its first human trial in autoimmune disease. He will break down the scientific and translational logic underpinning the trial design including targeting BCMA, the rationale for outpatient dosing, and how their RNA‑based engineering may reduce risk compared to DNA based CAR‑T therapies. He will also discuss the anticipated pathway forward, regulatory milestones (DC‑08 has received Rare Pediatric Disease Designation from the FDA), and why Cartesian believes this RNA cell therapy could reshape treatment paradigms for both adult and pediatric IIM patients.

Expert Case Panel: Clinical Insights in Juvenile Myositis. Following the success of prior sessions, an expert panel will review three unique JM cases presented by the treating physicians. Attendees will gain practical, evidence-informed insights into real-world diagnostic challenges and treatment strategies.

Panelists include:

• Brian Feldman, MD, MSc, FRCPC – Head of the Division of Rheumatology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, CN; Chair, Cure JM Medical Advisory Board
• Stacey Tarvin, MD – Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, USA; Pediatric Rheumatologist, Riley Children’s Hospital, Indianapolis, USA; Chair, Cure JM Clinical Care Network
• Lisa Rider, MD – Head and Senior Clinician, Environmental Autoimmunity Group, NIEHS, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
• Susan Kim, MD – Professor of Pediatrics, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA; Pediatric Rheumatologist, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, San Francisco, CA, USA
• Susan Shenoi, MD, MS – Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Pediatric Rheumatologist, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA

This session is designed for clinicians and researchers seeking practical, evidence-informed insights into complex JM presentations and management approaches.

Last month at the ACR Convergence conference, a wealth of exciting new research on juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) was shared through poster sessions and seminars. The abstracts below highlight just a few studies that stood out for their potential relevance to your care of JM patients and their families.

• Anifrolumab - These encouraging results illustrate the relationship between type-I IFN modulation and JDM as well as the promise of anifrolumab as a rescue medication for refractory cases. Learn More
• Brepocitinib - Adult dermatomyositis trial results show strong benefit on muscle and skin outcomes offering hope that a similar targeted therapy could soon be tested and applied in the juvenile dermatomyositis population. Learn More
• Nailfold Capillaroscopy - A simple nail-fold video capillaroscopy measurement may serve as a biomarker of microvascular injury in JDM, raising the prospect of earlier intervention and refined monitoring of disease progress. Learn More
• Calprotectin in JDM - Researchers are uncovering how elevated calprotectin levels and anti-NXP2 autoantibodies may signal active muscle and endothelial injury in JDM, offering clinicians fresh insight into disease mechanisms and a possible tool for monitoring treatment response. Learn More
• Neutrophil Activation in JDM - New research shows that elevated neutrophil-activation markers in JDM correlate with muscle strength, disease activity, and muscle recovery, offering clinicians fresh tools and insights for monitoring and treating this complex disease. Learn More

Clinical Trials

There are a growing portfolio of clinical trials designed to advance evidence-based treatment options for juvenile myositis. Learn about open clinical trials here including CAR-T, anifrolumab, and CAR-NK.



New sites open for CAR-T clinical trial (CABA-201) ages 6+, including adults:

• Chicago, IL (University of Chicago & Comer Children's)
• San Francisco, CA (UCSF)
• Philadelphia, PA (CHOP) 
• Ann Arbor, MI (University of Michigan) 
• New York, NY (Hospital for Special Surgery)
• New York, NY (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
• More locations listed here.

Clinicians caring for JM patients are encouraged to review eligibility criteria and discuss these investigational opportunities with appropriate candidates.

For questions or referral support, contact James.Tealy@curejm.org.

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