Episode Notes – Talking in the Woods: Science Behind the Script

Title: Sjögren’s Syndrome – Dryness, Diagnosis, and Breakthrough Therapies Host: Christopher Wood

Sjögren’s Syndrome is a complex autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks moisture‑producing glands, leading to dry eyes, dry mouth, fatigue, joint pain, and—in some cases—systemic complications affecting the lungs, kidneys, and nerves.

This episode unpacks: • The difference between primary and secondary Sjögren’s • Why the disease disproportionately affects women • Key symptoms and emotional patient journeys • Diagnostic tools such as ANA, SSA/SSB antibodies, Schirmer’s test, and salivary gland biopsy • Current and emerging treatments including belimumab, rituximab, JAK inhibitors, and RNA‑based therapies • The importance of diversity in clinical trials • Daily lifestyle strategies for symptom management • The role of genetics (HLA variants, STAT4, IRF5) in disease susceptibility

Listeners walk away with a deeper understanding of the disease, more awareness of research advancements, and practical tools for living with or supporting someone with Sjögren’s Syndrome.

References

Johns Hopkins Sjögren’s Center. (n.d.). Sjögren’s syndrome resources. https://www.hopkinssjogrens.org

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Sjögren’s syndrome. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sjogrens-syndrome

MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Belimumab. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a611050.html

MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Cevimeline. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a602010.html

MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Methotrexate. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682019.html

MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Pilocarpine. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a607063.html

MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Rituximab. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a607038.html

National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). Clinical trials for Sjögren’s syndrome. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=Sjögren%27s+Syndrome

National Institutes of Health, Genetics Home Reference. (n.d.). HLA genes, STAT4, IRF5. https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov

Sjögren’s Foundation. (n.d.). Patient-to-patient stories. https://sjogrens.org/living-with-sjogrens/patient-to-patient-stories

Title: Myositis – Muscle Inflammation, Patient Journeys & Emerging Treatments

In this episode, we dive deep into Myositis a rare autoimmune disease that causes chronic muscle inflammation and weakness. We break down its major types: Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis (and Inclusion Body Myositis, highlighting their unique symptoms and clinical features.

You’ll hear real patient stories—from Sarah’s battle with Dermatomyositis to James adapting to life with IBM—illustrating the challenges and triumphs behind these diagnoses.

We explore diagnostic clues, including:

• CK levels as markers of muscle damage
• Anti-Mi-2 antibodies as autoimmune fingerprints
• Muscle biopsy as the gold standard for confirmation

The episode also covers genetic risk factors like HLA variants and immune signaling genes (STAT4, IRF5), explaining how they influence disease susceptibility and treatment strategies. We spotlight Type I interferon signaling, a pathway that stays switched on in autoimmunity, and how new drugs aim to turn off this alarm.

Treatment options range from corticosteroids and immunosuppressants to biologics, IVIG, and emerging therapies like JAK inhibitors and stem cell approaches. We also emphasize the importance of diversity in clinical trials, ensuring therapies work for all populations.

Finally, we share living well tips—physical therapy, balanced nutrition, and regular monitoring—to help patients manage symptoms and maintain quality of life.

Catchphrase: “Stay curious, stay hopeful, stay informed—and help us grow the forest! Subscribe today because every new subscriber adds another tree to our woods.” 🌲

References:

• General:
  • https://www.myositis.org
  • https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov
  • https://www.niams.nih.gov
  • https://www.nature.com/nri/
  • https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/
  • https://clinicaltrials.gov
  • https://www.nih.gov/clinical-research-diversity
• Dermatomyositis Diagnostics:
  • CK Levels: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554529/
  • Anti-Mi-2 Antibodies: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2021.715845/full
  • Muscle Biopsy: https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/muscleinflammatorymyopathies.html

Episode Description

Title: Scleroderma – Understanding a Complex Autoimmune Disease Series: Talking in the Woods – Science Behind the Script: From Lab to Life

Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease that hardens skin and can damage internal organs—but what causes it, and how is it treated? In this episode, host Christopher Wood breaks down the science behind scleroderma, from symptoms and diagnosis to cutting-edge therapies and clinical trials.

You’ll learn:

✔ Common symptoms like Raynaud’s phenomenon, lung fibrosis, and digestive issues

✔ Why genes like STAT4 and IRF5 matter—and how environment triggers disease

✔ How doctors diagnose scleroderma using ANA tests and autoantibody profiles

✔ Breakthrough treatments: stem cell transplants, biologics like Tocilizumab and Rituximab, and small molecules like Nintedanib

✔ The future of therapy: JAK inhibitors, TYK2 inhibitors, and precision medicine

✔ The science behind biologics vs small molecules—with real-world examples and a simple analogy: Biologics are custom-made keys; small molecules are universal tools

✔ Lifestyle tips to reduce flares and improve quality of life

Plus, hear Maria’s inspiring story—how a clinical trial gave her hope and improved her lung function by 20%.

• Resources Mentioned
  • Scleroderma Foundation: https://www.scleroderma.org
  • Clinical Trials: https://clinicaltrials.gov
  • SCOT Trial Publication: New England Journal of Medicine

  References

  1. Maria’s Story – Stem Cell Transplant Trial SCOT Trial: “Myeloablative Autologous Stem-Cell Transplantation for Severe Scleroderma.” Published in New England Journal of Medicine, 2018. Read the full article: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1703327
  2. Future Therapies & Precision Medicine Varga J, et al. “Emerging Therapies for Systemic Sclerosis: Targeting Pathogenic Pathways.” Published in Nature Reviews Rheumatology, 2023. Read the full article: https://www.nature.com/articles/nrrheum.2023.XX

🎧 Listen now to understand the science, the stories, and the future of scleroderma treatment. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Pandora, or your favorite platform, and join us for Episode 5 on Myositis—coming soon!