3 years ago two medical students called Maria and Nidhi started a research project at @arrdept-ucldom.bsky.social with me in their spare time. I told them honestly that it would be a lot of work and might not succeed. They did it anyway. Yesterday we got the @LupusEurope award. They deserve it

Today is exactly 25 years since I started my research group at UCL with two students, not much money and not much of a plan. I feel grateful and privileged that I have seem wonderful talented people achieve amazing things. I have made friends all over the world and talked about my work...

The next session at #CORA2025 whether early biologic treatment is necessary or overemphasised in SLE. Mariele Gatto argues that early biologics are necessary. She shows a slide reporting that biologics do reduce flares and damage and improve remission. This is accepted but is it NECESSARY?

In opposition to Laura, Marit Stockfeld from Sweden initially goes bac k to the early excitement about rituximab in lupus that was not borne out in RCT. She points out that there is no follow up data of more than 29 months and asks how we can be sure that CAR T is better than new B cell depletion.

I'm really enjoying the debate format of #CORA2025. Very entertaining and educational. Hope I can maintain this standard in my debate tomorrow. The next one is one of the hottest topics of the age; CAR-T cells in rheumatic diseases - game changer or just a buzz?

The next debate is about the microbiology in rheumatic diseases - revolutionary or fake news. I have always been a bit sceptical about the claims made for the microbiology but willing to be convinced by the first speaker Francesco Ciccia.

The first debate of the day is about EGPA, which typically causes asthma and ENT manifestations and neuropathy. Relapses of respiratory problems are common. Interleukin 5 is the key cytokine in pathogenesis so mepolizumab (anti IL5) has been successfully used in trials and revolutionised treatment.

The first lecture today is by Roberto Padoan on ANCA associated vasculitis. The survival before introduction of cyclophosphamide was measured in months. Much better now but important to maintain remission whilst reducing comorbidities. Trials have shown that rituximab is the best therapy.

I am in Venice at #CORA25. It is a meeting where there are debates about controversies in Rheumatology and autoimmunity. I am debating tomorrow about whether T2T goals are commonly achieved in SLE patients. But today I hope to learn lots of things about different diseases.

I am proud to be a member of this department. Part of it is the Centre for Rheumatology Research, looking into many conditions such as SLE, APS, Rheumatoid arthritis and HLH.

Another Bristol Rovers manager gone. Matt Taylor was clearly a good guy but performances awful. My first Rovers manager was Don Megson. I think Gerry Francis and Darrell Clarke were the best since, though Ollie was the most passionate.

I am a rheumatologist. Yesterday, in clinic, I saw a patient with rheumatoid arthritis whom I have been seeing for 25 years. Her life was transformed by biologics. She was telling me how grateful she was to be more mobile in her 70s than in her 70s. I have been so lucky to see this in my career!

In September 2000, I took over the Rheumatology teaching at UCLH. I started some new things including a session where students were divided into teams going through imaginary cases that I had invented. Today I started my 25th year of teaching with those same imaginary cases.

Sven-Goran Eriksson was one of the best football managers of his generation. Now terminally ill, he says "I hope you will remember me as a positive guy trying to do everything he could do. Don't be sorry, smile. Thank you for everything. Take care of yourself and take care of your life. And live it"

Just joined Bluesky to escape what X has become. Hope to find some old friends here.