Dear readers,

I am happy to bring out the December 24 issue of IRA eNewsletter with a trending theme “The Intersection of Malignancy and Rheumatology – A Growing Challenge”. Our experts in the field address the issue of the dual burden, managing immunomodulation and chemotherapy, the need for close surveillance and collaborative care. A case vignette by one of our authors throws light on how malignancy in rheumatic diseases doesn’t follow patterns of low risk or high risk and slips through our eyes even with close monitoring.

Dr. Binoy Paul, known for his exemplary work on crystallopathies, shares his experiences with the disease, its variations in the Indian population, and how he developed an interest in this field. This issue features an interview with Dr. Aravind Kumar Rengan, a renowned nanotechnology expert and my colleague in Thanjavur Medical College. He discusses his journey to becoming a research scientist in nanotechnology after completing his MBBS and the role of nanotechnology in rheumatology. This conversation will be enlightening for researchers interested in pursuing similar paths. 

The quarterly reviews on basic and clinical science have highlighted significant studies in paraneoplasia. The image section stands out with the tagline “common things are not always common.” This emphasizes how such cases make our specialty intriguing, presenting new puzzles each day. The physician in us finds satisfaction in addressing these cases. Additionally, the quiz this time is designed for the future, expertly curated by one of our authors.

I always look forward to the “Life Beyond Rheumatology” section in our newsletter. This issue features two authors. One is a rheumatologist who is also a TEDx speaker and a medical academy entrepreneur who has written about what is missing in our medical education. The other author, who wears a politicians hat shares his thoughts and visions, which I find intriguing.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to all my friends who contributed as authors. My special thanks to Dr.Balaji, for his help in curating the topics and the editorial board of IRA e-newsletter for entrusting me with this work.