Sjögren’s Disease Updates From EULAR 2025: What Patients Need to Know

New science is reshaping how we understand Sjögren’s

One of the biggest themes this year was what is actually driving Sjögren’s disease at a cellular level. Researchers are now taking a closer look at B cells, interferon pathways, and immune activation inside the salivary glands.

Using mRNA technology inspired by the COVID-19 vaccines, scientists are studying how immune cells become overactive and attack salivary tissue. This immune overactivation is what leads to classic Sjögren’s symptoms like dry mouth and dry eyes.

Single-cell analysis is also being used to pinpoint exactly where and how immune activation starts. This kind of precision research matters because it opens the door to more targeted therapies, something the Sjögren’s community has been waiting for a long time.

Right now, there are still no FDA-approved treatments that directly stop dryness symptoms, but these discoveries are laying the groundwork for that future.

Biomarkers matter, and not all antibodies mean the same thing

Some patients are familiar with SSA and SSB antibody testing for Sjogren’s, but EULAR discussions highlighted the importance of Ro52 and Ro60, sometimes written as Rho52 and Rho60.

These antibodies are not interchangeable, and they carry different implications for disease severity.

• Ro52 positive patients tend to have higher inflammation, more systemic symptoms, and a higher risk of complications, including lymphoma.
• Ro60 positive only patients often have milder disease.
• Double positive patients, meaning both Ro52 and Ro60, typically have the highest systemic disease activity and greater risk of complications like neurological involvement and lymphoma.

This information can feel scary, but it is also empowering. Knowing which antibodies you have can help guide monitoring, conversations with your care team, and long-term planning.

Sjögren’s is being grouped into disease clusters

Researchers are now classifying Sjögren’s patients into clusters based on disease activity rather than treating everyone the same. This is in line with AiArthritis’ work in precision and personalized medicine, as subgroups matter because we are not all the same!

• Cluster one includes patients with high systemic activity and higher lymphoma risk.
• Cluster two reflects moderate disease activity and is more commonly seen in children.
• Cluster three includes patients with lower disease activity, though it is not risk-free.

This shift reflects a larger theme at EULAR: personalized treatment. Guidelines are still important, but care plans should be shaped by how the disease shows up in each individual, including symptoms, risks, and personal preferences.

Autonomic dysfunction is finally getting attention

Many Sjögren’s patients live with symptoms that do not always show up in bloodwork, such as fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, and digestive issues. These symptoms are often tied to autonomic nervous system dysfunction, and for a long time they have been under-recognized.

Researchers are now using a tool called COMPASS-31 to better measure these symptoms and track how they change over time. This matters because patients can still struggle with daily functioning even when inflammation markers look “good.”

This also reframes how we think about remission. Lab numbers can improve, but quality of life symptoms may persist. Measuring both is essential.

Diagnosis is improving, especially for seronegative patients

Not all Sjögren’s patients show disease activity on standard blood tests. This is called seronegative. For those who are seronegative, diagnosis can be delayed for years.

Two promising tools are gaining traction:

• Salivary gland ultrasound, which can show structural changes linked to Sjögren’s and help support earlier diagnosis.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) -assisted biopsy analysis, which helps pathologists identify subtle disease features more quickly and accurately.

These tools are especially helpful when blood tests are negative but symptoms are very real.

Precision medicine is changing treatment decisions



Another exciting development is the use of biopsy inflammation patterns to predict treatment response. Early evidence suggests that patients with higher levels of certain interleukins, such as IL-17 or IL-6, may respond better to specific therapies.

This approach can reduce trial-and-error prescribing and limit time spent on treatments that are unlikely to help. For patients, this means fewer delays and more informed decisions from the start.

Why this matters for the Sjögren’s community

Sjögren’s disease is finally receiving the attention it deserves. Researchers, clinicians, and pharmaceutical partners are investing heavily in understanding the disease and developing targeted treatments.

For patients, the key takeaways are hopeful:

• Sjögren’s is being studied with modern, cutting-edge tools
• Diagnosis is becoming more accurate, even for seronegative patients
• Disease severity is being recognized as variable, not one-size-fits-all
• Personalized and precision medicine approaches are gaining momentum
• New treatments are actively moving through clinical trials

Living with Sjögren’s can be exhausting, especially when daily symptoms persist despite “good” lab results. Seeing this level of progress reminds us that better options are coming, and that patient experiences are finally being centered in both research and care.

Learn more about Sjögren’s disease and our “Go With Us!” to Conferences Program.