Biomarker discovery could allow prediction of rheumatoid arthritis outcomes

A biomarker has been found that could make it easier to predict which rheumatoid arthritis patients are at most risk of serious illness.

Researchers have discovered that antibodies against the cartilage protein collagen II are associated with better outcomes, and could be helpful in determining the best treatment to use for individual people.

Healthcare professionals would be able to identify people with rheumatoid arthritis who are at lesser or greater risk of serious illness, and tailor their treatment accordingly.

“Our findings suggest that a combined analysis of antibodies against collagen and antibodies against citrullinated peptides could be a new tool for predicting the disease course and perhaps also for choosing therapy in newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients,” explains Prof Johan Ronnelid, who led the work.

Natalie Carter from Arthritis Research UK comments:

“The outcome of this study will be the identification of predictive markers, either biological molecules or genetic changes, which will help doctors to target the right treatments to the right people with rheumatoid arthritis.”

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