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Use of blood-based biomarker could provide early detection of response to anti-TNF treatment for RA
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LONDON — Early findings presented at the EULAR Annual Congress have indicated the identification of a blood-based biomarker that may detect responses to anti-tumor necrosis factor treatment at 3 months among patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Investigators note the findings could lead to earlier identification of non-responders and reduce the long-term radiologic damage and costs associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment.
“We have identified an immune signature in response to adalimumab treatment, which is an anti-[tumor necrosis factor] TNF biologic. This could lead to early identification of non-responders to this treatment so they could be switched to an alternative treatment early on, helping to save money and also alleviate further disability,” James Oliver, a second-year doctoral student at the University of Manchester, Arthritis Research, Centre for Genetics and Genomics, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research in the United Kingdom, said in a press conference. “This needs other lines of evidence integrated with it. We want to test this biomarker against moderate responders as well, and we also want to try to replicate this in a large, independent cohort so we can transfer this into the clinic.”
James Oliver
Oliver and colleagues investigated gene expression levels prior to treatment and at 3 months after treatment from whole blood samples collected for 44 patients with RA from the Biologics in RA Genetics and Genomics Study Syndicate cohort. The group included EULAR good responders and non-responders.
At 3 months after adalimumab treatment in patients, Oliver and colleagues found significant downregulation of 1,776 transcripts and upregulation of 943 transcripts in good responders. Among non-responders, investigators discovered no significant differences in gene expression between baseline and 3 months following treatment. Investigators noted most of the significantly upregulated genes were encoded with immunoglobulin and major histocompatibility complex II components, which demonstrated good responders had a positive response to adalimumab therapy, with immune cell migration from the synovium into the blood. – by Monica Jaramillo
Reference:
Oliver J, et al. Abstract #OP0236. Presented at: EULAR Annual Congress; June 8-11, 2016; London.
Disclosure: Oliver reports no relevant financial disclosures.