Estrogens are known to modify immunologic responses and the modulation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity during pregnancy is well documented. However, whether physiologic replacement of estrogen and other hormones after menopause adversely affects RA outcomes is controversial.
Rheumatoid Arthritis News
European Admixture Associated with Genetic Risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis in African-Americans
Susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is complex; although a number of genetic susceptibility loci have been identified that appear to confer increased risk. Among these, genes encoding sequence variants in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule, known as the “shared epitope” (SE), have been known for decades and have the strongest link to RA susceptibility.
Early Safety Study of Atacicept Shows Promise in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Atacicept is a recombinant fusion protein that binds and neutralizes two molecules important for the maturation, proliferation, and survival of B cells: BLyS and APRIL. While B-cell depleting therapies have demonstrated efficacy in RA, atacicept differs from the anti-CD20 targeted monoclonal antibodies, such as rituximab, as its effects extend over the entire lineage of B lymphocytes, including plasma cells.
Novel Genetic Susceptibility Locus for Rheumatoid Arthritis identified from a Genome-Wide Association Study
A handful of genes which confer susceptibility to the development of RA are known, such as the HLA-DR “shared epitope” and variants in the PTPN22 gene. While these genes convey a relatively large degree of risk, identifying important genetic loci that convey more modest levels of risk have been a challenge due to the limitations of genetic research methods. Newer methods, such as the use of genome-wide association studies involving hundreds of thousands of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, can aid in the discrimination of genes with modest, yet potentially important and informative, effects on risk.
TNF Inhibitor Use Associated with a Reduced Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients?
RA is associated with an increase in cardiovascular (CV) events, such as myocardial infarction (MI) and sudden cardiac death. Inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, are implicated in atherothrombosis and the RA disease state, potentially explaining the increased risk of CV events in RA. The use of TNF inhibitors was associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular events in RA patients in one study, although it is not clear whether these effects are due to unique features of TNF inhibitors or are a consequence of non-specific suppression of inflammation.
Combination of Methotrexate and Isoniazid Appears Safe for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
The potential for hepatotoxicity is a well-recognized feature of therapy with a number of DMARDs in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with methotrexate (MTX) being the most common utilized. Concomitant use of other hepatotoxic agents has the potential to compound the risk of significant liver damage. Among these, isoniazid (INH) is increasingly used in RA patients receiving MTX with evidence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) or prior active tuberculosis for whom TNF inhibitor therapy is planned.
