The pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis

The New England Journal of Medicine 2011; 365:2205-19

This review article describes the pathogenic processes involved in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and discusses the genetic factors and environmental triggers implicated in the disease. Data from twin studies are discussed along with candidate genes with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that have been linked to RA. It is now thought a multistep progression to the development of RA occurs via environmental factors, epigenetic modification of susceptible genes that leads to altered post-transcrip...
This article focuses on the development of new small molecular inhibitors of Janus kinases (Jaks) in clinical trials for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Of these, tofacitinib is at the most advanced stage of its clinical development and this article includes an overview of the results from the main tofacitinib clinical trials to date. These include the ORAL-Start study in methotrexate (MTX)-naïve patients; ORAL-Scan in inadequate responders to MTX; ORAL-Solo and ORAL-Sync in inadequate responders to ...

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This review paper considers how advances in understanding of the disease process underlying rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and the development of novel techniques have transformed the management of this progressively disabling condition. Physicians are no longer limited to prescribing symptomatic treatments such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or choosing from a seemingly random array of drugs drawn from multiple disciplines, such as methotrexate and sulphasalazine, which are descri...

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Janus kinases inhibitors in autoimmune diseases

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2013; 72:ii111-ii115

This review describes the role of various cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and related diseases. This includes an overview of the different types of cytokine receptors including type I, which bind some of the interleukins (ILs), colony stimulating factors (CSFs) and hormones such as erythropoietin, prolactin and growth hormone (GH); and type II, which bind to interferons and IL-10-related proteins. In addition, the cytoplasmic domain of type I and II cytokine receptors bind to members of a...

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