Dr. Weyand’s team will investigate how treatment with methotrexate or TNF blockers affects bone marrow precursor cells to determine where the defects in these cells exist. The ultimate goal is to develop a totally novel approach to RA, aiming at regeneration of bone marrow precursor cells to improve function and tissue repair.
- David M. Lee, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, discussed his research on immunoglobulin G (IgG) glycosylation and RA:
This project will investigate the usefulness of a new laboratory test measuring a natural modification of antibodies (glycosylation) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. By employing a new methodology, Dr. Lee hopes to determine the utility of IgG glycosylation (a natural modification of antibodies) as a biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of response to therapy in RA. If measurement of IgG glycosylation proves a useful biomarker in patients with RA, the newly developed methodology is readily transferable to clinical practice. It could aid in early diagnosis of the disease, or help predict disease severity and which patients will respond to specific medications.
The Within Our Reach advisory board was created to provide a forum for interaction between lay and other campaign donors, leadership, and science investigators. This was of great importance to Dr. Lee, as he saw this as an opportunity to thank the advisory board for their support of the Within Our Reach campaign, which—according to Dr. Lee—has enabled work on a novel and exciting disease pathway in RA. “Because of the Within Our Reach campaign, we have been able to put together the resources and personnel to move forward,” says Dr. Lee. “It is quite likely this funding mechanism will enable RA-focused research projects that previously languished for lack of appropriate funding.”
Within Our Reach is a multi-year, $30-million fundraising campaign seeking to advance the future of rheumatologic research by accelerating RA research not normally funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or other peer-reviewed funding sources.
Launched by the ACR Research and Education Foundation (REF) in March 2006, Within Our Reach has the capacity to improve RA patients’ quality of life, alleviate long-term effects of RA, and, ultimately, ensure that future generations can enjoy life without RA.
For more information on the Within Our Reach campaign, visit www.WithinOurReach.info.
Within Our Reach Leadership Supporters
The REF gratefully acknowledges the following companies and individuals who have demonstrated leadership support for the Within Our Reach campaign. This information was current as of January 11: