NEW YORK (Reuters Health)—In patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) refractory to treatment with rituximab or tocilizumab, genetic profiling of synovial biopsies predicted the lack of therapeutic response better than a model using only tissue pathology or clinical factors, researchers say.1 “We believe this study is a paradigm shift in precision medicine in RA,” Dr. Costantino…
Translating Genetic Discoveries into Rheumatic Therapies
SAN DIEGO—Will rheumatologists soon be able to use data from genetics and genome-wide association studies to more accurately predict disease and develop new therapies for rheumatic diseases? At a Nov. 5 session at the 2017 ACR/ARHP Annual Meeting, experts shared their views on how to glean this useful knowledge from genomics studies. The cost to develop…
Experts Discuss the Latest Precision Medicine Research
SAN DIEGO—In just two decades, precision medicine has gone from futuristic concept to realistic toolbox for clinical physicians. At the 2017 ACR Clinical Research Conference on Nov. 3, the Precision Medicine in Rheumatic Diseases: Hopes and Challenges lecture featured rheumatologists and experts on genetics, genomics, pharmacoÂgenetics and big data who spoke about the latest research…
Genetic Analysis Provides Insights into How Human Growth Is Linked to OA
Research has shed light on the genetic mutations that link GDF5 with arthritis and height. An ancient regulatory variant in GROW1 has been repeatedly selected in humans in northern environments, explaining the high frequency of a GDF5 haplotype that increases arthritis susceptibility…
The Genetic Factor: Research Examines Genetic Heritability for Pediatric Autoimmune Diseases
Recent research has helped further define genetic heritability for pediatric autoimmune diseases. In an interview, Dr. Hakon Hakanarson discusses how understanding common genetic factors can help develop risk prediction and treatments for such diseases as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, lupus and celiac disease…
With Genetic Testing Results, More May Be Better
(Reuters Health)—When people undergo genetic testing to find out whether they’re at risk for a specific disease, doctors often wonder how much information to give them. What if the genetic testing results reveal a risk for a disease the patient hadn’t been wondering about? Geneticists are “grappling with what to do with all the information…
Large Genome Study Identifies Genetic Risk Factors for Gout
Researchers have identified 28 genome-wide significant urate concentration–associated loci, underscoring the importance of metabolic control in urate production.
Susceptibility Loci Shed Light on Fundamental Pathways of Psoriasis
Investigators have described 15 new psoriasis susceptibility loci. The loci highlight the importance of the skin in both acquired and innate host defense and identify the innate immune response as a key factor in psoriasis.
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