Look into the Future
Research Opportunities and Forecast
Mapping and identification of genes linked with disease susceptibility, severity, and responses to therapy in rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Identification of genes differentially expressed in RA synovium and relationship to disease phenotype
Determination of the precise role of locally expressed cytokines, growth factors, and proteases in the inflammatory and destructive manifestations of RA
Identification of sensitive and specific prognostic markers of disease severity
Development of sensitive measures for assessing disease progression (i.e., destruction) including imaging techniques
Elucidation of molecular mechanisms regulating cartilage and bone growth, differentiation, and maintenance
Characterization of factors regulating growth, differentiation, and programmed cell death of synovial cells in RA
Development of specific inhibitors directed against candidate pathogenetic cytokines and growth factors elaborated in RA synovium; preclinical investigations and, when appropriate, clinical testing of such inhibitors in patients with RA
Development of techniques for selectively delivering and expressing candidate therapeutic genes in synovial cells with high efficiency
Author: William J. Koopman, MD, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham