Objective: To transform knowledge obtained from molecular research particularly within genomics, into a cure in an increasing number of patients suffering from inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is used as a prototype since this disease offers unique opportunities to define and evaluate new therapies. State of the art and beyond: Development of the first generation of targeted therapies (anti-TNF and anti-IL-1) in chronic inflammatory disease used RA as the prototype disease after work from European investigators included in the current IP. This work demonstrated (i) that targeted therapies can be efficient and (ii) that cure is still not achieved, but is within reach through a strong international consortium covering translational research and molecular technology. Work plan: -Potential key molecular mechanisms determining the course of RA and myositis are defined from genetic studies in humans, from relevant animal models and from basic cell and molecular biology. - Predictors of disease development and therapeutic responses, enabling future individualised therapies, are developed with the help of our unique large patient cohorts and, biobanks.. - Development and evaluation of new therapies is performed using combinations of novel molecular tools and precise definition of disease phenotypes. Impact of the project: We aim to produce (i) an increased understanding of the causes of RA and myositis enabling better prevention; (ii) new potential targets for therapy in arthritis and myositis, which can be further tested in other rheumatic inflammatory diseases; (iii) a prototype system for translational research in Europe, enabling collaborative development of targeted therapies in many inflammatory diseases and enabling European SMEs to rapidly develop ideas and patents into targeted therapies in inflammatory diseases.
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