Targeted Drug Delivery for RA: A New Era of Precision and Relief

Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can feel like a daily battle—pain, stiffness, fatigue, and the uncertainty of flare-ups. While current treatments help many people manage symptoms, they often come with side effects and don’t always work the same for everyone. But there's good news: scientists are developing smarter, more precise ways to treat RA using something called targeted drug delivery systems.

Let’s break down what that means—and why it could be a game-changer for you.

What Is Targeted Drug Delivery?

Imagine your medication acting like a GPS-guided package. Instead of traveling all over your body, it goes straight to the inflamed joints or immune cells causing trouble. That’s the idea behind targeted drug delivery systems (DDS). These tiny carriers—often made from materials like liposomes or nanoparticles—are designed to deliver medicine exactly where it’s needed.

Why It Matters for RA Patients

Here’s how targeted DDS could improve life with RA:

• Fewer side effects: Because the drug avoids healthy tissues, you’re less likely to experience nausea, fatigue, or other unwanted reactions.

• Better symptom control: More medicine reaches the inflamed joints, which could mean faster relief and longer-lasting effects.

• Less frequent dosing: Some systems release medicine slowly over time, so you might not need to take it as often.

How It Works

Some DDS are designed to respond to changes in your body—like the acidity or temperature in inflamed joints. Others are coated with special molecules that “recognize” immune cells involved in RA. Once they arrive at the target, they release the medication right where it’s needed.

What’s Next?

These technologies are still being tested, but they’re moving closer to real-world use. Researchers are exploring:

• Personalized treatments based on your unique immune profile

• Microneedle patches that deliver drugs painlessly through the skin

• Smart materials that adjust to your body’s needs in real time

What You Can Do

If you’re curious about these new therapies, talk to your rheumatologist. Ask:

• “Are there any clinical trials I could consider?”

• “How might targeted therapies improve my treatment plan?”

• “What’s the timeline for these options becoming available?”

Final Thoughts

RA is complex, but science is catching up. Targeted drug delivery offers hope for more effective, personalized, and gentle treatment. It’s not just about managing symptoms—it’s about reclaiming your quality of life.

Stay informed, stay hopeful, and keep asking questions. The future of RA treatment is looking brighter.

READ THE RESEARCH

What RA Patients Should Know About Metabolic Syndrome

A 2025 study explores how common metabolic syndrome is among people with rheumatoid arthritis worldwide. By analyzing data from multiple countries, the researchers found that nearly one in three RA patients also has metabolic syndrome — a cluster of conditions like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and excess belly fat that increase the risk of heart disease. 

The findings highlight the importance of routine screening and lifestyle management to reduce cardiovascular risks in this vulnerable group.

What’s the study about?

This research looked at how common metabolic syndrome is in people who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA). 

Metabolic is a group of health problems that often happen together — like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess belly fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels. These issues raise the risk of heart disease and can make RA worse.

What did the researchers do?

They reviewed and combined results from many studies around the world to get a clearer picture. This type of research is called a systematic review and meta-analysis — basically, they crunched a lot of data from different places to find patterns.

What did they find?

• About 30 out of every 100 people with RA also have metabolic syndrome.

• Some countries had much higher rates — like Iraq (57%), Croatia (50%), and Singapore (47%).

• Others had lower rates — like Congo (12%), Algeria (14%), and South Korea (17%).

• Across continents:

  • South America had the highest rate (almost 39%)

  • Africa had the lowest (about 26%)

What increases the risk?

People with RA were more likely to have metabolic syndrome if they had:

• A larger waist size

• A higher body mass index (BMI)

• High triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood)

• High blood sugar

• Low HDL cholesterol (the “good” kind)

What does this mean for patients and doctors?

Doctors should regularly check RA patients for signs of metabolic syndrome — especially things like belly fat, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. Catching these early can help prevent heart problems and improve overall health.

Here’s what someone with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can do to help prevent metabolic syndrome (MetS), based on the latest research:

1. Adopt a Heart-Healthy Diet

• Focus on whole foods: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

• Limit processed foods, sugary snacks, and saturated fats.

• Mediterranean-style diets are especially beneficial for both RA and MetS.

2. Stay Physically Active

• Regular low-impact exercise (like walking, swimming, or yoga) helps reduce inflammation and improve metabolism.

• Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.

 3. Maintain a Healthy Weight

• Excess weight, especially around the waist, increases the risk of MetS.

• Weight management can also reduce joint stress and RA symptoms.

4. Monitor Medications

• Some RA treatments (like corticosteroids) can raise blood sugar and cholesterol.

• Work with your doctor to balance RA control with metabolic health.

5. Manage Stress and Sleep

• Chronic stress and poor sleep can worsen both RA and MetS.

• Try relaxation techniques like meditation, deep breathing, or gentle stretching.

6. Consider Coffee (Yes, Really!)

• A recent study suggests moderate coffee consumption may help reduce the risk of MetS in RA patients.

7. Get Regular Screenings

• Check your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and waist circumference regularly.

• Early detection means early action.

Read the research report: 

Global prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

You my also like to read my personal journey with food and RA. Here I talk about a Blueprint I am following. 

Maybe you are interested in the American College of Rheumatology Guidelines for Rheumatoid Arthritis including exercise and diet. 

How Your Gut Can Help Ease Rheumatoid Arthritis

 

Graphic of short-chain fatty acids

Did you know your gut might hold the key to feeling better with RA? A new study shows that tiny substances made by good bacteria in your gut—called short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)—can help calm inflammation and rebalance your immune system.

What’s Going On in RA?

RA is an autoimmune disease, which means your immune system mistakenly attacks your joints. Two types of immune cells—Th17 and Treg—play a big role. In RA, Th17 cells go into overdrive and cause inflammation, while Treg cells (which help calm things down) don’t work as well.

Enter the Gut Microbiome

Your gut is full of helpful bacteria. When you eat fiber-rich foods (like fruits, veggies, and whole grains), these bacteria produce SCFAs—especially one called butyrate. These SCFAs help:

•  Reprogram immune cells to behave better

•  Change how genes are read (epigenetics)

•  Control the release of inflammation-causing chemicals

What the Study Found

Researchers discovered that SCFAs can:

• Reduce joint inflammation by 70%

• Boost calming Treg cells, increasing their helpful chemical IL-10 by 3 times

• Lower morning stiffness—especially when butyrate levels are higher

How Can You Get More SCFAs?

Here are some promising ways:

• High-fiber diets: Eating more fiber can raise butyrate levels by 240% and lower RA disease activity scores

• Probiotics: Certain strains like Bifidobacterium help reduce harmful immune cells

• Smart delivery systems: New treatments use tiny particles to deliver SCFAs directly to your gut

• Combination therapies: Mixing these approaches works 40% better than using just one

What This Means for You

This research opens the door to personalized RA care based on your gut health. Doctors may soon use your microbiome to guide treatment—like choosing the right diet, probiotics, or even timing your meds based on your body’s rhythm.

If you’re living with RA, talk to your doctor about ways to support your gut—like adding more fiber or trying probiotics. Your gut and your joints might just be better friends than you think!

Read the full study results

New Hope for RA Patients with Cancer: Combining Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and DMARDs

Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is challenging enough—but what happens when cancer enters the picture? 

A recent study explores a promising treatment approach that could help manage RA symptoms in cancer patients: combining immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

What Are ICIs and DMARDs?

• Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are powerful cancer therapies that help the immune system attack tumors by blocking proteins like PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4.

• DMARDs are medications used to slow the progression of RA and reduce inflammation. Common types include methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, leflunomide, and sulfasalazine.

While ICIs are effective against cancer, they can sometimes trigger immune-related side effects—including inflammatory arthritis. That’s where DMARDs come in.

The Study at a Glance

Researchers followed 50 cancer patients with RA who were treated with ICIs and conventional DMARDs. Most had advanced cancers like melanoma or renal carcinoma, and many experienced severe arthritis symptoms.

Key findings:

• 62% of patients showed improvement in arthritis symptoms within 60 days of starting DMARDs.

• The most common side effect was inflammatory arthritis (26%), followed by dermatitis and colitis.

• DMARDs helped control arthritis without significantly interfering with cancer treatment.

What This Means for You

If you’re living with RA and undergoing cancer treatment, this study offers hope. It suggests that:

• RA symptoms can be managed effectively—even during cancer therapy.

• DMARDs may help reduce inflammation without compromising cancer outcomes.

• Personalized treatment plans are essential, especially for those who don’t respond to standard therapies.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Not all patients responded to the combined treatment—38% saw no improvement.

• Immune-related side effects are common and require close monitoring.

• More research is needed to refine treatment protocols and explore long-term outcomes.

Final Thoughts

This study opens the door to a more integrated approach for managing RA in cancer patients. If you’re facing both conditions, talk to your rheumatologist and oncologist about whether this combination therapy might be right for you.

You can read the full study in a pdf here 

Natural Arthritis and Bone Loss Treatment? A Citrus Compound Shows Promise

Arthritis and Bone Loss – Why They Go Together

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune conditions don’t just cause joint pain — they can also lead to bone loss (osteoporosis).

• Ongoing inflammation damages the joints and speeds up bone breakdown.

• That’s why many people with arthritis also face a higher risk of fractures.

What Is Narirutin?

• Narirutin is a natural plant compound (a flavonoid) found in citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits.

• Flavonoids are known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and heart-protective benefits.

• Researchers are now asking: Can narirutin also help as a natural remedy for arthritis and osteoporosis?

Key Findings from New Research

In recent lab and animal studies, narirutin:

•  Shifted immune cells (macrophages) away from the damaging, inflammation-driving type and toward the healing type.

•  Lowered harmful inflammatory chemicals linked to joint pain and swelling.

•  Boosted anti-inflammatory signals that calm the immune system.

•  Slowed down osteoclasts, the bone-breaking cells that worsen osteoporosis.

•  Reduced joint inflammation and bone erosion in arthritis models.

•  Showed no serious safety problems in animals.

Why This Is Important

• Narirutin may offer a two-in-one benefit: calming inflammation and protecting bone strength.

• This makes it a potential natural treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and a way to lower the risk of osteoporosis naturally.

• It’s still early research — human clinical trials are needed before it becomes an approved therapy.

---

 Take-Home Message

A natural citrus compound called narirutin could one day become part of a gentle, plant-based approach to arthritis and osteoporosis treatment. While it’s not yet available as a medicine, this research adds to the growing evidence that natural remedies for arthritis and flavonoids for bone health deserve more attention.

Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis Better With Caregiver Support

Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be tough, but having someone close—like a family member or friend—can make a big difference. A recent study, published on August 8, 2025, in Rheumatology International, explored how including caregivers or your closest support person in research can help us learn more about RA and improve patient outcomes. Here’s what it found, explained in simple terms.

What Was the Study About?

The study wanted to understand how caregivers or your nearest support person (like a spouse, sibling, or friend) can help researchers better understand RA. These supporters, called CoNSP (Caregivers or Nearest Support Persons), were included as patient advocates in a research project. The goal was to see what unique insights they could bring to the table.

The research was done between March 2018 and February 2019, involving people with RA and their CoNSP from the United States, Spain, and Italy. In total, 16 interviews were conducted with eight pairs (each pair was a person with RA and their CoNSP).

What Did They Find?

The study created something called The Advocacy Effect Theory. This theory explains how caregivers or support persons help in RA research. It breaks down into three main ideas:

1. Sharing the Same Viewpoint: People with RA and their CoNSP often see things the same way. They agree on the challenges and experiences of living with RA, which helps confirm what’s important.

2. Expanding the Viewpoint: CoNSP add more details to what the person with RA shares. For example, they might notice things about daily struggles or symptoms that the person with RA didn’t mention, giving researchers a fuller picture.

3. Bringing a New Viewpoint: Sometimes, CoNSP share completely new information that the person with RA didn’t think to mention. This could be about how RA affects their life or new challenges they face, which adds valuable insights.

Why Does This Matter?

Including caregivers or support persons in RA research is a game-changer. They bring a fresh perspective and share details that might otherwise be missed. This helps researchers understand RA better and can lead to improved treatments, support, and care for people living with it.

Takeaway

If you have RA, your loved ones or closest supporters can play a big role in helping researchers understand your condition. Their input adds depth and new ideas, making research more complete. So, when it comes to RA, teamwork between you and your support person can make a real difference!

The source for the study is:

Negrón, J. B., Lopez-Olivo, M. A., Carmona, L., Christensen, R., Ingegnoli, F., Zamora, N. V., Gonzalez-Lopez, L., Strand, V., Goel, N., Westrich-Robertson, T., & Suarez-Almazor, M. E. (2025). The advocacy effect: a grounded theory study on the inclusion of caregivers or nearest support persons in research to better understand patient outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology International, 45, article number 188. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-025-05676-4

Bavachin Shows Promise for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis by Targeting Vitamin D Pathways

The following is a summary of recent research into Bavachin for Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis:

Background:
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease where the immune system attacks joints, causing pain and damage. It also affects how vitamin D works in the body, which can lead to calcium buildup in joints. This study looks at Bavachin (BVN), a natural compound from the plant Psoralea corylifolia, to see if it can help improve vitamin D function and reduce calcium buildup in RA.

What Was Done:

• Scientists used computer models to see how well BVN binds to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) — a key part of the vitamin D system.

• They tested BVN on RA joint cells in the lab to see if it changes VDR levels.

• They also studied how BVN affects RXRα, a partner protein needed for VDR to work properly.

• They checked if BVN reduces calcium deposits and levels of calcium-related proteins in these cells.

What Was Found:

• BVN strongly binds to the vitamin D receptor.

• It increases the amount of VDR and RXRα in RA cells.

• It improves how well these two proteins interact, boosting vitamin D signaling.

• BVN reduces calcium buildup and lowers the activity of proteins that control calcium in the joints.

Conclusion:
Bavachin may help treat RA by fixing problems in vitamin D signaling and preventing harmful calcium buildup in joints.

SOURCE: 

Unlocking the potential of Bavachin in vitamin D receptor cascade modulation for rheumatoid arthritis Chakraborty D, et al. Molecular Biology Report in Springer Nature 2025.

More about Bavachin:

Bavachin is a natural compound found in the seeds and fruits of a plant called Psoralea corylifolia, often used in traditional medicine. It acts like a plant-based version of estrogen, a hormone in the body, and can influence various health processes. It may help strengthen bones, improve insulin function for diabetes, reduce inflammation, act as an antioxidant, and even support healing in fractures. Think of it as a versatile, plant-derived substance with potential health benefits.

2022 American College of Rheumatology Guidelines for Rheumatoid Arthritis

 2022 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Guideline for Exercise, Rehabilitation, Diet, and Additional Integrative Interventions for Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The guideline addresses the use of exercise, rehabilitation, diet, and additional integrative interventions in conjunction with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) as part of an integrative management approach for people with rheumatoid arthritis. It is not about the pharmacologic management of rheumatoid arthritis. It is about integrative interventions for the management of RA to accompany DMARD treatments.

EXERCISE.

Consistent engagement in exercise was strongly recommended. Aerobic, Aquatic, Resistance and Mind-Body exercise were the types of exercise recommended.

REHABILITATION RECOMMENDATIONS:

Occupational therapy; physical therapy; splinting, orthoses, compression, bracing, and/or taping; Joint protection techniques; activity pacing, activity modification, energy conservation, and/or fatigue management; Assistive devices, adaptive equipment, and/or environmental adaptations; Vocational rehabilitation, work site evaluations and/or modifications.

DIET.

Mediterranean-style diet was recommended.

ADDITIONAL INTERVENTIONS:

Standardized self management program; Cognitive behavioral therapy and/or mind body approaches; Acupuncture; Massage therapy; Thermal modalities.

You can view the Guideline Summary in pdf here 

FURTHER READING AND PERSONAL STORIES

If you are looking for further reading on these topics you may be interested in the following personal stories about some of these suggested interventions:

Aquatic Exercise: Starting hydrotherapy

Talk Over RA – Julia McNally and Yoga For RA

How 3 Women Stay Active with Rheumatoid Arthritis – Women’s Health

Activity pacing: Learning to Pace Myself

What do you actually eat on the Mediterranean diet? Mediterranean diet breakfasts. List of breakfast suggestions and a recipe.

Mediterranean diet simplified includes What a Day on the Mediterranean Diet might look like for both summer and winter.

Wellness for a Life with Rheumatic Disease

Research results will give rise to new drugs for rheumatoid arthritis.

Find out about this study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in the scientific journal PNAS reports and how it affects RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis)

Endogenous proteins that play a vital part in allergies and parasitic infection can prevent the immune system from wrongly attacking the body and causing inflamed joints, a new study reports. 

The researchers hope that the results will give rise to new drugs for rheumatoid arthritis.


SUMMARY:

• Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discovered that certain proteins can play an important part in preventing autoimmune attacks. 
• These proteins are called IL-4 and IL-13 
• The proteins, are secreted by immune cells in the presence of allergens or parasitic infections.
• They influence the behaviour of a specific immune cell called a neutrophil. 
• Neutrophils are the most abundant immune cells found in the actively inflamed joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. 
• Proteins, IL-4 and IL-13, prevent neutrophils from migrating into the inflamed joint. 
• Researchers used the CRISPR method to modify immune-cell genes to understand how they affect cell behaviour.

"I have high hopes that the experimental use of CRISPR will be hugely important to our understanding of how immune-cell behaviour is regulated, and that this can guide us in the development of new efficacious drugs."  says Dr Wermeling assistant professor at the Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet (Solna).

READ THE FULL ARTICLE

SEE THE STUDY REPORT

You may also like to view:

What Are the Types of Arthritis?

What is polyarthritis?

Rheumatoid Arthritis natural treatment. 

Turmeric For Rheumatoid Arthritis: Does It Work?

Some research suggests that turmeric may help alleviate the inflammatory symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. The spice affords several benefits such as anti-inflammatory functions provided by its main component curcumin.

What Is Turmeric?

It is a spice that contains anti-inflammatory properties. Otherwise known as Curcuma longa, the bright yellow or orange spice is also the main component in traditional medicine such as Ayurveda. The latter treats skin diseases, stomach problems, blood disorders, cough, mild infections and liver conditions.

According to a review article published in the US National Library of Medicine, turmeric is rich in curcumin that has an antioxidant effect, lowers blood sugar, is anti-inflammatory and affords anticancer benefits. Since rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissue, patients experience inflammation that leads to bone and joint damage. The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric could alleviate its symptoms.

Curcumin

In a 2016 systematic review, researchers measured the effectiveness of turmeric and curcumin extracts on arthritis patients. Those who took 1,000 milligrams of curcumin daily for eight to 12 weeks reduced their pain sensations and inflammation which are common symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Researchers found that curcumin extracts are effective in treating these symptoms by recommending patients to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and diclofenac. They, however, noted that there is a need for further research to confirm their findings. Nevertheless, they recommended that arthritis patients may use curcumin as a dietary supplement while undergoing conventional therapy.

A subsequent study looked into the effects of curcumin on rats with rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers determined that the component reduced inflammation and redness among the lab rats by blocking an intercellular signaling process called mTOR pathway.

Read full article by Leian Naduma at Medical Daily

Vagus nerve stimulation may reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis

Electrostimulation of the vagus nerve may be key to reducing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, according to findings that scientists presented at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology in Madrid, Spain.

This research gives hope that there may be a new way to help treat this autoimmune condition.

The vagus nerve, which is a very long nerve that runs between the brain and the neck, chest, and abdomen, is a complex structure.

Previous research has found an inflammatory reflex in the vagus nerve that reduces the production of cytokines, including certain molecules that are a component of autoimmune conditions. These molecules are called tumor necrosis factor (TNF).

The immune systems of healthy people block TNF, but in those with certain autoimmune conditions, excess TNF makes its way into the bloodstream and causes inflammation and a higher rate of symptoms associated with the conditions.

TNF is a target in many rheumatoid arthritis (RA) drugs, such as infliximab(Remicade) or etanercept (Enbrel). Many people call these drugs TNF-blockers.

The researchers thought that if they could boost this naturally occurring reflex in the vagus nerve, it might have a similar result — or one that was even better, as drugs that aim for TNF also suppress the immune system and have other unwelcome side effects.

"This is a really exciting development," says Prof. Thomas Dörner, Chairperson of the Scientific Programme Committee at the Annual European Congress of Rheumatology, which this year takes place in Madrid, Spain.

"For many [people living with] RA, current treatments don't work, or aren't tolerated. These results open the door to a novel approach to treating not only RA but other chronic inflammatory diseases. This is certainly an area for further study," adds Prof. Dörner.

Small neurostimulator led to big findings

The researchers implanted a small neurostimulator, called a MicrioRegulator, into 14 people with RA. To qualify for the study, each person had tried at least two medications that worked in different ways but that hadn't helped reduce their symptoms.

The scientists then divided the participants into three groups: a placebo group, a group that had vagus stimulation once per day, and a group that had vagus stimulation four times per day.

The study, which took place over 12 weeks, revealed that those in the once-per-day group had a much better result, symptom-wise, than those in the other two groups — including those that had stimulation four times each day.

Both stimulation groups also had a distinct reduction of more than 30% in their cytokine levels during the course of the study.

What does the future hold?

Although surgically implanting small neurostimulators into every person with RA is probably not feasible, reasonable, or required, this study does shine a light on potential therapy that can help those who do not respond well to traditional medications for the condition.

The findings of this research will also pave the way for future studies.

"Our pilot study suggests this novel MicroRegulator device is well tolerated and reduces signs and symptoms of [RA]," says Dr. Mark Genovese, the James W. Raitt Endowed Professor of Medicine at Stanford University in California.

Read the full article by Monica Beyer at MEDICAL NEWS TODAY

Milk and beef may be a trigger for developing rheumatoid arthritis

A new study has found that a strain of bacteria that is often in milk and beef may be a trigger for developing rheumatoid arthritis.

WHERE: University of Central Florida, USA.

WHEN: Study published in the Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology in January 2018

WHO:  Saleh Naser, University of Central Florida (UCF) infectious disease specialist, Dr. Shazia Bég, rheumatologist at UCF's physician practice, and Robert Sharp, a biomedical sciences doctoral candidate at the medical school.

WHAT: Researchers have found a connection between rheumatoid arthritis and Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, (MAP), a bacteria found in about half the cows in the United States. MAP may be a trigger for those who are genetically at risk for developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). 

“We don’t know the cause of rheumatoid arthritis, so we’re excited that we have found this association,” Bég said. “But there is still a long way to go." 

 “Understanding the role of MAP in rheumatoid arthritis means the disease could be treated more effectively,” Dr. Naser said. “Ultimately, we may be able to administer a combined treatment to target both inflammation and bacterial infection.”

MY QUESTIONS and OPINION:

• If  MAP is found in such a large percentage of cows, and therefore their products, how do we know if we are being exposed to MAP through consuming milk or meat from infected cattle
• Also how do we know if we are genetically at risk for developing RA?
• Many people with one autoimmune disease go on to develop other autoimmune diseases so in my way of thinking this is another reason to avoid cow's milk (which I already do) and now also beef. 
• Do you think eating organic grass fed beef removes the risk of MAP?
• Should we all be eating a Vegan diet or is that just too extreme?

Read the full article at the University of Central Florida site

ARTICLE:

Study Finds Bacteria in Milk Linked to Rheumatoid Arthritis

Around one-third of patients with juvenile arthritis fail to respond to first-line treatments

When treating the symptoms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis, also called juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are often used. These include methotrexate (MTX), Enbrel and Humira.

Around one-third of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis fail to respond to MTX or TNF therapy. Even fewer achieve the American College of Rheumatology Pediatric 70% criteria for response.

In this new research, printed in The Journal of Rheumatology in January 2018, the researchers evaluated whether measuring blood levels of the protein S100A12 could be a suitable predictor for treatment outcomes in JIA patients.

Because change in serum S100-protein myeloid-related protein complex 8/14 (MRP8/14) is associated with therapeutic response, we tested granulocyte-specific S100-protein S100A12 as a potential biomarker for treatment response.

Methods 
S100A12 serum concentration was determined by ELISA in 163 patients treated with MTX or anti-TNF at baseline and follow up. Treatment response achievement of inactive disease, and improvement in Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score were recorded. ELISA is enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay - a test that uses antibodies and color change to identify a substance. 

Results
Researchers found that when compared to non-responders, patients who responded to the administrated therapies had significantly higher baseline levels of blood S100A12.

Conclusion 
People who will respond to MTX or anti-TNF treatment can be identified by pre-treatment S100A12 serum concentration levels.

ARTICLE:

S100A12 Is Associated with Response to Therapy in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Faekah Gohar, Janneke Anink, Halima Moncrieffe, Lisette W.A. Van Suijlekom-Smit, 
Femke H.M. Prince, Marion A.J. van Rossum, Koert M. Dolman, Esther P.A.H. Hoppenreijs, 
Rebecca ten Cate, Simona Ursu, Lucy R. Wedderburn, Gerd Horneff, Michael Frosch, 
Dirk Foell and Dirk Holzinger

The Journal of Rheumatology January 2018, jrheum.170438; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3899/jrheum.170438