Synovial Pathology of Treatment response in Inflammatory Arthritis

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Investigation of the pathobiology of synovial tissue biopsies in RA and PsA cohorts in relation to treatment response

• IRAS ID

  186499

• Contact name

  Anne Barton

• Contact email

  anne.barton@manchester.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Manchester

• Duration of Study in the UK

  6 years, 0 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  A characteristic of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) or Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) is inflammation of the synovial joints. However, the underlying causes of this inflammation are not yet fully understood.

  This study will collect synovial tissue as well as synovial fluid, blood samples, and health data from NHS patients with RA or PsA. By examining the difference between the synovial joints in these two disease groups, as well as analysing how the synovial joints are affected following treatment, we may be able to more accurately predict which patients will respond best to current arthritis drugs.

  There are two arms to the study, which will recruit a total of 130 participants:
  Cross-sectional arm: 25 RA patients and 25 PsA patients will be recruited from routine arthritis clinics at the participating NHS hospital. Participants in this arm of the study will provide a one-off donation of synovial tissue and fluid from a synovial biopsy, as well as completing a patient questionnaire about their arthritis. A clinical questionnaire will record data from the patient’s medical records and blood samples will be taken to collect DNA, RNA, cells, and serum for genetic analysis.

  Prospective arm: 40 RA and 40 PsA patients who are about to start either Methotrexate or a biologic drug for treatment of their disease will be recruited from routine arthritis clinics at the participating NHS hospital. The prospective arm of the study will collect samples and data at three timepoints: Baseline (pre-treatment), 3 months and 6 months. At Baseline and 3 months synovial tissue and fluid will be collected from a synovial biopsy, together with blood samples (DNA, RNA, cells, and serum), patient and clinical questionnaires. At 6 months blood samples (DNA, cells, and serum) and a clinical assessment will be undertaken (no biopsy at this visit).

• REC name

  North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  16/NW/0571

• Date of REC Opinion

  19 Sep 2016

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion