Background Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) is involved in disruptive events in the cartilage and bone of inflamed joints. In addition, serum MMP-3 is a specific inflammatory marker of the synovium, unlike C-reactive protein (CRP), which is a non-specific inflammatory marker, and is recognized to be correlated with disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objectives Our aim in this study was to investigate the relationship between serum MMP-3 and CRP in RA patients treated with Adalimumab (ADA).

Methods Female RA patients (n=113) in continuation with ADA therapy for 52 weeks in the multicenter study group (Tsurumai Biologics Communication Registry; TBCR, 2176 cases treated with biologics were registered until 2011) were enrolled in this study. All patients were administered 40 mg ADA subcutaneously every 2 weeks. Correlations between serum MMP-3, and CRP levels were analyzed by the Pearson correlation-coefficient. We divided into 3 groups: normal level of CRP ((N, −) group), normal level of CRP and MMP-3 ((N, N) group), and normal level of CRP and abnormal level of MMP-3 ((N, ab-N) group). We evaluated the rate of DAS28-CRP remission (DAS28-CRP <2.3) at 52 weeks in 3 groups.

Results The serum MMP-3, CRP, and DAS28-CRP levels of all patients at baseline were 268 ng/mL, 2.0 mg/dL, and 5.1, respectively. Serum MMP-3 and CRP levels decreased significantly at 4 weeks (Fig. 1). Significant correlations between serum MMP-3 and CRP levels were found at 0, 4, 12, 24, and 52 weeks (Table). The median DAS28-CRP at 52 weeks in (N, −) group, (N, N) group, and (N, ab-N) group was 2.2, 2.0, and 2.5, respectively. DAS28-CRP at 52 weeks in (N, N) group is significantly lower than in (N, ab-N) group. DAS28-CRP at 52 weeks in (N, −) group is lower than in (N, ab-N) group (Fig. 2). The rate of remission at 52 weeks in (N, −) group, (N, N) group, and (N, ab-N) group was 48%, 58%, and 33%, respectively. The rate of remission at 52 weeks in (N, N) group is significantly higher than in (N, ab-N) group. The rate of remission at 52 weeks in (N, −) group is higher than in (N, ab-N) group (Fig. 3). Normal level of CRP and MMP-3 suggested that high remission rate were preferable at 52 weeks.

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Conclusions In ADA therapy, normal value of serum MMP-3 and CRP can be useful for estimating the DAS28-CRP remission. We considered that serum MMP-3 can be the index of remission in RA patients with anti-TNFα therapy.

Disclosure of Interest Y. Hattori: None declared, A. Kaneko: None declared, A. Kaneko: None declared, D. Kida: None declared, D. Kida: None declared, N. Takahashi: None declared, N. Takahashi: None declared, H. Ishikawa: None declared, H. Ishikawa: None declared, H. Kanda: None declared, H. Kanda: None declared, T. Sato: None declared, T. Sato: None declared, T. Kojima Speakers bureau: Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Takeda Pharma Corporation, Eisai Pharma Corporation, Chugai Pharma Corporation, Abbvie, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer, T. Kojima Speakers bureau: Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Takeda Pharma Corporation, Eisai Pharma Corporation, Chugai Pharma Corporation, Abbvie, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer, N. Ishiguro Speakers bureau: Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Takeda Pharma Corporation, Eisai Pharma Corporation, Chugai Pharma Corporation, Abbvie, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer, N. Ishiguro Speakers bureau: Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Takeda Pharma Corporation, Eisai Pharma Corporation, Chugai Pharma Corporation, Abbvie, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer

DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.1349