PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - H Marotte
AU  - B Pallot-Prades
AU  - L Grange
AU  - J Tebib
AU  - P Gaudin
AU  - C Alexandre
AU  - J L Blond
AU  - M A Cazalis
AU  - B Mougin
AU  - P Miossec
TI  - The shared epitope is a marker of severity associated with selection for, but not with response to, infliximab in a large rheumatoid arthritis population
AID  - 10.1136/ard.2005.037150
DP  - 2006 Mar 01
TA  - Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases
PG  - 342--347
VI  - 65
IP  - 3
4099  - http://ard.bmj.com/content/65/3/342.short
4100  - http://ard.bmj.com/content/65/3/342.full
SO  - Ann Rheum Dis2006 Mar 01; 65
AB  - Objective: To determine whether joint destruction, indication for, and response to infliximab in rheumatoid arthritis are associated with the shared epitope (SE) or selected cytokine gene polymorphisms (interleukin (IL) 1B, IL1-RN, and tumour necrosis α). Methods: In a large rheumatoid arthritis population of 930 patients from the same area (Rhône-Alpes, France), patients with (n = 198) or without infliximab treatment (n = 732) were compared according to their genetic status. Clinical, biological, and radiological data were collected. Typing for SE status and cytokine polymorphisms was carried out using enzyme linked oligosorbent assay. Statistical analysis was by χ2 testing and calculation of odds ratios (OR). Results: A dose relation was observed between the number of SE copies and joint damage in the whole rheumatoid population (OR, 1 v 0 SE copy = 2.38 (95% confidence interval, 1.77 to 3.19), p<0.001; OR 2 v 0 SE copy = 3.92 (2.65 to 5.80), p<0.001. The SE effect increased with disease duration but was not significant before two years. Selection for infliximab treatment (n = 198) was associated with increased disease activity, joint damage, and the presence of the SE with a dose effect. In all, 66.2% patients achieved an ACR20 improvement. No clinical or genetic factors were able to predict the clinical response to infliximab. Conclusions: This post-marketing study in a large cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients indicates a linkage between rheumatoid arthritis severity, selection for treatment with infliximab, and the presence and dose of the SE.