Publications

Abstract BACKGROUND We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of two biomarkers of tissue inflammation, matrix metalloproteinase-dependent degradation of C-reactive protein (CRPM) and connective tissue type I collagen turnover (C1M), on the incidence and progression of radiographic osteoarthritis (OA) in the Rotterdam Study, a prospective cohort. Moreover, the independent effect of these biomarkers with respect […]

Abstract OBJECTIVE Tissue destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is predominantly mediated by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), thereby generating protein fragments. Previous studies have revealed that these fragments include MMP-mediated collagen type I, II, and III degradation, citrullinated and MMP-degraded vimentin and MMP degraded C-reactive protein. We evaluated if biomarkers measuring serum levels of specific sequences of […]

Abstract AIM To investigate if tissue turnover biomarkers were efficacy biomarkers in ankylosing spondylitis and if the biomarkers at baseline predicted a good outcome (BASDAI50). PATIENTS & METHODS Twenty-two etanercept treated ankylosing spondylitis patients were investigated for inflammation (CRP, ESR, CRPM) and tissue turnover (C1M, C2M, C3M) during the first year of treatment. Biomarkers profiles […]

Abstract The disabling and painful disease osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. Strong evidence suggests that a subpopulation of OA patients has a form of OA driven by inflammation. Consequently, understanding when inflammation is the driver of disease progression and which OA patients might benefit from anti-inflammatory treatment is a topic of […]

Abstract BACKGROUND Matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) plays an important role in the pathology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Measurement of active MMP-3 in clinical samples could provide information about progression of rheumatoid diseases, and potentially response to treatment. Hence, we aimed to develop a sensitive assay specifically measuring the active form of MMP-3 […]

Abstract OBJECTIVE We investigated the effects of tocilizumab (TCZ) on joint tissue remodeling in patients with moderate to severely active RA by measuring tissue-specific biomarker. METHODS The LITHE biomarker study (n = 740) was a phase III study of 4- and 8-mg/kg TCZ in combination with MTX. Early response was evaluated at week 16 as […]

Abstract OBJECTIVE To evaluate changes in biochemical markers of bone metabolism in response to tocilizumab in patients with anti-tumor necrosis factor-refractory rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS RADIATE was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group phase 3 trial. C-reactive protein, osteocalcin (OC), C-terminal telopeptides of type-I collagen (C-terminal telopeptides of type-1 collagen (CTX-I) and type-I collagen degradation product), […]

Abstract OBJECTIVES Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammation of the spine and the sacroiliac joints. Current markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), are reflecting the production of an acute phase reactant rather than tissue specific inflammation, but the use of CRP as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for AS has not provided […]