Gene research may promise new arthritis treatment

August 24, 2000

TORONTO (Reuters) - Canadian researchers said on Thursday they

have identified a gene that can predict the severity of rheumatoid

arthritis, a discovery that could lead to earlier treatment and possibly

a cure for the debilitating joint disorder.

The research, funded in part by Canada's Arthritis Society Arthritis

Research Center, focused on the IFN gamma gene, which is

important in controlling the body's immune system.

Researchers said that the severity of a person's rheumatoid arthritis

depends on differences found in the IFN gamma gene.

"We believe the gene identified operates by controlling the degree of

joint inflammation. It is the most powerful indicator currently

recognized for predicting the severity of rheumatoid arthritis," said

Dr. Abbas Khani-Hanjani of the Immunology Laboratory at Vancouver

General Hospital in a statement.

The study, results of which were leaked to the National Post

Wednesday, will be published in the September 2 issue of The Lancet

medical journal.

The Arthritis Society said the discovery will enable doctors to refine

their treatment efforts at an early stage when symptoms are still

mild, preventing the destruction of cartilage, bone, tendons and

ligaments, which can lead to severe deformity and debilitating pain.

"It offers the possibility of identifying early which patients are likely to

get severe disease and of selecting appropriate treatment before

joint damage has occurred," said the Arthritis Society's lead

researcher on the study, Dr. Diane Lacaille.

Dr. John Esdaile, scientific director at the Arthritis Research Center

said the discovery could lead to a cure for the disease that afflicts

more than 300,000 Canadians.

"The discovery of the gene helps us better understand the cause of

rheumatoid arthritis and could lead to new treatment options and

even a possible cure," said Esdaile.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disorder of the immune system, which

causes it to attack the lining of joints, resulting in painful inflammation

and joint damage, said the researchers in a statement.

Dr. Edward Keystone, director of advanced therapeutics in arthritis at

Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto, told the National Post that a genetic test

predicting the disorder's severity would help in formulating treatment

at an early stage.

"So if I knew that a patient has a good prognosis, I'm not going to

use a toxic medication. I'm not going to use some of the new

biologics that cost between C$10,000 and C$17,000 a year," said

Keystone to National Post.