| This program has focused on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and Sjögren s syndrome (SS); we aim to translate new discoveries into novel therapeutic approaches. We have continued a large program called Synoviomics , which aims at identifying genes and proteins involved in the pathogenesis of various arthritides using microarray technology. The potential of chemokine blockade has been explored in in vitro models of migration and in phase Ib/II proof of concept studies. Changes in serial synovial biopsy samples are used as biomarkers to predict possible clinical efficacy and to provide insight into the mechanism of action of therapy. Similarly, studies have been performed to provide more insight into the mechanism of action of anti-TNF and rituximab treatment in RA patients and to identify markers that might be used to predict clinical efficacy. For the development of gene therapy we have continued to work on the development of novels AAV-constructs. We have submitted a patent on a discovery in this field and aim at further development for treatment of RA and SS. We have developed new approaches for the analysis of T cell receptor (TCR) repertoires, in close collaboration with AMC s Dept. of Neurogenetics; we have submitted a patent application. |
