[Relationship between matrix metalloproteinase-3 levels and articular destructive changes in early and extended rheumatoid arthritis].

Aim: To estimate a relationship between matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) levels and articular radiographic changes in early and extended rheumatoid arthritis (RA); to analyze the role of this biomarker in predicting the progression of joint destruction in RA.

Subjects And Methods: Forty-five patients with early RA and 42 with extended RA were examined. Radiography of the hands and distal feet was performed before and one year after therapy.

[Relationship of the clinical efficiency of tocilizumab therapy to the serum level of matrix metalloproteinase-3 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis].

Aim: To evaluate the impact of tocilizumab (TCZ) therapy on the level of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) 4, 24, and 48 weeks after treatment initiation in relation to the clinical efficiency of TCZ therapy by the Disease Activity Score (DAS28), the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), and the Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI).

Subjects And Methods: Forty-two rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who had received 6 intravenous infusions of TCZ 8 mg/kg at a 4-week interval during permanent therapy with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD) and glucocorticosteroids (GCS) were examined. Then TCZ was discontinued and the patients continued to receive the previous therapy with DMARD and GCS.