Increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha mRNA expression in whole blood from patients with rheumatoid arthritis: reduction after infliximab treatment does not predict response.

Objective: It has been suggested that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with abundant tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are more likely to respond to TNF-alpha inhibitors. We measured expression of TNF-alpha mRNA in peripheral blood of RA patients undergoing infliximab treatment in order to test its predictive value for treatment response.

Methods: Forty-four RA patients showing persistent disease activity and 27 healthy controls were studied.