IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF gene polymorphisms do not affect the treatment outcome of rheumatoid arthritis patients with leflunomide.

Leflunomide is an isoxazole derivative that is structurally and functionally unrelated to other known immunomodulatory drugs. Previous studies have revealed that therapy with leflunomide causes decreased production of mediators such as IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-alpha, which are involved in inflammatory process. The aim of the present study was to examine whether the polymorphisms in genes IL1B, IL6, and TNF may affect treatment outcomes in RA patients treated with leflunomide.

The effect of exon (19C>A) dihydroorotate dehydrogenase gene polymorphism on rheumatoid arthritis treatment with leflunomide.

Objective: Leflunomide is an isoxazole derivative structurally and functionally unrelated to other known immunomodulatory drugs. The main molecular target of leflunomide is dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH), a key enzyme of de novo pyrimidine synthesis. The human DHODH gene sequence is highly conserved and contains only one common missense polymorphism in the coding regions.

677C>T and 1298A>C MTHFR polymorphisms affect methotrexate treatment outcome in rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction: Methotrexate (MTX), widely used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inhibits dihydrofolate reductase and folate-dependent enzymes. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is involved in folate metabolism and has been shown to be polymorphic, affecting the enzyme activity.

Methods: To examine the association between 677C>T and 1298A>C MTHFR polymorphisms and MTX efficacy in the treatment of RA, a total of 174 RA patients, treated with MTX plus methylprednisone 4 mg and folic acid 5 mg were analyzed.

NOD2 allele variants in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Recent reports have proven the importance of genetic factors and inflammation in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the current study, the frequency of NOD2/CARD15 gene variants (R702W, G908R, and L1007fsinsC) was examined in a group of 243 RA patients and 220 healthy controls. There were no statistically significant differences in distribution of NOD2 variant alleles between RA patients and controls.

The effect of 3435C>T MDR1 gene polymorphism on rheumatoid arthritis treatment with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a multifactorial disease, with immunological, genetical as well as environmental factors being implicated in its pathogenesis. Treatment of RA is based mainly on drugs modulating the course of the disease, e.g.

[The influence of IL-6 polymorphism on efficacy of treatment of rheumatoid arthritis patients with methotrexate and prednisone].

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease in which cytokines play an important role. The therapy of RA is associated with application of the drugs modulating the immune response via inhibiting the cytokine production. The common drugs used in RA therapy are methotrexate and prednisone.

Interleukin-10 promoter polymorphism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease in which interleukin (IL)-10 plays an important role. There are, however, controversial reports that IL-10 promoter polymorphism may be an independent marker of susceptibility and severity of RA. The aim of the present study was to examine the IL-10 promoter polymorphism in patients with RA.

The -590 IL-4 promoter polymorphism in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease in which cytokines play an important role. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the -590 IL-4 promoter polymorphism in patients with RA and its association with disease activity and severity. We enrolled 94 patients with RA diagnosed according to the criteria of the American College of Rheumatology.