Taking advances from bench to bedside during the last decade

Abstract

The remarkable advances in understanding the pathogenesis and therapeutic options for rheumatoid arthritis over the last 10 years are a leap forward in the treatment of this disease. This has led to a shift in focus from established disease to early identification and treatment. Actualisation of treatment guidelines aiming for remission, and a vastly growing arsenal of new synthetic and biological agents have been major achievements. An area of ongoing research is the discovery and development of additional and improved biomarkers for (early) disease with the goal of designing a more personalised treatment regimen to prevent structural tissue damage. Developing valid tools to predict response and outcome for the individual patient remains, however, a great challenge. We will herein summarise some of the major achievements in diagnostic and therapeutic discoveries in rheumatoid arthritis of the past decade.