Canadian researchers said on Thursday they have identified a gene that can predict the severity of rheumatoid arthritis, a discovery that could lead to earlier treatment and possibly a cure for the debilitating joint disorder.
The research, funded in part by Canada's Arthritis Society Research Center, focused on the IFN gamma gene, which is important in controlling the body's immune system.
Researchers said that the severity of a person's rheumatoid arthritis depends on differences found in the IFN gamma gene.
"We believe the gene identified operates by controlling the degree of joint inflammation. It is the most powerful indicator currently recognized for predicting the severity of rheumatoid arthritis," said Dr. Abbas Khani-Hanjani of the Immunology Laboratory at Vancouver General Hospital in a statement.
The study, the results of which were leaked to the National Post Wednesday, will be published in the September 2 issue of The Lancet medical journal.
The Arthritis Society said the discovery will enable doctors to refine their treatment efforts at an early stage when symptoms are still mild, preventing the destruction of cartilage, bone, tendons, and ligaments, which can lead to severe deformity and debilitating pain.
"It offers the possibility of identifying early which patients are likely to get severe disease and of selecting appropriate treatment before joint damage has occurred," said the Arthritis Society's lead researcher on the study, Dr. Diane Lacaille.
Dr. John Esdaile, scientific director at the Arthritis Research Center, said the discovery could lead to a cure for the disease that afflicts more than 300,000 Canadians.
"The discovery of the gene helps us better understand the cause of rheumatoid arthritis and could lead to new treatment options and even a possible cure," said Esdaile.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disorder of the immune system, which causes it to attack the lining of joints, resulting in painful inflammation and joint damage, said the researchers in a statement.
Dr. Edward Keystone, director of advanced therapeutics in arthritis at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto, told the National Post that a genetic test predicting the disorder's severity would help in formulating treatment at an early stage.
"So if I knew that a patient has a good prognosis, I'm not going to use a toxic medication. I'm not going to use some of the new biologics that cost between $10,000 and $17,000 (Canadian) a year," said Keystone to National Post.