Differential DNA methylation correlates with response to methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Identifying blood-based biomarkers that predict treatment response in RA is a clinical priority. We investigated differential DNA methylation as a candidate biomarker of response for the first-line drug used in RA, MTX.

Methods

DNA methylation was measured in DNA samples from individuals recruited to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Medication Study. Differentially methylated positions were compared between whole blood samples collected at baseline and at 4 weeks from patients who, by 6 months, had a good (n = 34) or poor response (n = 34) to MTX using linear modelling, adjusting for gender, age, cell composition, baseline 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) and smoking status. Analyses also compared methylation with changes in DAS28 and changes in swollen joint count

SUBMITTER: Nair N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7244777 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature