Focus on: The future of therapy for rheumatoid arthritis from Nature Reviews Rheumatology

The number one review journal in the field of rheumatology   (previously Nature Clinical Practice Rheumatology) 2008 Impact Factor 5.677* | 3/22 in Rheumatology Editor-in-Chief: Peter E Lipsky, MD   Focus on: The future of therapy for rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common multisystem inflammatory autoimmune disease, affecting approximately 1% of the global population. RA is characterized by symmetrical polyarthritis, which is caused by chronic inflammation in the synovial membranes leading to cartilage and joint destruction. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are key if the damage caused by this disease is to be controlled. Our increasing understanding of the pathogenesis of RA has transformed the therapeutic options available for people with this disease. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors–the first biologically-based immunotherapies ('biologics') for RA–were approved over a decade ago, altering the lives of some patients; however, there are still unmet needs. Some patients do not respond to these agents, while others respond but only partially; there are also issues relating to tolerability, safety, loss of efficacy and cost. In this context, research has focused on alternative cellular and molecular targets for RA therapeutics, and is leading to the emergence of next-generation biologics. This Focus issue on the future of therapy for RA contains a specially commissioned lead Review on the current state-of-the-art therapeutic approaches for RA and a series of shorter Review articles that introduce some new molecules and cells identified by the leaders in this field as the next promising targets for RA. The free articles in this Focus are available free until 31st December 2009. An NPG library of relevant Reviews, Perspectives, Research Papers, Research Highlights, News pieces and commentaries is also provided. EDITORIAL Are new agents needed to treat RA? Peter E. Lipsky doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2009.197 Nature Reviews Rheumatology 5, 521 (2009) REVIEWS Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: state of the art 2009 Ronald F. van Vollenhoven doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2009.182 Nature Reviews Rheumatology 5, 531 (2009) Promising bone-related therapeutic targets for rheumatoid arthritis Yongwon Choi, Joseph R. Arron & Michael J. Townsend doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2009.175 Nature Reviews Rheumatology 5, 543 (2009) IL-17 as a future therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis Wim B. van den Berg & Pierre Miossec doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2009.179 Nature Reviews Rheumatology 5, 549 (2009) G-CSF and GM-CSF as therapeutic targets in rheumatoid arthritis Ann L. Cornish, Ian K. Campbell, Brent S. McKenzie, Simon Chatfield & Ian P. Wicks doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2009.178 Nature Reviews Rheumatology 5, 554 (2009) Regulatory T cells as therapeutic targets in rheumatoid arthritis Jonathan H. Esensten, David Wofsy & Jeffrey A. Bluestone doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2009.183 Nature Reviews Rheumatology 5, 560 (2009) Dendritic cells as targets for therapy for rheumatoid arthritis Shaukat Khan, Jeffrey Greenberg & Nina Bhardwaj doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2009.185 Nature Reviews Rheumatology 5, 566 (2009) CD19: a promising B cell target for rheumatoid arthritis Thomas F. Tedder doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2009.184 Nature Reviews Rheumatology 5, 572 (2009) Anti-TNF biologic agents: still the therapy of choice for rheumatoid arthritis Marc Feldmann & Peter C. Taylor doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2009.181 Nature Reviews Rheumatology 5, 578 (2009) Rejuvenating the immune system in rheumatoid arthritis Cornelia M. Weyand, Hiroshi Fujii, Lan Shao, Jörg J. Goronzy doi:10.1038/nrrheum.2009.180 Nature Reviews Rheumatology 5, 583 (2009)                 As a registered user of Nature Publishing Group's Web sites, our database indicates that you have opted-in to receive product information and special offers. If you no longer wish to receive these e-mails or to discontinue all e-mail services from Nature Publishing Group please update your online account. Modify My Account (You will need to log in to be recognised as a Nature.com registrant) For further technical assistance, please contact our registration department For print subscription enquiries, please contact our subscriptions department For other enquiries, please contact our customer feedback department Nature Publishing Group | 75 Varick St Fl 9 | New York | NY 10013-1917 | USA Nature Publishing Group's offices: Principal offices: London • New York Worldwide offices: Basingstoke • Boston • Buenos Aires • Delhi • Hong Kong • Madrid • Melbourne • Munich • Paris • San Francisco • Tokyo • Washington DC Macmillan Publishers Limited is a company incorporated in England and Wales under company number 785998 and whose registered office is located at Brunel Road, Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS. © 2009 Nature Publishing Group, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited.  All rights reserved