Abstract: The present invention concerns predictive mRNA biomarkers, which are used in combination with HLA-DRB4 for forecasting the treatment with MTX (methotrexate). The present invention further concerns a method for forecasting the treatment with MTX (methotrexate), comprising detection of the predictive mRNA biomarkers in combination with HLA-DRB4 in patient samples, whereby the patients are classified into responders or non-responders.

Abstract: The invention relates to an array comprising oligo- or poly-nucleotide probes, immobilized on a solid support. The array is characterized in that, sequences of a selection or all of the selective monocytic macrophagic genes given in Tables 1-6 are bonded on the surface. The array permits the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and other chronic inflammatory diseases, a corresponding analysis of the efficacy of treatment and the monitoring of side-effects with the anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy and thus permits the selection of the most effective therapy for each patient with rheumatoid arthritis. The invention further relates to a nucleic acid array for the prognosis and development of novel anti-TNF type medicaments and such medicaments with a mode of action in said regulatory circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to tools for the diagnosis, molecular definition and development of treatment of chronic inflammatory joint diseases and other inflammatory, infectious or tumourous diseases. According to the invention, genome data (genomics), proteome data (proteomics) and immunome data (immunomics) are used in the analysis and development of treatment of chronic joint diseases. The invention is based on the use of gene sequences and derived mRNAs and proteins, in addition to antibodies having a specific nature for the derived proteins, for characterising inflammatory and non-inflammatory rheumatic joint diseases, auto-immune diseases and infectious diseases. Etiologically significant pathogenicity principles of chronic inflammatory joint diseases which have been unclear until now can be derived from the examinations carried out.