Skip to main content
    1. See Rheumatology Disease Education

    • Understanding the Clinical Implications of High Rheumatoid Factor (RF) in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

    Contents

    Rheumatoid factor (RF) is an autoantibody that binds to the fragment crystallizable (Fc) region of IgG antibodies. RF is found in many patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is a commonly used biomarker of the disease.1 High RF in RA is associated with greater disease activity and increased risk of radiographic progression.2,3 Recent studies have shown that drug clearance and clinical response to some tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFis) may be affected by high RF.4,5 Therefore, RF serum levels should be considered when making clinical decisions in patients with RA.2

     

    Contents

    ANSWER Cohort Study

    A retrospective study using data from a Japanese registry (the ANSWER cohort) revealed that there was differential efficacy of TNFis based on the presence/absence of the Fc region.† Treatment with the Fc-free TNFi resulted in significantly lower Disease Activity Score 28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) scores in patients with high RF levels (>166 IU/mL) at 12 months vs patients treated with other Fc-containing TNFis.11

    ANSWER cohort study
    ANSWER cohort study

    †TNFis with Fc: adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, golimumab; TNFi without Fc: certolizumab.

    Certolizumab=certolizumab pegol; dDAS28-ESR=change in Disease Activity Score 28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate; Fc=fragment crystallizable; IU=international units; Q=quartile; RA=rheumatoid arthritis; RF=rheumatoid factor; TNFi=tumor necrosis factor inhibitor.

    Figures adapted from Nakayama Y, et al. Differential efficacy of TNF inhibitors with or without the immunoglobulin fragment crystallizable (Fc) portion in rheumatoid arthritis: The ANSWER cohort study. Rheumatol Int. 2022; Jul;42(7):1227-1234. Used with permission from Sprinter Nature

     

    Watch Video: Clinical Relevance of High Rheumatoid Factor in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

    Watch Josef Smolen, professor of Internal Medicine and Chairman of the Division of Rheumatology at the Medical University of Vienna, discuss new data about RF and how it may be a biomarker that allows better understanding of which patients will respond better to a particular therapy.

    Chapters

    Name
    Welcome, Introduction, Disclosures, Agenda
    Chapter Time
    00:00:00
    Chapter Seconds
    0
    Name
    What is Rheumatoid Factor (RF)?
    Chapter Time
    00:01:00
    Chapter Seconds
    60
    Name
    Unmet Need in RA Patients with High RF
    Chapter Time
    00:04:42
    Chapter Seconds
    282
    Name
    Latest Data: Clinical Outcomes in RA Patients with High RF Treatment with TNFis
    Chapter Time
    00:09:43
    Chapter Seconds
    583
    Name
    Latest Insights: Understanding How Different TNFis May Impact Outcomes in Patients
    Chapter Time
    00:13:16
    Chapter Seconds
    796
    Name
    CIMZIA Important Safety Information
    Chapter Time
    00:15:23
    Chapter Seconds
    923
    Name
    Summary, Acknowledgements, and Questions
    Chapter Time
    00:15:38
    Chapter Seconds
    938