A team of researchers from Adelaide, Australia, and the United States has uncovered a surprising connection between a rare form of rheumatoid arthritis and genetic mutations commonly associated with blood cancers.
This discovery sheds new light on a condition called seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, which differs from the more common form of rheumatoid arthritis in both its symptoms and diagnosis.
Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis stands out because it lacks the typical blood markers that define standard rheumatoid arthritis and often doesn’t respond well to existing treatments.
Until now, the causes of this subtype have remained a mystery, and effective treatments have been elusive.
The study, published in the journal Blood by the American Society of Hematology, was a collaboration involving researchers from SAHMRI, the University of Adelaide, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Flinders University, and the Mayo Clinic in the U.S. Clinical hematologist Associate Professor Devendra Hiwase and Dr. Dan Thomas, head of SAHMRI’s Blood Cancer Program, led the research.
The researchers were surprised to find that many patients with seronegative arthritis also carried mutations in epigenetic genes such as IDH1 and IDH2. These mutations are often linked to bone marrow conditions like acute myeloid leukemia and other blood disorders.
Interestingly, the gene mutations were frequently detected before the patients developed arthritis, suggesting a potential role in triggering the disease.
Associate Professor Hiwase explained, “The mutations in IDH1 or IDH2 genes, which affect bone marrow function, seem to precede the onset of arthritis. This indicates that these genetic changes could be a factor in causing the condition.”
The researchers also observed that bone marrow disorders with these mutations appeared to trigger inflammation that closely resembled autoimmune diseases.
Another key finding was that patients with these mutations experienced a shorter time between their bone marrow disorder diagnosis and the onset of arthritis compared to patients without these mutations.
Additionally, metabolites produced by the mutations in blood cancers were found to be linked to the development of arthritis.
The discovery opens up new possibilities for treating seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.
According to Associate Professor Hiwase, “Metabolic therapies that are commonly used to treat blood cancers might also prove effective for this type of arthritis. This could represent a major shift in how we approach treatment for these patients.”
Dr. Dan Thomas highlighted the importance of this research in advancing our understanding of the connection between autoimmune diseases and blood cancers.
“This study showcases the power of combining advanced digital health records with modern scientific techniques like rapid mass spectrometry to uncover these links,” he said.
The findings suggest that drugs targeting these specific genetic mutations could one day serve as a treatment for seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, providing new hope for patients who currently have limited options.
If you’re interested in arthritis, consider exploring studies on natural remedies like extra virgin olive oil or pomegranate, which have been suggested as potential treatments for rheumatoid arthritis.
Other research also highlights options like medical cannabis for reducing arthritis pain and ways to manage arthritis for a pain-free life.
The full study is available in the journal Blood.
If you care about pain, please read studies about vitamin K deficiency linked to hip fractures in old people, and these vitamins could help reduce bone fracture risk.
For more information about wellness, please see recent studies that Krill oil could improve muscle health in older people, and eating yogurt linked to lower frailty in older people.
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