Pursuing Precision Medicine in Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis, characterized by immune dysregulation and joint destruction, is managed through a stepwise algorithm that combines methotrexate with biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Despite considerable advances, the lack of reliable biomarkers for selecting the most effective medication, especially in Phase II and beyond, remains a significant obstacle. As a result, achieving early clinical remission in all patients continues to be challenging. Rheumatoid arthritis demonstrates considerable clinical and molecular diversity, influenced by both genetic predispositions and environmental factors. Recent scientific and technological advances have shed light on the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, facilitating the stratification of patients into distinct phenotypic subgroups and potentially optimizing the choice of targeted therapies. However, persistent challenges include the high costs and logistical demands of these methodologies, as well as the complexities of conducting large-scale clinical trials. This review highlights the intricate pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis and underscores the need to address the disease's heterogeneity through precision medicine. Moving forward, a deeper investigation into rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis, encompassing both genetic and environmental factors, is crucial. Pursuing precision medicine, grounded in accurate patient stratification, should be embraced as a “moonshot” objective in rheumatoid arthritis treatment, aiming to achieve transformative breakthroughs in management.