EULAR Synovitis Study Group Chairs : JE Fonseca & BR Lauwerys ESSG is an inclusive community of scientists and physician-scientists dedicated to high-quality research in the field of synovitis with the goal of implementing the systematic assessment of synovial tissue as a clinical tool. In this perspective, ESSG supported the following activities in 2016 : Collaborative research projects Prediction of response to TNF inhibitors in rheumatoid arthritis – PI : Patrick Durez Prospective multicentric study Is high expression of TNF-dependent transcripts in the synovium associated with poorer response to TNF blocking agents at 3 months ? R4-RA – PI : Costantino Pitzalis Prospective multicentric trial Synovial cellular and molecular signatures (B cells and B cell-associated signatures) and prediction of response to Rituximab Standardization Standardization of synovial tissue biopsy procedures PIs: Aurélie Najm, Douglas Veale The aim of this project is to deliver a consensus statement by participating ESSG members on biopsy sampling, biopsy processing and histological scoring procedures, using a Delphi method. The results of this Delphi survey will be included in an OMERACT proposal aiming at the identification of the relationship between immunopathology, specific therapeutic responses and disease outcome. Standardization of synovial tissue handling procedure PIs: Rogier Thurlings, Stefano Alivernini We currently perform a collaborative research project on the standardization of synovial tissue handling procedures. Our focus is the possibility to cryopreserve synovial tissue to retain cell viability. Dissemination ESSG position paper - state of the art review of synovial tissue research Nature Reviews Rheumatology Development of a web-based platform for data exchange Preparation of the first EULAR course on synovial biopsies