1. 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