Rheumatoid factor, but not anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies, is modulated by infliximab treatment in rheumatoid arthritis

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Abstract
Objectives: To analyse the effect of infliximab on IgM rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibodies, and determine whether baseline autoantibody titres (IgM RF and anti-CCP antibodies) are associated with changes in acute phase reactants. Patients and methods: 62 patients with refractory RA were treated with infliximab combined with methotrexate. At baseline and week 30, serum samples were tested for IgM RF by two agglutination assays, and for anti-CCP antibodies by an ELISA. Percentage change in C reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was calculated. Results: At baseline and week 30 RF titres were reduced significantly during infliximab treatment (pConclusion: The differential effect of infliximab treatment on IgM RF and anti-CCP antibodies, and the different predictive value on changes in acute phase reactants during infliximab treatment support the existing evidence that RF and anti-CCP antibodies are independent autoantibody systems in RA.

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