Relationship between serum RANTES levels and radiological progression in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with methotrexate

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between se rum chemokines and the clinical and radiological response to a one-year cou rse of methotrexate (MTX) in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis ( RA). Methods Twenty out-patients suffering from active RA entered a one-year ope n prospective study on the effects of low dose MTX therapy. Plain radiograp hs of the hands and feet were taken at study Entry and at the end of the fo llow-up, and were compared for the number of eroded joints. Serum levels of both C-X-C and C-C chemokines were obtained before the initation of MTX an d after 6 and 12 months of treatment. Results The levels of serum RANTES before treatment were significantly high er in HA patients than in the controls and returned to normal levels after one year of treatment. Serum levels of the other chemokines were either in the normal range or undetectable. Twelve patients (60%) did not show any ne w eroded joints at the end of the follow-up period and were considered as r adiological responders (RR). Serum levels of GRO-alpha and RANTES after 6 m onths of treatment were significantly higher among the patients with radiol ogical progression, than in RR patients. Conclusions We observed high levels of serum MANTES in a series of RA patie nts during the active stage of the disease. MTX treatment significantly low ered the serum levels of RANTES, GRO-alpha and MCP-1. High levels of serum RANTES or GRO-a after 6 months of MTX treatment seem to be predictive of ra diological erosions after one year.