New Research Shows Promise for Finding A Cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis

The American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation's
Within Our Reach Campaign Yields Significant Advances in Detecting, Treating
and Understanding RA

ATLANTA, Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time during its
unprecedented initiative to find a cure for rheumatoid arthritis, the American
College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation is releasing new
information acquired from research funded by the Within Our Reach: Finding a
Cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis campaign.
Doctors and scientists from across the nation are utilizing more than $12
million in grants awarded by the ACR REF to investigate critical issues
including early detection of RA, novel treatment pathways as well as improved
patient-provider interaction and patient care. While research is still
underway, the REF is encouraged by the progress made thus far and is pleased
to announce the new and promising knowledge which RA researchers will continue
to build upon as studies continue.
"The REF is committed to funding RA research that is not being done
elsewhere, and supporting scientists and doctors who are most prepared and
motivated to work on finding a cure," said Dr. Leslie J. Crofford, president
of the REF. "The quality and value of the studies in progress is evidence that
the Within Our Reach campaign to is critical and must continue."
Viewed as one of the most disabling types of arthritis, RA affects nearly
1.3 million Americans. But, because of rapidly advancing research into the
fundamentals of inflammation, the outlook for those suffering from RA has
improved dramatically over the past 25 years. Recent advances in treatment
have made it possible to stop, or at least slow the progression of joint
damage. Additionally, new therapies that target inflammation are being
developed.
Today the Within our Reach campaign is supporting 30 innovative research
studies and highlights of new information gained from select studies include
the following:
New Treatment Pathways
A study led by Dr. Gary S. Firestein at the University of California
School of Medicine, San Diego focuses on how the central nervous system
can control inflammation in RA. The group identified a new pathway that
allows the spinal cord and brain to decrease joint inflammation and joint
destruction. Now that this pathway is identified, new therapies can be
developed to utilize it and mimic the anti-inflammatory effects of the
central nervous system.

Early Detection of RA
Successful management of RA requires early medical intervention and a new
study led by Dr. Antony Rosen at the Johns Hopkins University School of
Medicine seeks to identify specific pathways that drive RA development and
generate tissue damage. Dr. Rosen and his team of researchers are working
to define new blood tests to help rheumatologists diagnose RA in its early
stages, which will improve their ability to predict which patients will
develop worse joint destruction, and potentially provide the tools to
monitor disease activity and prevent early RA from amplifying.

Health Literacy and Patient-Physician Interaction
Dr. Edward Yelin and Dr. Jennifer Barton of the University of California,
San Francisco are leading the most systematic attempt to understand the
role that patient-physician communication and health literacy play in
understanding disparities in RA treatment and healthcare outcomes for
different patient populations. This study compares standard measures of
disease activity such as degree of joint damage, with assessments of
socioeconomic status such as income, education level and employment
status, race/ethnicity of the patient and the language spoken at home to
explain disparities in care and treatment of RA.

About Within Our Reach: Finding a Cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis affects an estimated 1.3 million Americans, yet
funding to find new treatments and ultimately a cure remains significantly low
compared to other autoimmune diseases. To address the critical need for
additional funding and research support, the REF launched Within Our Reach in
November 2006.
Within Our Reach is the largest private fundraising campaign in the REF's
history. It will tap a diverse donor base, and raise $30 million to accelerate
the innovative research necessary to find a cure for RA. The campaign has
received tremendous support from the pharmaceutical industry, biotech
companies, physicians and patients, raising more than $18 million to date.
"The Within Our Reach campaign is designed to accelerate research to
better understand and ultimately find a cure for RA," said Dr. Crofford. "The
information gleaned from the research grants underway has provided solid
information for researchers to build upon as the campaign continues."
To learn more about rheumatoid arthritis and the campaign, please visit
www.WithinOurReach.info .
About ACR Research and Education Foundation
The ACR Research and Education Foundation was established in 1985 as a
501(c)(3) with a mission to improve patients' lives through support of
research and training that advances the prevention, treatment and cure of
rheumatic diseases. Since its founding, the REF has promoted and advanced the
field of rheumatology by funding research, training and education
opportunities for clinicians, students, health professionals, researchers and
academic institutions. On average, 90 cents of every dollar donated to the REF
is used to fund its extensive award and grant program.
Contact: Lucy McDonald
Brand Resources Group, Inc.
703-739-8343

SOURCE ACR Research and Education Foundation

Lucy McDonald of Brand Resources Group, Inc. for ACR Research and Education
Foundation, +1-703-739-8343