RA – Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), the commonest autoimmune disease in humans, is characterized by inflammation of synovial membranes that leads to joint degeneration. RA is diagnosed primarily on clinical manifestations. Serological supporting evidence has long been limited to the determination of IgM anti-rheumatoid factor , a biomarker now considered non specific.
Several post-translational modifications of proteins have been associated with RA pathogenesis leading to the identification of differently modified autoantigens. Sensitive and specific diagnostic assays are based on the detection of anti-citrullinated peptide/protein antibodies (ACPA) in RA patients.
Toscana Biomarkers is involved in optimizing ELISA sensitivity, based on citrullinated peptides, in cooperation with the Clinical Immunology Unit of the University of Pisa (Italy).
A R&D agreement to develop innovative in vitro products for RA, based on novel proprietary peptides antigens, have been signed by Toscana Biomarkers and DIESSE Ricerche, a diagnostic company located in the bioincubator of TLS. Toscana Biomarkers possesses a portfolio of five patent applications to protect intellectual property.
