DNA hypo-methylation of the TNFA gene predicts response to MTX in RA but not in PsA
Authors' conclusion
The TNF qMSP assay has potential clinical utility as a biomarker for predicting MTX-induced remission specifically in early RA, but not in PsA.
Study context
- Population
- Early untreated RA and PsA starting MTX, with healthy controls
- Participants
- 201 / 77 / 39
- Comparison
- TNFA DNA-methylation levels (qMSP) in early untreated RA and PsA vs healthy controls; prediction of MTX-induced remission
- RAn = 201
- PsAn = 77
- Healthy controlsn = 39reference
- Outcome
- Predictive value of pre-treatment TNFA DNA-methylation levels for MTX-induced remission
- Follow-up
- 6 months
Methodological detailsprospective inception cohort, binary logistic regression, AUC analysis
- Prospective inception cohort
- Binary logistic regression
- AUC analysis
Performance
As reported in the abstract
MTX-induced remission predicted by TNFA DNA-methylation levels
| Test or model | AUC (methylation) | AUC (methylation + clinical data) | AUC (clinical data only) |
|---|---|---|---|
| RA | 0.721 | 0.760 | 0.699 |
RA
AUC (methylation)0.721
AUC (methylation + clinical data)0.760
AUC (clinical data only)0.699
Further findings
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| Pre-treatment TNFA DNA-methylation levels vs controlsRA vs Healthy controls · reduced in RA | P = 1.8 × 10-13 |
| Pre-treatment TNFA DNA-methylation levels vs controlsPsA vs Healthy controls · reduced in PsA | P = 0.007 |
Change in TNFA DNA-methylation over time in RA
- Levels of methylation reduced over time, irrespective of response to MTX in RA
Original publication
DNA hypo-methylation of the TNFA gene predicts response to MTX in RA but not in PsA. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 28 August 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →