New Protein to Measure Activity of Disease in AS

With chronic forms of arthritis like AS, doctors have had great difficulties in being certain whether changes in symptoms reflected changes in the underlying disease. There are also difficulties in developing new tests which might help to guide the timing of treatment more accurately. Through looking at which genes are expressed with the disease is active, SPARCC discovered a protein in the blood called LIGHT that closely parallels disease activity. Dr Inman comments: “This is the kind of study which can directly impact patient care. This is a powerful new tool which will greatly assist physicians to determine how, and when to alter the treatment of patients.”