Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39749397›Full record

ArticleFundamental & clinical pharmacology2025

Long-term evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis activity with erythrocyte methotrexate-polyglutamate 3.

Jean Escal, Marion Poudret, Sophie Hodin, Tiphany Neel, Irina Coman, Hervé Locrelle, Adamah Amouzougan, Thierry Thomas, Xavier Delavenne, Hubert Marotte

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Fundamental & clinical pharmacology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Jean EscalCHU Saint-Etienne, Laboratoire de Pharmacologie et Toxicologie, Mines Saint-Etienne, INSERM, SAINBIOSE U1059, Université Jean Monnet Saint-Étienne, Saint-Etienne, France.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7348-418X
Marion PoudretCHU Saint-Étienne, Service de Rhumatologie, Saint-Etienne, France.
Sophie HodinMines Saint-Etienne, INSERM, SAINBIOSE U1059, Université Jean Monnet Saint-Étienne, Saint-Etienne, France.
Tiphany NeelCHU Saint-Étienne, Service de Rhumatologie, Saint-Etienne, France.
Irina ComanCHU Saint-Étienne, Service de Rhumatologie, Saint-Etienne, France.
Hervé LocrelleCHU Saint-Étienne, Service de Rhumatologie, Saint-Etienne, France.
Adamah AmouzouganCHU Saint-Étienne, Service de Rhumatologie, Saint-Etienne, France.
Thierry ThomasCHU Saint-Étienne, Service de Rhumatologie, Mines Saint-Etienne, INSERM, SAINBIOSE U1059, Université Jean Monnet Saint-Étienne, Saint-Etienne, France.
Xavier DelavenneCHU Saint-Etienne, Laboratoire de Pharmacologie et Toxicologie, Mines Saint-Etienne, INSERM, SAINBIOSE U1059, Université Jean Monnet Saint-Étienne, Saint-Etienne, France.
Hubert MarotteCHU Saint-Étienne, Service de Rhumatologie, Mines Saint-Etienne, INSERM, SAINBIOSE U1059, Université Jean Monnet Saint-Étienne, Saint-Etienne, France.

Funding

Nordic PharmaNordic Pharma Group
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMethotrexate (MTX) is the first-line treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), yet 30%-50% of RA patients develop resistance to MTX, which can manifest several years after treatment initiation.

objectiveThis study investigates the relationship between erythrocyte methotrexate polyglutamates (MTX-PGs) subtype concentrations and clinical disease activity in RA patients undergoing long-term MTX treatment.

methodsIn this cross-sectional study, patients on a stable dose of subcutaneous MTX for several years were included. The study protocol was registered in the European Medicines Agency's clinical trials register (n°2017-004348-39). Patients were classified as either in clinical remission (DAS28 <2.6) or having active disease (DAS28 >3.2). Erythrocyte MTX-PGs concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Multivariate logistic regression analysis assessed the probability of remission status based on MTX-PG3 concentrations.

resultsThe study included 34 patients with active RA and 25 in remission. The remission group had a median MTX treatment duration of 6.4 years compared to 2.6 years for the active group (p = 0.001). Patients in remission had a longer median disease duration (p = 0.02) and a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) (p = 0.03) than those with active RA. A positive correlation was found between remission status and high MTX-PG3 concentrations in patients with a BMI <25 kg/m

conclusionErythrocyte MTX-PG3 concentrations may serve as a marker for RA activity after prolonged treatment. However, BMI could limit their utility as a biomarker.

Indexed as

Antirheumatic AgentsArthritis, RheumatoidErythrocytesMethotrexatePolyglutamic AcidAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRemission InductionTreatment OutcomeAntirheumatic AgentsMethotrexatemethotrexate polyglutamatePolyglutamic Acidbiomarkerliquid chromatography‐mass spectrometrymethotrexate‐polyglutamatemethotrexate resistancerheumatoid arthritis

Identifiers

PMID39749397
PMCPMC11696208

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.