Timothy Niewold, MD
Mayo Clinic
Dr. Niewold’s study will determine if a blood test can be used to predict a patient’s response to anti-TNF-alpha drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. This blood test could help rheumatologists know whether a treatment is likely to work or not on a particular patient before prescribing that treatment. By having this knowledge in advance, patients like Christina wouldn’t have to go through months of trial-and-error only to learn that the treatment doesn’t work for her. This study will also shed light on why some patients do not respond to particular treatments, which brings us one step closer to a solution for those who have nearly exhausted all treatment options.