SAT0218 Association of Matrix Metalloproteinase-3 Level with Clinical Efficacy of Subcutaneous Methotrexate in Dmard -Naive Patients with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis

ObjectivesTo evaluate a relationship between the level of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) with disease activity and clinical efficacy of subcutaneous methotrexate (SC-MTX) in early DMARD -naive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients (pts)MethodsSerum samples of 45 early RA DMARD-naive pts (35 females, median age 53.5; interquartile range 46-59.5 years, disease duration 7.0;4.0-11.5 months, DAS 28 5.8;4.9-6.4, RF positive-91%, anti-CCP positive-96%) were analyzed for the levels of MMP-3 before and after 12 and 24 weeks of treatment. In all pts SC-MTX monotherapy was started from 10 mg weekly and escalated to 20–25 mg weekly in the next 2-3 weeks. Pts were assessed every 12 weeks and if a remission was not achieved, biologic therapy was added. The duration of the study was 1 year. In the sera samples of 30 healthy donors MMP-3 levels were lower than 19.4 ng/ml (measured by ELISA)ResultsAfter 12 months 16 pts (35.6%), DAS 28 1.7;1.6-4.1, had received SC-MTX monotherapy. In 29 active RA pts (64.4%), DAS 28 3.1;1.9-4.3 biologic therapy was added (82% adalimumab, 13% abatacept, and 5% other agents).MMP-3 levels in RA pts were higher than in healthy donors: 46.7;15.5-64.5 – and 7.74; 5.5-11.8, respectively, p19.4)Normal MMP-3 (