Stand UP to Rheumatoid Arthritis (SUPRA)
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a condition that causes pain and swelling in the joints, often affecting younger women. While there are many effective treatments, doctors don't currently know which one will work best for each individual patient. This study, called SUPRA, wants to change that. Researchers are trying to find ways to match the right medicine to the right person at the right time. This personalised approach aims to avoid patients having to try many different treatments over months or even years before finding one that truly helps. By understanding more about RA and how different medications work, the study hopes to improve the lives of people living with this challenging condition.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a long-term condition where your body's immune system mistakenly attacks your joints, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness. It can be quite disabling and often affects women more than men, typically starting between the ages of 30 and 50. While there are many good treatments available, it's often a bit of a guesswork process for doctors to find the perfect match for each patient.
Currently, patients often have to try different medications one after another until they find one that works well for them. This 'trial and error' approach can take a long time – sometimes months or even years – during which they might still be experiencing significant pain and discomfort. This study, called Stand UP to Rheumatoid Arthritis (SUPRA), aims to make this process much quicker and more effective.
The main goal of the SUPRA study is to figure out which specific treatment will be most effective for a particular person with RA. This is known as 'personalised medicine'. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, researchers want to use new information to help doctors choose the best medication right from the start. This could mean less suffering for patients and a faster path to feeling better and having their RA under control.
Key takeaways
- The study aims to find the *right* RA treatment for the *right* patient.
- It focuses on advanced RA medications already available.
- The goal is to stop the 'trial and error' approach to RA treatment.
- It affects people with RA who haven't responded to previous treatments.
- Your participation could help many future RA patients.
Who may be eligible?
To take part in this study, you generally need to be an adult, aged 18 or older. You must have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis based on specific medical criteria from 2010. Importantly, you would need to have tried standard RA medications that haven't worked well enough for you and your doctors are now considering stronger treatments.
There are a couple of groups within the study. One group is for people who haven't responded to the usual first-line RA drugs and are now being considered for a new type of advanced treatment. Another group is for those who have already tried one type of advanced treatment (called a TNF inhibitor) and it didn't work, so they're looking for a different advanced treatment.
Some reasons why you might not be able to join include having had certain advanced RA medications before (depending on which group you're in), having a current serious infection, cancer, or other severe health problems. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have another serious inflammatory condition that requires different treatment, you also wouldn't be able to participate.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you 18 years old or older?
- Have you been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis?
- Have standard RA medications not worked well enough for you?
- Are your doctors considering advanced treatments for your RA?
- Do you *not* have a current serious infection, cancer, or other major health issues that would prevent you from taking part?
What does participation involve?
The detailed information about what taking part involves hasn't been provided in the summary. Typically, clinical trials like this involve regular visits to a clinic or hospital for check-ups, assessments, and possibly blood tests or other scans. You would be given specific medication as part of the study. There would be a fixed schedule of follow-up appointments over a certain period to monitor your health and how the treatment is working. The total duration of participation usually varies depending on the specific study, but it could range from several months to a couple of years.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General HospitalVerified postcodeMontreal, Canada· Recruiting
Common questions
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)?
RA is a long-term condition where your body's immune system attacks its own joints, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.
What is 'personalised medicine'?
It's about finding the best specific treatment for an individual person, rather than a general treatment for everyone with the same condition.
Will I get a new drug if I join?
The study aims to use existing advanced RA treatments (TNFi, Anti-IL6, JAKi) to find which works best for different patients, rather than testing a completely new drug.
How old do I need to be to join?
You need to be 18 years old or older to be considered for this study.
What if the treatment doesn't work for me?
The study doctors will monitor you closely, and your usual medical team will ensure you continue to receive appropriate care.
How to find out more
Marie Hudson, MD
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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