Stratified medicine in rheumatology

Stratified medicine approaches are based on the concept that different subgroups (often referred to as “endotypes” or “pathotypes) exist within a single disease entity. There is a substantial level of heterogeneity within individual Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases (RMDs) suggesting that stratified medicine approaches are not only feasible but will become an essential part of a more specific and better management of these diseases.

FOREUM instigated a call for research proposal to support projects in the following areas:

• Studies that support the definition of distinct molecular endotypes of RMDs differing in clinical presentation, disease course or outcome
• Development and validation of predictors of disease outcome (prognostic biomarkers)
• Development and validation of biomarkers that allow better prediction of response to anti-rheumatic drugs
• Innovative methodological approaches to the study of stratified medicine
• Applications demonstrating the value of genetic, biochemical and imaging biomarkers in a stratified medicine approach.

24 letters of intent were received, peer reviewed and thoroughly evaluated. As a result, two projects are being funded.

Stratified medincine in primary Sjögren's syndrome
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Molecular stratification in GCA
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