Publications
Filgotinib in rheumatoid arthritis KU Leuven
INTRODUCTION: Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) remains a challenge for rheumatologists and patients despite implementation of intensive treat-to-target strategies in shared decision with patients and an increasing availability of drugs. Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) are a new generation of oral targeted drugs. Filgotinib preferentially inhibits JAK1 and is the latest JAKi to be approved for use in RA. AREAS COVERED: This narrative review focuses on ...
Identification of new telomere- and telomerase-associated autoantigens in systemic sclerosis. KU Leuven
PURPOSE: In up to 20% of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) no known autoantibody specificity can be identified. Recently discovered autoantigens, such as telomeric repeat binding factor 1 (TERF1), as well as established autoantigens, like RuvBL1/2, are associated with telomere and telomerase biology. We aimed to identify new telomere- and telomerase-associated autoantigens in patients with SSc without known autoantibody specificity. ...
Novel method to quantify peptidylarginine deiminase activity shows distinct citrullination patterns in rheumatoid and juvenile idiopathic arthritis KU Leuven
INTRODUCTION: Peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) mediate citrullination, an irreversible posttranslational modification that converts arginine to citrulline residues in proteins. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by unique autoantibodies that recognize citrullinated peptides, which are highly specific for this disease. However, the mechanism preceding the anti-citrulline response remains largely unclear. PAD enzymes are known to fuel ...
The future of polymyalgia rheumatica research: What can we learn from rheumatoid arthritis? KU Leuven
Efficacy of synthetic and biological DMARDs: a systematic literature review informing the 2022 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis KU Leuven
OBJECTIVES: To update the evidence on efficacy of DMARDs (disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs) and inform the taskforce of the 2022 update of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) recommendations for management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: This systematic literature review (SLR) investigated the efficacy of conventional synthetic (cs), biological (b), biosimilar and targeted synthetic (ts)DMARDs in patients ...
Safety of synthetic and biological DMARDs: a systematic literature review informing the 2022 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis KU Leuven
OBJECTIVES: To perform a systematic literature review (SLR) concerning the safety of synthetic(s) and biological (b) disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to inform the 2022 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: SLR of observational studies comparing safety outcomes of any DMARD with another intervention in RA. A comparator group was required for inclusion. For treatments yet ...
Efficacy, duration of use and safety of glucocorticoids: a systematic literature review informing the 2022 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis KU Leuven
This systematic literature review (SLR) regarding the efficacy, duration of use and safety of glucocorticoids (GCs), was performed to inform the 2022 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Studies on GC efficacy were identified from a separate search on the efficacy of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). A combined search was performed for the duration of use and safety of GCs in RA ...
EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 2022 update KU Leuven
OBJECTIVES: To provide an update of the EULAR rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management recommendations addressing the most recent developments in the field. METHODS: An international task force was formed and solicited three systematic literature research activities on safety and efficacy of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and glucocorticoids (GCs). The new evidence was discussed in light of the last update from 2019. A predefined ...
Validation and predictive capacity of a Dutch version of the FLARE-RA questionnaire within the context of a TNFi-tapering trial KU Leuven
Flare Assessment in Rheumatoid Arthritis (FLARE-RA) is a self-administered tool aiming to capture current or recent flares in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to externally validate the FLARE-RA instrument and its existing cutoffs for flare detection within a bDMARD-tapering context in established RA. Data were analyzed from the Tapering Etanercept in Rheumatoid Arthritis (TapERA) trial, which studied the feasibility of tapering etanercept in ...