PrismRA Testing in rheumatoid arthritis care: a genetic approach to personalize treatment
PrismRA testing considers genetic information alongside other patient data to guide the most effective treatment choices for rheumatoid arthritis. This approach was highlighted in coverage by MedicalXpress.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune condition where the immune system targets joint tissues, leading to persistent pain, stiffness, and swelling. Early treatment typically begins with medications designed to calm inflammation, with methotrexate often serving as a first-line option. When these initial therapies do not yield sufficient relief, physicians may switch to newer generation drugs. One commonly prescribed option is Humira (adalimumab), a biologic therapy that targets inflammatory pathways. However, a substantial portion of patients—around half—do not experience meaningful benefit, and the drug can come with considerable costs and potential side effects.
To identify which patients are most likely to benefit from Humira or its biosimilars, scientists at Scipher Medicine developed the PrismRA test. This diagnostic tool integrates a patient’s genetic data with other relevant biological markers, including particular blood test results, to forecast treatment response. In practice, PrismRA aims to shorten the trial-and-error process that often accompanies rheumatoid arthritis management, potentially sparing patients from ineffective therapies and unnecessary exposure to adverse effects.
Proponents suggest that PrismRA testing could help many patients quickly locate medicines that work for their specific biology, aligning treatment with individual genetic profiles. The promise of such precision approaches mirrors broader moves toward personalized medicine, where therapy choices are increasingly informed by an integrated view of a patient’s biology and clinical status. In oncology, similar precision strategies have become routine, with genetics-guided decisions shaping how doctors select treatments. The application of PrismRA in rheumatology reflects a growing trend toward tailoring care based on molecular and clinical signals—an approach that may improve outcomes and, in some cases, reduce costs for patients and health systems alike.
Earlier scientific work explored plant extracts aimed at normalizing vascular function, highlighting a longstanding interest in molecules and pathways that influence inflammation and cardiovascular health. While those studies are separate from PrismRA, they illustrate the broader scientific effort to understand how biological modifiers can alter disease processes and patient experiences with treatment.