RA-DRUM Does individual dosing provide better treatment for more people?
Today, all patients with rheumatoid arthritis receive the same dose of biologic drugs. Now, researchers are investigating whether individually tailored doses will allow more people to benefit from the medications.
RA-DRUM, EU project at Diakonhjemmet Hospital
The hospital, known for its leading research environment in rheumatology, has just launched the RA-DRUM research project. It is a study in which several hospitals in Norway and Europe are participating, a so-called multicenter study. It is organized by REMEDY.
The study is part of the SQUEEZE project, which has received over 100 million kroner from Horizon Europe, the EU's research program.
– We are proud to be part of the SQUEEZE collaboration. It gives us a unique opportunity to further develop the treatment of arthritis and improve patients' quality of life, says Senior Consultant Silje Watterdal Syversen at REMEDY and Diakonhjemmet Hospital, project manager for the study.
Therapeutic drug monitoring
RA-DRUM is a clinical trial of the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, i.e. a study that includes patients. It is investigating how therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) can optimize the effect of biologic drugs. TDM involves measuring the level of the drug in the patient's blood and adjusting the dosage to ensure optimal serum concentration. This can improve treatment outcomes.
– Today we see great variation in how much drug is in the blood of different patients, which can affect the outcome of treatment. By keeping the level of the drug at the right level, we can prevent the immune system in the individual patient from destroying the effect of the drug, explains Ingrid Jyssum, who coordinates the study nationally and leads the study at Diakonhjemmet Hospital.
The first patient has now been included in the study, marking an important step forward for rheumatoid arthritis research.
– Getting our first patient on board is a milestone in this important project. We are completely dependent on patients wanting to participate in order for us to research better treatment for more people, emphasizes Jyssum.
Who can participate?
The study is open to patients over 18 years of age who have been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis) and are being treated with the biologic drug adalimumab. A total of 350 participants will be recruited for the study. Although recruitment of participants has not yet fully begun, it will soon be possible to register your interest in participating in this groundbreaking research.
“We want to include a broad spectrum of patients to obtain the most representative data possible. This will be crucial to being able to draw good conclusions about the effect of TDM,” explains Jyssum.
More information about RA-DRUM and the larger SQUEEZE project can be found by following the links.
Project management
Silje Watterdal Syversen, rheumatologist (PhD), is leading the study.
Ingrid Jyssum, a specialist physician (PhD), coordinates the study nationally and leads the study at Diakonhjemmet Hospital.
Camilla Skancke Mørstad is a research coordinator responsible for coordinating study operations and collaboration with the Norwegian and foreign study centers.
