Novel Therapeutic Strategies in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Dear Colleagues,

Rheumatoid arthritis remains a major clinical challenge due to its heterogeneous presentation, variable treatment response, and risk of long-term functional impairment—although conventional, biologic, and targeted DMARDs may have transformed disease management, many patients continue to experience suboptimal control, adverse effects, or progression despite therapy. Research is currenly focused on refining treatment precision by targeting distinct immunologic, cellular, and stromal pathways, and by integrating biomarkers that better predict therapeutic outcomes.

Promising candidates in this sense include granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor inhibitors, plasma cell-directed therapies, TYK2 and selective JAK pathway modulators, and agents interfering with co-stimulatory signaling. Additional approaches such as BTK inhibitors, FcRn blockers, and complement-targeted molecules are also being explored. Consequently, this Special Issue aims to highlight advances in emerging biologics, targeted synthetic agents, and innovative approaches that modulate key inflammatory and tissue-destructive mechanisms in RA, and we welcome contributions from all clinical areas, including studies on novel pathways, real-world effectiveness, biomarker-based stratification, and strategies for managing difficult-to-treat disease.

By bringing together high-quality original research and reviews, this Special Issue seeks to accelerate progress toward more individualized, durable, and mechanism-based therapies for RA. We warmly encourage researchers and clinicians to contribute their latest insights to advance the future of RA care.

Prof. Dr. Mislav Radić
Guest Editor

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