Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the synovial joints, ultimately leading to a progressive and irreversible joint destruction. Early diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis reduce joint destruction, preserve function, and improve survival. Therefore, critical issues concerning the effect of therapy are to control symptoms and signs of the disease for prolonged periods, as well as the capacity to retard the damaging effect of inflammation on articular cartilage and bone. No single agent is completely effective in treating disease pathology and is devoid of side effects; consequently, a safe and effective treatment for RA remains elusive and additional therapies, with novel mechanisms of action, are therefore needed .
