New ways to stop rheumatoid arthritis damage and relieve pain
Official title: Establishing novel therapeutic strategies to target RA pannus formation
Funded at Jesse Brown VA Medical Center · NIH-11532026 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are testing novel targets to prevent the problematic tissue growth in rheumatoid arthritis so people, including veterans, can move more freely and feel better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Jesse Brown VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2027 |
| NIH project number | 5I01CX002565-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11532026 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with rheumatoid arthritis, especially veterans, who have not achieved adequate control with current therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose RA is well-controlled with existing treatments or who do not meet study criteria may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to identify new ways to interrupt the harmful processes that lead to pannus formation in RA, with a focus on mechanisms that connect inflammatory cells to joint blood vessels. The work combines science on immune cells, metabolism, and joint tissue to find broader, possibly lasting benefits beyond current medications. If successful, these findings could point toward therapies that help patients who don’t respond to existing treatments. The study is conducted at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center under the leadership of Dr. Shiva Shahrara and aims to translate lab discoveries into strategies that could reduce pain and improve daily functioning for veterans with RA.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatment options that reduce joint damage and improve quality of life for people with rheumatoid arthritis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in RA has shown that targeting immune and vascular interactions can reduce joint damage, suggesting potential for meaningful impact with new approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shahrara, Shiva — Jesse Brown VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Shahrara, Shiva
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.