Arthritis Society Canada announced its Top 10 Research Advances of 2025 today, highlighting discoveries that are advancing how arthritis is diagnosed, treated and prevented. Among them, the work of the UCAN CURE consortium was highlighted.
Earlier treatment, better outcomes for children with arthritis
For children with non-systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), starting biologic medication earlier can significantly improve treatment success, according to research led by Dr. Susanne Benseler at the University of Calgary, and Dr. Rae Yeung from The Hospital for Sick Children, as part of the UCAN CAN-DU and UCAN CURE consortia.
The study found that 83% of children who began biologics within 6 months of their initial symptoms achieved inactive disease, compared to 57% of those who waited 13 to 24 months. With each month of delay, the odds of still having active arthritis increased by a relative 9%.
These findings reveal a critical window of opportunity for early intervention and could help doctors make more informed decisions about when to initiate biologic therapy, improving the long-term outcomes for children with arthritis. This study marks a critical step towards a cure for childhood arthritis.
Read the full article here.