Metalloproteinase 3

Medical News Today: "The protein marker, metalloproteinase 3, now identified as the first significant predictor of joint damage in ankylosing spondylitis, could change patient treatment approaches, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington, DC."

Update, 11/15: More on the protein marker from MedPage Today: the implication is that metalloproteinase 3 can predict just how severe the disease is going to be in an individual case, and indicate whether aggressive and expensive treatments (Enbrel, Humira, Remicade) are necessary, or not. Not all of us are facing the same level of severity, after all, but we can't predict how bad it's going to get at the outset.