• The incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and deaths from cardiovascular causes is higher in patients with rheumatoid arthritis than the general population. The clinical management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis is tailored to alleviating symptoms, disease modification and functional improvement.
  • CVD is unaffected or only reduced slightly by the drugs used conventionally to treat rheumatoid arthritis in the clinic. The prevention or treatments of CVD associated with rheumatoid arthritis is a critical unmet clinical need. This studentship builds upon our proof of concept data; it will provide evidence from basic science research and from disease-relevant human tissues to underpin our case clinical translation.
  • Our working hypothesis: Pharmacological inhibition of Galectins will protect tissues of the heart and aorta from damage and loss of function caused by inflammatory arthritis.