Tissue Research in Childhood Inflammatory Arthritis

We are building a collaborative network aimed at advancing research in synovial tissue-based studies. This initiative, named TRICIA, brings together various clinical centres across the UK equipped to conduct synovial tissue biopsies. We are partnering with leading academic institutions specialising in advanced tissue analytics, closely linked to clinical outcomes.

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Our objective is to integrate synovial tissue analytics into both multi-centre clinical trials and routine clinical practice. By doing so, we aim to maximise the benefits of ongoing precision medicine efforts, particularly in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Securing funding for synovial tissue research is crucial for us to achieve our long-term goals.

We plan to enhance the capabilities of paediatric rheumatology in the UK by establishing synovial biopsy programmes at new centres. This involves providing training in minimally invasive, ultrasound-guided biopsy techniques tailored for children and young individuals. Additionally, we will gather data on the acceptability, tolerability, and safety of paediatric synovial tissue biopsies.

Standardisation is key to our approach. We aim to establish standardised methods for capturing both clinical and biological data. Furthermore, we are setting up a dedicated tissue analysis pipeline with uniform procedures for synovial tissue collection, processing, and analysis.

To facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing, we will deposit and present our clinical and experimental data in a unified platform. This platform will include web-based tools for knowledge management, supporting tasks such as data mining, analysis, and hypothesis generation. Through these efforts, we aim to advance our understanding of JIA and improve outcomes for affected individuals.