A Randomised, open labelled study in anti-TNFa inadequate responders to investigate the mechanisms for Response - Resistance to Rituximab versus Tocilizumab in RA (R4-RA)

The main aim of this project is to test the hypothesis that the presence or absence of specific synovial cellular and molecular signatures(B cells and B cell-associated signatures), assessed following a synovial tissue biopsy, will enrich for response / non-response to the B cell depleting anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) Rituximab. The primary aim of this project is to show that in patients failing anti-TNF therapy, with a B cell poor synovial pathotype, Rituximab is inferior to Tocilizumab therapy.