Gerd Burmester: enduring leader in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Having been Professor of Medicine at Berlin's Charité University Clinic for the past 23 years, Gerd Burmester is among the university's longest-standing full professors. He leads a 100-strong Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, and is as committed to research in the laboratory as to work in the clinic. His team is collectively researching how to reprogramme the human immune system, with an emphasis on the molecular pathways that underpin autoimmunity across many diseases, but especially in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). “To be a good researcher you have to be excited about the data that research throws up, relish great intellectual stimulation, and be prepared to have a lot of fun along the way”, he says. A platinum age for rheumatologyOn June 14–17, over 14 000 rheumatologists, health-care professionals, and patients will gather in Madrid, Spain, for the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Annual Congress. 2017 is a particularly special year for the organisation as EULAR celebrates its 70th anniversary. Since our inception, The Lancet has been pleased to have shared in the rich history of rheumatology research, including The “Rheumatic Disease” , coauthored by the founding President of EULAR, Mathius Pierre Weil, in 1928 and today's issue, which highlights recent and innovative developments in therapeutics and management strategies for rheumatic diseases. Full-Text PDF EULAR: Countries unite to fight rheumatic diseasesRetired grammar school teacher Dieter Wiek is neither a trained scientist nor a clinician, but his perspective as a patient helps set the research and treatment agenda for rheumatic diseases in Europe and beyond. Full-Text PDF Novel treatment strategies in rheumatoid arthritisNew treatment strategies have substantially changed the course of rheumatoid arthritis. Many patients can achieve remission if the disease is recognised early and is treated promptly and continuously; however, some individuals do not respond adequately to treatment. Rapid diagnosis and a treat-to-target approach with tight monitoring and control, can increase the likelihood of remission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In this Series paper, we describe new insights into the management of rheumatoid arthritis with targeted therapy approaches using classic and novel medications, and outline the potential effects of precision medicine in this challenging disease. Full-Text PDF