To analyze the course of remission in RA patients, after treatment with Infliximab, we investigated 8 patients with previously established RA who had gone into remission and discontinued infliximab. Infliximab was discontinued when a negative CRP level, below 2.6 points of DAS 28, was continuously obtained for more than 6 months. Of the eight cases, one case (Stage III) showed increased CRP levels 18 months after discontinuing infliximab. Another case (Stage II) underwent complete remission without need of further infliximab or MTX 12 months after discontinuing infliximab. The other cases showed negative CRP, negative RF, and negative MMP-3 levels for 7.9 months on average after discontinuing infliximab. The MMP-3 levels significantly decreased to within normal range compared with those before treatment. Therefore, in remission after infliximab for early RA, not only prevention of further bone destruction but also increase in CRP levels were observed.
