ESTABLISHED AND EMERGING BIOMARKERS OF INFLAMMATION IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Background and Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by persistent inflammation, progressive joint damage, and systemic consequences contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. Although conventional biomarkers are fundamental for diagnosis and disease activity assessment, their prognostic accuracy remains limited. This review aimed to summarize current evidence on emerging inflammatory biomarkers in RA, with emphasis on their prognostic value and translational relevance for personalized disease management. Methods: A structured literature search was conducted in major scientific databases, covering English-language publications from 2014 to March 2025. Studies were selected according to predefined inclusion criteria to identify clinically relevant data on novel inflammatory biomarkers in RA. Results: Emerging biomarkers, including novel autoantibodies, 14-3-3η protein, calprotectin, selected cytokines, adipokines, circulating microRNAs, and hematological inflammatory indices, provide complementary insights into immune dysregulation and systemic inflammation. Several markers are associated with radiographic progression, extra-articular involvement, and treatment response. Multibiomarker disease activity scores represent an integrative approach linking molecular pathways with clinical assessment and risk stratification. Conclusions: Integration of conventional and emerging biomarkers may enhance prognostic precision and support precision medicine strategies in RA. However, robust prospective validation and cost-effectiveness analyses are required before routine clinical implementation.