To assess the influence of immunosuppressive therapy on T cell-dependent monocyte TNF-α production, patients were stratified into two groups: one of patients who were receiving DMARD therapy at the time of the study (n = 14) and one of patients with recent-onset RA who had not received steroid or DMARD medication before study enrolment (n = 6). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.