To our knowledge, however, the present study is the first to show eradication of ACPA-IgG autoantibodies in refractory, persistent RA (disease duration 7 years) that simultaneously resulted in complete remission (lowest DAS44 score 0.89), with discontinuation of antirheumatic treatment for more than 1.5 years. The gene discussed is PRTN3; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.