Here, we use qRT-PCR to measure inflammatory gene expression in whole blood obtained at a single time point from RA patients with either active (“unstable”) or stable disease on DMARD therapy, and patients with stable disease on combination therapy with a DMARD and anti-TNF-α agent (“combination”), and compared the changes in inflammatory gene expression in these groups to levels in whole blood obtained from healthy controls. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.