We therefore set out with the aim not to replicate the previously reported observation, but to (1) establish whether expression of CD11c is detectable in whole blood samples collected from RA patients about to commence treatment with a TNFi biologic drug and (2) correlate pre-treatment whole blood expression levels with response to TNFi biologic drugs both as a whole and sub-grouped by the drug received (both adalimumab and etanercept were tested). This evidence concerns the gene ITGAX and rheumatoid arthritis.