When exploring the relation between a strong biomarker response and early DAS remission (hypothesis 3), we found that early DAS remission tended to be associated with a stronger median decline in MMP-1, MMP-3, SAA, and CRP in ACPA-negative RA patients achieving SDFR (Figs. 4 and 5, S9). This evidence concerns the gene MMP1 and rheumatoid arthritis.