Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. Many patients require lifelong medication, as current therapies can control inflammation, but fail to fully eliminate the harmful B cells – preventing a true “reset” of the immune system. Prof. Dr. Dr. David Simon and his team are systematically investigating how different modern therapies targeting B cells and plasma cells compare in their effectiveness and which approaches could influence the immune system enough to enable long-term, drug-free remission. Through comprehensive analyses of blood, tissue, and immune cells, the team also aims to identify biological patterns that can predict which treatment is best suited to each individual patient.