Method for the treatment of joint damage

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide new treatment options, particularly those that may target different aspects of the pathology of the disease and offer similar or better levels of clinical benefit.SOLUTION: Methods of treating joint damage in a subject eligible for treatment are provided involving administering an antagonist that binds to a B-cell surface marker, such as CD20 antibody, to the subject in an amount effective to slow progression of the joint damage as measured by radiography. Further provided are articles of manufacture useful for such methods. In a first aspect, the present invention concerns a method for treating joint damage in a subject comprising administering a CD20 antibody to the subject and giving the subject, at least about one month after the administration, a radiographic test that measures a reduction in the joint damage as compared to baseline prior to the administration, wherein the amount of CD20 antibody administered is effective amount in achieving a reduction in the joint damage.