Which medication is a gold compound used to treat rheumatoid arthritis?

Which medication is a gold compound used to treat rheumatoid arthritis?

• A. Auranofin
• B. Methotrexate
• C. Prednisone
• D. Etanercept

Answer: (A)

Gold compounds used for rheumatoid arthritis are older disease-modifying therapies that work by dampening immune-driven inflammation in the joints. Auranofin is a gold salt that accumulates in macrophages and other immune cells in the synovium, where it inhibits several inflammatory processes—such as lysosomal enzyme activity and antigen presentation—leading to a reduction in synovial inflammation and joint damage. This makes auranofin the gold compound among the options. Other drugs listed are not gold-based: methotrexate is a folate antagonist, prednisone is a corticosteroid, and etanercept is a biologic that blocks TNF. Gold therapy can be effective but has notable toxicity risks and is used less commonly today, though it remains a classic example of a gold compound in rheumatic disease.

Gold compounds used for rheumatoid arthritis are older disease-modifying therapies that work by dampening immune-driven inflammation in the joints. Auranofin is a gold salt that accumulates in macrophages and other immune cells in the synovium, where it inhibits several inflammatory processes—such as lysosomal enzyme activity and antigen presentation—leading to a reduction in synovial inflammation and joint damage. This makes auranofin the gold compound among the options. Other drugs listed are not gold-based: methotrexate is a folate antagonist, prednisone is a corticosteroid, and etanercept is a biologic that blocks TNF. Gold therapy can be effective but has notable toxicity risks and is used less commonly today, though it remains a classic example of a gold compound in rheumatic disease.