Synovial Tissue as a Biomarker in the Management of Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a rare joint disease caused by the proliferation of synovial tissue, leading to significant pain and joint destruction. It typically begins between the ages of 30 and 50 and significantly affects patients' functionality. The proliferation is due to somatic mutations in some fibroblastic cells within the tissue, which triggers a massive recruitment of inflammatory cells. The condition is considered a benign tumor of the synovial membrane with a major inflammatory component. Diagnosing PVNS requires synovial tissue analysis, obtained either through surgical excision or guided needle biopsy. This biopsy technique, done as an outpatient procedure, is well tolerated and helps confirm the diagnosis before treatment. Our goal is to better understand this disease and determine if the analysis of synovial tissue could serve as a useful biomarker for patient management in the context of personalized medicine.