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Infliximab: in ankylosing spondylitis.
Dean M Robinson1, Gillian M Keating
1Adis International Limited, Auckland, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz
Drugs
|May 27, 2005
Summary
Infliximab effectively treats ankylosing spondylitis by blocking tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Clinical trials show significant improvements in patient response and reduced spinal inflammation with infliximab therapy.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory condition.
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) plays a key role in its pathogenesis.
- Current treatments aim to manage inflammation and disease progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of infliximab in patients with active ankylosing spondylitis.
- To assess the impact of infliximab on clinical symptoms and spinal inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Placebo-controlled trials of 12 or 24 weeks' duration.
- Infliximab 5 mg/kg administered to active ankylosing spondylitis patients.
- Assessment using Ankylosing Spondylitis Assessment Study 20% and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index 50% criteria.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) used to evaluate spinal inflammation.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher response rates in infliximab group (61.2% vs 19.2% ASAS20; 53% vs 9% BASDAI50).
- Infliximab demonstrated superiority over placebo in secondary clinical endpoints.
- Reduced spinal inflammation observed via MRI in infliximab recipients.
- Prolonged efficacy observed up to 3 years.
- Generally well-tolerated with mild-to-moderate adverse events.
Conclusions:
- Infliximab is an effective treatment for active ankylosing spondylitis.
- It provides sustained clinical benefit and reduces spinal inflammation.
- The drug is generally well-tolerated in this patient population.