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Author Spotlight: Evaluating Traditional Chinese Therapy for Ankylosing Spondylitis in Mice
Published on: October 27, 2023
Indirect comparison between subcutaneous biologic agents in ankylosing spondylitis
Alberto Migliore1, Emanuele Bizzi, Mauro Bernardi
1Department of Rheumatology, Rheumatology Unit, S.Pietro Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Via cassia 600, 00189, Rome, Italy.
This study compared subcutaneous anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) agents for ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Golimumab showed the highest probability for ASAS20 response at 12 weeks compared to placebo in biologic-naive patients.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) treatment involves four subcutaneous anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) agents.
- Previous studies show limited differences in effectiveness among these AS therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of subcutaneous anti-TNF-alpha agents in AS patients.
- To evaluate Assessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis Response Criteria 20 (ASAS20) response patterns.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-treatment comparison of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted.
- Five double-blind, placebo-controlled RCTs of etanercept, certolizumab pegol, golimumab, and adalimumab were analyzed.
- The primary endpoint was ASAS20 response at 12 weeks, analyzed using Bayesian techniques.
Main Results:
- All tested subcutaneous anti-TNF-alpha agents were more effective than placebo in achieving ASAS20 response.
- Golimumab demonstrated the highest probability of achieving ASAS20 response at 12 weeks.
- No statistically significant differences were found when directly comparing individual subcutaneous anti-TNF-alpha agents.
Conclusions:
- While no direct comparisons showed significant differences, golimumab may offer the highest probability for ASAS20 response in biologic-naive AS patients at 12 weeks.
- This analysis, based on limited RCT data, suggests golimumab as a potentially optimal choice over placebo.
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