Spondyloarthropathies
Abstract #2017: Treatment With Adalimumab Reduces Signs and Symptoms and Induces Partial Remission in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS): One-Year Results From ATLAS.
Authors: Van der Hiejde, et. al.
Purpose: Adalimumab is the third anti-TNF agent to be used in patients with active AS. This study was to determine its efficacy.
Methods: Patients with active AS were assigned to either Adalimumab (40 mg injection every other week) or placebo for 24 weeks. At that point, all patients were switched to open label Adalimumab for an additional 28 weeks. Outcomes included ASAS-20 and ASA partial remission criteria.
Results: By week 12, 58% of patients randomized to Adalimumab achieved ASA-20 response as compared to 20% of patients on placebo. ASAS-20 was 50% at 24 weeks and 46% at 52 weeks in treated patients. This value remained at or below 20% in placebo patients. Partial remission was achieved by 20% of treated patients at week 12 on therapy compared to 3.7% on placebo.
Comment: This study demonstrates that Adalimumab, the third TNF inhibitor now available, is efficacious in the treatment of the inflammation of patients with ankylosing spondylitis. While none of the TNF inhibitors have been compared directly in a head-to-head trial for AS, these results are comparable to those from previous trials with other TNF inhibitors, thus providing another option for the treatment of AS.