Author Archives: Iqra Mumal, MSc

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a label update to Novartis’ Cosentyx (secukinumab), doubling the previously recommended dose to 300 mg for adults with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). “This approval gives clinicians added flexibility to ensure patients are able to achieve the best…

Poor mental health, not having a full-time job, spending fewer years in school, and having comorbidities such as hypertension or diabetes all contribute to failure to respond to initial treatment with TNF-alpha inhibitors among people with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), according to a real-world study. The study, “Predicting…

People with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are almost three times more likely to develop obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) than healthy individuals, a population-based study in Taiwan shows. The risk is higher in middle-aged patients and those diagnosed more recently. The study, “Ankylosing Spondylitis Is Associated With Risk of…

People with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have an altered composition of microorganisms in their gut, leading to more bacteria that play a role in inflammation and AS progression, a new study reports. The study, “Metagenomic profiling of the pro-inflammatory gut microbiota in ankylosing spondylitis,” was published in the…

Qletli, a biosimilar to Humira (adalimumab), is now available in China for the treatment of three autoimmune diseases, including ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The medication is also approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and plaque psoriasis. With its approval by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA)…

Despite experiencing similar symptoms, people with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) are less likely to be treated with a biologic therapy than those with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), according to a survey in the U.S. The research was presented in a session, “Comparing Symptoms, Treatments Patterns, and Quality of…

The first ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patient has been dosed in a Phase 3 trial testing SCB-808, a potential biosimilar of Enbrel (etanercept) being developed for the treatment of rheumatic diseases in China. Biosimilars are biological medical products highly similar to a reference product. They are manufactured by…

Moxibustion, a form of heat therapy widely used in East Asia, given in combination with conventional treatments may be of benefit to people with ankylosing spondylitis, at least in the short-term, a study reported. Benefits, mostly patient reported after a four-week treatment, included better physical function and health-related quality of…

LINC00311, a type of long non-coding RNA molecule, is overexpressed in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and is associated with worse treatment outcomes and higher likelihood of disease recurrence, a new study shows. The study, “LINC00311 is overexpressed in ankylosing spondylitis and predict treatment outcomes and recurrence,” was published in…

Overall, patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are more likely to develop osteoporosis compared to the general population, a new study shows. However, the risk is particularly high for AS patients who are female, older than 65, and have abnormal fat levels in the blood (dyslipidemia). The study with those findings,…