Author Archives: Marisa Wexler MS

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a generic version of Pfizer‘s Celebrex (celecoxib), an oral medication used to treat inflammation and pain caused by ankylosing spondylitis and other disorders. The new generic is made by the India-based company Unichem Laboratories, which announced the approval…

Among people with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) — a type of arthritis that mainly affects the joints of the spine — women tend to have more severe disease than men do, as well as a poorer response to treatment, a Swiss study indicates. This finding may have implications…

Treatment with Cimzia (certolizumab pegol) can ease eye inflammation in people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and reduce symptoms in those with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA), new clinical trial data show. The data were presented by researchers from UCB — which markets Cimzia — and other institutions at…

Treatment with Xeljanz (tofacitinib) was found to significantly ease symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in a Phase 3 clinical trial. The results are being presented today at ACR Convergence 2020, in a session titled “Tofacitinib for the Treatment of Adult Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis: Primary Analysis…

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)’s RareLaunch training program will host two days of free virtual workshops in December, with the aim of empowering leaders to start non-profit organizations and research programs to help people with rare diseases. “The RareLaunch program is central to NORD’s mission and history — community…

Treatment with Humira (adalimumab) increases work productivity, reduces sleep problems, and eases disease activity in people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and related diseases, a new real-world study indicates. The study, “Real-world evidence of the impact of adalimumab on work productivity and sleep measures in…

A majority of rare disease patients using telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic thought the experience positive, and many would like the option of continuing its use in future appointments, a series of surveys found. The surveys were conducted by the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) and involved more than 800…

People with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) often endure considerable psychological distress — including depression, anxiety, and stress — that is related to their experience of pain, a study shows. These findings highlight a need for more mental health resources for people with this disorder, the researchers said. The study, “…

Cosentyx (secukinumab) is a safe and effective treatment for ankylosing spondylitis (AS), producing similar results in Chinese patients compared to other populations, a Phase 3 study indicates. The study, “Secukinumab provided significant and sustained improvement in the signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis,” was published…

AbbVie has submitted an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting the approval of Rinvoq (upadacitinib) for the treatment of adults with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). A separate application was submitted to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) by AbbVie earlier this year,…