Author Archives: Marisa Wexler MS

An under-the-skin injectable formulation of Remsima (infliximab), called Remsima SC, has been approved in European Union for the treatment of five autoimmune disorders, including ankylosing spondylitis. The approval by the European Commission also covers Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis,…

On days when they are more mindful or engaged in meaningful activities, people with ankylosing spondylitis or rheumatoid arthritis experience less impairment due to fatigue, a study suggests. The study, “Understanding fatigue‐related disability in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis: The importance of daily correlates,” was…

Eli Lilly‘s Taltz (ixekizumab) has been approved in the U.S. to treat non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) in people who have objective signs of inflammation. “This approval reflects Lilly’s continued growth and commitment to supporting rheumatologists and people with autoimmune conditions, including nr-axSpA,” Patrik Jonsson, senior vice president…

Both treatment with Humira (adalimumab) and smoking can alter the composition of the gut microbiome — the microorganisms living in the gut — in people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a new study shows. Results also revealed that nonsmokers showed greater reductions in disease activity than smokers upon starting Humira. The…

Elevated levels of a protein produced in both bones and the gut, known as lipocalin 2 (LCN2), could explain the overlap between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a new study suggests. Its researchers also suggested that therapies aimed at lowering LCN2 levels may help…

Use of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) inhibitors is linked to a higher risk of inflammatory disorders affecting the nervous system among people with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a long-term study based on nationwide data from Sweden and Denmark suggests. Specifically, the potential of greater…

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) is recommending the approval of Cosentyx (secukinumab) for the treatment of adults with active non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA). Recommendations from CHMP, part of the European Medicines Agency, are typically accepted by the European…

The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has recommended the approval of Nepexto, a biosimilar of Enbrel (etanercept), for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders including ankylosing spondylitis. CHMP is an arm of the European Medicines Agency. and the European Commission generally accepts opinions released…

Health Canada approved Taltz (ixekizumab) for the treatment of adults with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who have responded poorly to or are unable to tolerate conventional therapies. Eli Lilly‘s Taltz is a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) that works by blocking the activity of interleukin-17A, a…

Variations in the LTA gene can alter a person’s risk of developing ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a new study suggests. The study, “Associations of lymphotoxin-a (LTA) rs909253 A/G gene polymorphism, plasma level and risk of ankylosing spondylitis in a Chinese Han population,” was published in the journal…