News

The number of treatments for children with rare diseases has grown over the past decade, according to a new study. However, despite the increase, nearly 7,000 rare diseases are still lacking treatment. And federal incentives to boost treatment development for these rare diseases have primarily focused not on creating new…

Treatment with TNF inhibitors eased disease activity and improved physical function for people with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), according to a real-world study from Italy. The extent of functional improvement correlates with both lower disease activity and shorter disease duration. The study, “Improvement of Function and…

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…

In recognition of Rare Disease Day Feb. 29, Bionews Services launched a social media campaign last month asking patients to describe what makes them rare. Running Feb. 7–29, the #WhatMakesMeRare campaign was aimed at uplifting people with rare diseases by encouraging them to share their stories and perspectives. The…

Beginning on Feb. 29, Rare Disease Day, chapters from notable scientific books and clinical review articles covering rare disorders will be available free-of-charge from Elsevier. The offer runs through April 30, and aims to supports work by researchers and clinicians into a better understanding of and treatments for rare diseases, as well…

Blood levels of the protein S100A4 are elevated in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), especially at early stages of the disease, a study found. The excessive spinal bone formation that occurs over time seems to be marked by a reduction in the protein’s levels, suggesting its implication in…

An abundance of events are afoot around the world to mark Rare Disease Day 2020 on Feb. 29. The activities are focused on heightening awareness about rare diseases and the hundreds of millions of individuals they are thought to affect. Patients, caregivers, and advocates worldwide will sport denim ribbons…

Women with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and other inflammatory conditions who take TNF inhibitors during pregnancy may be at higher risk for preterm birth, cesarean section, and smaller babies, according to a study from Denmark, Finland, and Sweden. Yet the findings varied by type of…

A new genetic variant in the RELN gene was identified in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients in the same family, an Iranian study reports. The study, “Identification of RELN varient p.(Ser2486Gly) in an Iranian family with ankylosing spondylitis: the first association of RELN and AS,” was published in the…

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…