News

Patients with ankylosing spondylitis treated with anti-rheumatic drugs or anti-tumor necrosis therapy are not more likely to develop infections compared to non-users, a study shows. The study, “Use of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic or anti-tumour necrosis factor drugs and risk of hospitalized infection in ankylosing spondylitis,” was published in the…

Filgotinib, an investigational therapy for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and other inflammatory diseases, was able to significantly reduce disease activity, according to recent Phase 2 clinical trial results announced by Gilead Sciences and Galapagos biotech companies. The trial’s findings, “Efficacy and safety of filgotinib,…

Five-year treatment with Cosentyx (secukinumab) is safe and effective in easing signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), according to results of a Phase 3 extension clinical trial. This new data are scheduled to be presented Oct. 23 at the 2018 American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals (ACR/ARHP) Annual…

Malfunction of the ankylosing spondylitis-associated gene, ERAP1, is connected to the loss of a certain type of immune cell, which seems to contribute to the inflammation process associated with the disease, according to a mouse study. Researchers now want to move to human trials in the coming years to validate…

Half a year has gone by since disgraced pharma executive Martin Shkreli was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for securities and wire fraud while heading San Diego-based Retrophin. As founder and CEO of another company (then known as Turing Pharmaceuticals), in late 2015 Shkreli bought the rights…

Risk factors of new spinal bone formation in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) partially differ between men and women, according to a five-year Swedish study. The study, “A five-year prospective study of spinal radiographic progression and its predictors in men and women with ankylosing spondylitis,”…

The European Commission (EU) has granted marketing authorization for Hulio, a biosimilar to Humira, for the treatment of a number of chronic inflammatory diseases including ankylosing spondylitis. According to the EC’s decision, Hulio will be available in the 28 EU member countries and three European Economic Area member states —…

Depression is prevalent among patients with axial spondyloarthritis and correlates with more severe disease activity, according to a detailed review of literature. The study, “The prevalence of depression in axial spondyloarthritis and its association with disease activity: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” was published in the…

More than 700 medical experts, pharmaceutical executives, patient advocates, and others are expected to converge on Washington, D.C., next month for the 2018 NORD Rare Diseases & Orphan Products Breakthrough Summit. The Oct. 15-16 event, sponsored by the National Organization for Rare Diseases (NORD), takes place at the…

TNF-α inhibitors have the potential to prevent heart disease among patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) by improving blood flow in small blood vessels, researchers suggest. Their study, “Microvascular dysfunction in ankylosing spondylitis is associated with disease activity and is improved by anti-TNF treatment,” was published in the…