Infliximab effective for ankylosing spondylitis

Infliximab can reduce spinal inflammation associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), according to the results of a recent investigation. The authors note an "almost complete resolution of spinal inflammation" in the majority of patients who received infliximab, irrespective of baseline disease activity.To evaluate the efficacy of infliximab in reducing the signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) Dr Juergen Braun (Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet, Herne, Germany) and colleagues enrolled 266 patients with moderate-to-severe disease. Subjects were randomly assigned at an 8:3 ratio to receive infliximab infusions (5mg/kg) or placebo at weeks zero, two, and six and then every six weeks thereafter.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to determine treatment effects on spinal inflammation, images were independently quantified by two readers who assigned a score of 0 to 6 per vertebral unit, for a total spinal score of 0 to 138.Suitable images were available at baseline and week 24 for 194 patients in the infliximab group and 72 patients in the placebo group. The authors identify that those treated with infliximab showed a mean improvement of 5.0 in the MRI activity score, compared with 0.6 in the placebo group (p"Almost complete resolution of spinal inflammation was seen in most patients who received infliximab, irrespective of baseline activity", Braun's group writes.The authors add, "Further investigation is necessary to examine possible correlations between spinal inflammation, osteodestruction, and osteoproliferation and to examine the effect of anti-TNF therapy on radiographic structural changes in patients with AS."Reference...