TY - JOUR
T1 - The "knowns" and "unknowns" of biologic therapy in ankylosing spondylitis
AU - Gensler, Lianne
AU - Inman, Robert
AU - Deodhar, Atul
PY - 2012/5
Y1 - 2012/5
N2 - Since the first biologic agent was tested in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), the ability of these therapies to dramatically improve the clinical symptoms and signs of the disease was very evident. Over the past decade, 4 tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of AS. Published data include randomized controlled trials, registries and observational studies. Guidelines have also been developed for the use of biologics in AS. Although a lot is known about the use of biologics in the AS, several "unknowns" remain. Whether these agents can alter the natural history of AS if started very early in the course or whether they can prevent extra-articular manifestations are among the important unanswered questions. Most of the data summarized in this review relate to tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors, and other biologic agents that have been studied are included, as well. This review also summarizes what questions remain about the use of biologics in AS and what type of studies will be required to answer them.
AB - Since the first biologic agent was tested in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), the ability of these therapies to dramatically improve the clinical symptoms and signs of the disease was very evident. Over the past decade, 4 tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of AS. Published data include randomized controlled trials, registries and observational studies. Guidelines have also been developed for the use of biologics in AS. Although a lot is known about the use of biologics in the AS, several "unknowns" remain. Whether these agents can alter the natural history of AS if started very early in the course or whether they can prevent extra-articular manifestations are among the important unanswered questions. Most of the data summarized in this review relate to tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitors, and other biologic agents that have been studied are included, as well. This review also summarizes what questions remain about the use of biologics in AS and what type of studies will be required to answer them.
KW - Ankylosing spondylitis
KW - Biologics
KW - TNF-alpha inhibitors
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84860820862&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84860820862&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/MAJ.0b013e318251406c
DO - 10.1097/MAJ.0b013e318251406c
M3 - Article
C2 - 22543538
AN - SCOPUS:84860820862
SN - 0002-9629
VL - 343
SP - 360
EP - 363
JO - American Journal of the Medical Sciences
JF - American Journal of the Medical Sciences
IS - 5
ER -