New treatments are on the horizon for ankylosing spondylitis

Queensland: New treatments are on the horizon for ankylosing spondylitis and two other debilitating conditions that affect up to three per cent of the global population – thanks to a research and development deal involving University of Queensland research. University of Queensland Diamantina Institute Director Professor Matt Brown said the agreement between UQ’s commercialisation arm, UniQuest, and Janssen Cilag Pty Limited (Janssen), would capitalise on more than a decade of research. The research involves important enzymes involved in activating the immune system.

Anti-TNF-alpha drugs for treating ankylosing spondylitis

Cochrane: There is moderate to high quality evidence that anti-TNF agents improve clinical symptoms in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis. Researchers looked at trials done up to June 2014 on the effect of anti-TNF drugs (adalimumab (Humira®), etanercept (Enbrel®), golimumab (Simponi®), and infliximab (Remicade®)) on ankylosing spondylitis. They found 21 trials with 3308 participants. Most studies were funded by pharmaceutical companies.