Certolizumab pegol to treat patients with axial spondyloarthritis

A new study has reported that early rapid improvements in the signs and symptoms of axial spondyloarthritis in patients treated with certolizumab pegol have been maintained at four years.

A cohort of patients with radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and non-radiographic-axSpA who were randomised to take certolizumab pegol or placebo as part of the phase III RAPID-axSpA trial and the outcomes were examined at week 204.

Previous research has shown that the drug, which is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, is effective and safe over 96 weeks of treatment.

The research team, led by Dr. Desiree van der Heijde, with Leiden University Medical Centre in the Netherlands presented their findings at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual Congress (EULAR 2016).

Because of the condition is chronic, treatments must be able to control the signs and symptoms of disease over the long term with acceptable tolerability. As current treatments include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and a limited number of anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) drugs, additional treatment options are needed.

Participants in the study had adult onset axSpA for at least three months and had failed prior treatment.

Results showed that the percentage of patients achieving at least a 20% change in the Assessment in Ankylosing Spondylitis Response Criteria (ASAS 20) at week 24 was maintained at week 204 in patients remaining in the study.

Other key measures were also maintained throughout follow-up.

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