Blocking Tumor Necrosis Factor in Ankylosing Spondylitis

Summary

The Division of Rheumatology at University of California San Francisco is conducting a research study on the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with a new therapy currently used for people with other forms of arthritis. The drug, called Enbrel (or etanercept), is a protein that is given twice weekly by injection underneath the skin. It blocks the action of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a substance that may be involved in AS, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. We will randomly assign patients to receive either the drug or a placebo (inactive treatment) for 4 months. The results we will monitor include morning stiffness, spinal mobility, activities of daily life, and safety of the drug.

Timeline

Start

1999-10

Primary completion

—

Completion

2002-03

Publications

• Background Gorman JD, Sack KE, Davis JC Jr. Treatment of ankylosing spondylitis by inhibition of tumor necrosis factor alpha. N Engl J Med. 2002 May 2;346(18):1349-56. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa012664.
• Background Davis JC Jr, Van Der Heijde D, Braun J, Dougados M, Cush J, Clegg DO, Kivitz A, Fleischmann R, Inman R, Tsuji W; Enbrel Ankylosing Spondylitis Study Group. Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor receptor (etanercept) for treating ankylosing spondylitis: a randomized, controlled trial. Arthritis Rheum. 2003 Nov;48(11):3230-6. doi: 10.1002/art.11325.
• Background Davis JC Jr, Huang F, Maksymowych W. New therapies for ankylosing spondylitis: etanercept, thalidomide, and pamidronate. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2003 Aug;29(3):481-94, viii. doi: 10.1016/s0889-857x(03)00028-0.

Drugs

Indications