Therapies in ankylosing spondylitis-from clinical trials to clinical practice

Abstract

Until recently, the therapeutic options for patients suffering from active AS comprised NSAIDs and TNF inhibitor therapy. Although these are effective in a significant proportion of patients, not all patients respond and some are intolerant to these therapies. Therefore, there is a clear unmet treatment need in AS patients. This article reviews the evidence for targets currently being studied in AS. This includes the IL-12/23 inhibitor ustekinumab, the pan-Janus kinase inhibitor tofacitinib and the anti-IL-17A antibody secukinumab.