UNASSIGNED: Radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA), formerly known as ankylosing spondylitis (AS), is a chronic, inflammatory rheumatic disease associated with symptoms such as inflammatory back pain, morning stiffness, and arthritis. First-line recommendations for patients with AS include treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for reducing pain and stiffness.
UNASSIGNED: The objective of our study is to evaluate the efficacy and short-term NSAID-sparing effect of secukinumab in patients with AS currently treated with NSAIDs.
UNASSIGNED: We assessed the clinical Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS20) response to secukinumab and evaluated the extent to which the use of concomitant NSAID can be reduced between weeks 4 and 12 in r-axSpA patients treated with secukinumab 150 mg compared with placebo.
UNASSIGNED: ASTRUM was a prospective 24-week randomized controlled trial of adult patients with active r-axSpA [Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) ⩾4] who had a documented inadequate response to ⩾2 NSAIDs. Patients were randomized (1:1:1) to initiate treatment with subcutaneous secukinumab 150 mg from either week 0 (group 1), week 4 (group 2), or week 16 (group 3). From week 4 onward, tapering of NSAIDs was allowed in all groups.
UNASSIGNED: This study included 211 patients (n = 71, 70, and 70 in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively). ASAS20 response at week 12 for pooled groups 1 and 2 versus group 3 was 51.1% versus 44.3% (p = 0.35). A higher proportion of patients in groups 1 and 2 achieved ASAS40 and BASDAI50 and showed improvements in other secondary clinical outcomes as compared to group 3 at week 16. More patients in groups 1 and 2 versus group 3 stopped their NSAID intake from baseline through week 16.
UNASSIGNED: Treatment with secukinumab improved clinical outcomes and showed a short-term NSAID-sparing effect in patients with r-axSpA, even though the primary endpoint was not met.
UNASSIGNED: ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT02763046, EudraCT 2015-004575-74.

UNASSIGNED: Significant progress has been made in the diagnosis and management of axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA) over recent decades. A greater understanding of the immunopathogenesis of the disease has paved the way for the development of targeted treatments. Their efficacy has been demonstrated in randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses and one head-to-head study of biologic DMARDs. Treatment decisions in AxSpA are currently influenced by patient choice, co-morbidity, clinician familiarity and cost.
UNASSIGNED: We review the clinical trials that underpin the evidence base for treatments in AxSpA. We also cover the meta-analyses and head-to-head data that seek to support clinicians in personalizing treatment decisions. Further, we discuss the recent international guidelines that provide clinicians with treatment pathways and guidance.
UNASSIGNED: We conclude that treatment decisions in managing both radiographic and non-radiographic AxSpA should be based on shared decision-making with patients, the clinical effectiveness of drug class, co-morbidity and cost. At present, we have limited head-to-head data to prioritize one drug class over another for first-line treatment but can recommend tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin 17 (IL17) and JAK inhibition as being comparable in terms of clinical, structural and patient-reported outcome measures. Further real-world data may guide treatment decision-making in individual patients.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of bimekizumab 160 mg every 4 weeks, a selective inhibitor of IL-17F and IL-17A, with those of biologic/targeted synthetic DMARDs (b/tsDMARDs) in non-radiographic axial SpA (nr-axSpA) and AS.
METHODS: A systematic literature review identified randomized controlled trials until January 2023 for inclusion in Bayesian network meta-analyses (NMAs), including three b/tsDMARDs exposure networks: predominantly-naïve, naïve, and experienced. Outcomes were Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS)20, ASAS40 and ASAS partial remission (PR) response rates at 12-16 weeks. A safety NMA investigated discontinuations due to any reason and serious adverse events at 12-16 weeks.
RESULTS: The NMA included 36 trials. The predominantly-naïve network provided the most comprehensive results. In the predominantly-naïve nr-axSpA analysis, bimekizumab had significantly higher ASAS20 response rates vs secukinumab 150 mg [with loading dose (LD)/without LD], and comparable response rates vs other active comparators. In the predominantly-naïve AS analysis, bimekizumab had significantly higher ASAS40 response rates vs secukinumab 150 mg (without LD), significantly higher ASAS-PR response rates vs secukinumab 150 mg (with LD) and comparable response rates vs other active comparators. Bimekizumab demonstrated similar safety to that of other b/tsDMARDs.
CONCLUSIONS: Across ASAS outcomes, bimekizumab was comparable with most b/tsDMARDs, including ixekizumab, TNF inhibitors and upadacitinib, and achieved higher response rates vs secukinumab for some ASAS outcomes in predominantly b/tsDMARD-naïve nr-axSpA and AS patients at 12-16 weeks. In a pooled axSpA network, bimekizumab demonstrated comparable safety vs other b/tsDMARDs.

To investigate whether the reason to discontinue the first TNF inhibitor (TNFi) affects the response to the second TNFi in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).
Patients with axSpA from the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (ReumaPt), who discontinued their first TNFi and started the second TNFi between June 2008 and May 2018, were included. Response was assessed by the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) clinically important improvement (ASDAS-CII), major important improvement (ASDAS-MI), low disease activity (ASDAS-LDA), and inactive disease (ASDAS-ID). The reason for discontinuation of the first TNFi was defined, according to ASDAS-CII as primary failure (no response ≤ 6 months), secondary failure (response ≤ 6 months but lost thereafter), adverse events, and others. The association between the reason for discontinuation of the first TNFi and response to the second TNFi over time was assessed in multivariable generalized equation (GEE) models.
In total, 193 patients were included. The reason for discontinuation of the first TNFi did not influence the response to the second TNFi, according to the ASDAS-CII. However, a difference was found with more stringent outcomes, e.g., there was a higher likelihood to achieve ASDAS-ID with the second TNFi for patients discontinuing the first TNFi due to secondary failure (OR 7.3 [95%CI 1.9; 27.7]), adverse events (OR 9.1 [2.5; 33.3]), or other reasons (OR 7.7 [1.6; 37.9]) compared to primary failure.
Patients with axSpA with secondary failure to their first TNFi, compared to those with primary failure, have a better response to the second TNFi according to stringent outcomes.