title: Update on biologic therapy in the management of axial spondyloarthritis.
abstract: Axial spondyloarthritis, which includes ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic spondyloarthritis, is an important subtype of the spondyloarthritides. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists are effective therapies for this partially heterogeneous group of rheumatic diseases in terms of signs, symptoms, and functioning, but they do not seem to substantially inhibit radiographic progression, which is mainly new bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis. However, they clearly reduce inflammation, as shown by MRI. TNF blockers are also efficacious in the treatment of extraspinal features of spondyloarthritis. In addition, evidence indicates that anti-TNF therapy works well in early axial disease. Other biologics are currently being investigated, as alternatives are needed for patients who fail anti-TNF therapy.
authors.affiliation: Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet, Landgrafenstrasse 15, 44652, Herne, Germany. heldmann@rheumazentrum-ruhrgebiet.de
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Heldmann
authors.forename: Friedrich
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dybowski
authors.forename: Ertan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saracbasi-Zender
authors.forename: Claas
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fendler
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Braun
mesh_terms: D000068879:Adalimumab; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001691:Biological Therapy; D000068800:Etanercept; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069285:Infliximab; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D025241:Spondylarthritis / Q000628:therapy*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C529000:golimumab; D000069285:Infliximab; D000068879:Adalimumab; D000068800:Etanercept