title: Biological therapies for spondyloarthritis.
abstract: Biological therapies and new imaging techniques have changed the therapeutic and diagnostic approach to spondyloarthritis. In patients with axial spondyloarthritis, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) inhibitor treatment is currently the only effective therapy in patients for whom conventional therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has failed. TNFα inhibitor treatment is more effective in preventing articular damage in peripheral joints than in axial ones. It is important to treat patients at an early stage of disease to reduce disease progression; moreover it is necessary to identify causes of therapy inefficacy in preventing joint damage in the axial subset.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bruner
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Atteno
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spanò
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Scarpa
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Research Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University Federico II, via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peluso
keywords: biological therapy; spondyloarthritis; tumor necrosis factor