Schering Plough’s Remicade ‘effective against ankylosing spondylitis’

A new study revealed at the annual European Congress of Rheumatology of the European League Against Rheumatism has demonstrated that Remicade (infliximab), marketed in the UK by Schering-Plough, is effective against ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

AS is a disease characterised by the fusing together of some, or in rare cases all, of the vertebrae. It is caused by inflammation where tendons attach to the bone. During the healing process, new bone is formed which can result in the fusion of vertebrae.

Remicade, an anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy already prescribed for inflammatory conditions like Crohn’s disease and rheumatoid arthritis, was prescribed to AS patients during a five year study. By the end, nearly 60 per cent of those initially enrolled in the treatment-phase of the study were still being treated with Remicade, of which over a third had demonstrated complete remission.

Professor Jurgen Braun, lead physician at the Rheumazentrum Ruhrgebiet and
professor at the Free University of Berlin, remarked: “This trial provides further evidence that long-term control of ankylosing spondylitis with anti-TNF therapy is possible.”

” The results presented today should encourage rheumatologists to administer anti TNF agents such as infliximab as on-going therapy to improve the lives of at least a third of the patients suffering from this disorder,” he added.

Remicade was first approved in the EU in May 2003 for the treatment of AS patients with severe axial symptoms. Last month, NICE said Remicade could be recommended for the treatment of severe psoriatic arthritis, if they have contraindications to etanercept or have major difficulties with self-administered injections.

According to NASS, an AS charity, AS afflicts one in 200 men and one in 500 women.

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