Abbott: Humira reduces signs of AS

Abbott has announced new data from the extension of the phase III Atlas trial showing that Humira (adalimumab) reduces the signs and symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis (AS),

The results presented to the annual meeting of the European League Against Rheumatism showed that the compound reduces the signs of the condition among 74 per cent of patients for up to three years of treatment.

In addition to these patients achieving a 20 per cent improvement in at least three of the four assessment measuring response to therapy for AS, 42 per cent of patients showed partial remission according to the Assessment in SpondyloArthritis International Society measure.

Desiree van der Heijde, professor of rheumatology at Leiden University Medical Centre, said: “Even partial remission of AS can have a considerable positive impact on a patient’s symptoms.

“These data are reassuring for patients because they demonstrate that adalimumab can be an effective treatment for AS.”

She added that there exists no cure for AS, with the goal of therapy to relieve pain in the joints and back.

In December 2007, Abbott announced that Humira had received marketing authorisation from the European Commission as a treatment for moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.