Drug Design, Development and Therapy (Jul 2016)
Golimumab in radiographic and nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis: a review of clinical trials
Abstract
Eric Toussirot,1–5 Charline Vauchy,1 Delphine Binda,1 Fabrice Michel6 1Clinical Investigation Center in Biotherapy, Intitut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale CIC-1431, 2Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire Integrated Center for Research in inflammatory Diseases, 3Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France; 4Department of Therapeutics, 5Equipe d’accueil EA 4266: “Pathogenic Agents and Inflammation”, University of Franche-Comté, 6Department of Neuromuscular Examinations and Diseases, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, FranceAbstract: Axial spondyloarthritis (Ax SpA) refers to chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases that mainly affect the axial skeleton, leading to erosions and new bone formation in the sacroiliac joints and/or the spine. Ax SpA includes the radiographic form of the disease, ie, ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and the nonradiographic Ax SpA (non-Rx Ax SpA) forms. Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) agents are used in the treatment of Ax SpA in patients who do not respond to or are intolerant to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In these patients, anti-TNFα agents show promising results by targeting the inflammatory process and providing symptomatic relief. Golimumab is a fully human anti-TNFα agent that is currently approved for the treatment of both AS and non-Rx Ax SpA in Europe. This review focuses on the results of clinical trials with golimumab for the treatment of AS (GO-RAISE studies) and non-Rx Ax SpA (GO-AHEAD study) and on the effects of this agent on imaging findings (radiographic progression, magnetic resonance imaging inflammation) as well as on biological parameters. Overall, golimumab is a valid therapeutic option in patients with AS and non-Rx Ax SpA in Europe.Keywords: anti-TNFα, golimumab, axial spondyloarthritis
