OP0108 Clinical and Imaging Efficacy of Etanercept in Early Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis: A 12-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: M. Dougados, D. van der Heijde, J. Sieper, J. Braun, W. P. Maksymowych, G. Citera, R. Pedersen, R. Bonin, J. Bukowski, A. S. Koenig, B. Vlahos, D. Alvarez
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2013)

<h3>Background</h3> Anti-TNF agents are currently recommended for the treatment of NSAID-resistant ankylosing spondylitis, but limited data are available on their efficacy in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), particularly non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA). <h3>Objectives</h3> To compare the efficacy of etanercept (ETN) vs placebo (PBO) after 12 weeks of double-blind treatment in patients with nr-axSpA who had an insufficient response to NSAIDs. <h3>Methods</h3> Enrolled patients satisfied ASAS criteria for axSpA, without fulfilling modified NY criteria for ankylosing spondylitis (determined by central reading), had symptom duration of 3 months-5 years and a BASDAI score ≥4 despite current NSAID use, and had failed ≥2 NSAIDs (including current one). Patients were randomized to ETN 50 mg weekly or PBO and continued to receive background NSAID. Randomization was stratified by sacroiliitis (positive/negative on MRI by central reading according to ASAS criteria) and by geographic region. The primary endpoint was ASAS40 at week 12 (mITT). In addition to clinical assessments, MRI of the spine and sacroiliac (SI) joints was performed at baseline and week 12 and analyzed using the SPARCC scoring method (average of two independent central readers). <h3>Results</h3> At baseline, the mean age of patients was 32 years (range, 18-49 years); 61% were male; and mean disease duration was 2.4 years (range, 4 months-5 years). A total of 80.9%, 42.8%, and 87.9% were MRI+, had elevated CRP (CRP+), or were MRI+ and/or CRP+, respectively; 71.2% and 11.2% were HLA-B27+ or had psoriasis. Significantly more patients in the ETN group vs PBO group achieved ASAS40 (32.4% vs 15.7%; P=0.006) and most other clinical endpoints at week 12 (table); ETN was associated with significant improvements vs placebo in disease activity/function and inflammation on MRI. <h3>Conclusions</h3> In this population of patients with early, active nr-axSpA who had an inadequate response to ≥2 NSAIDs, etanercept was more effective than PBO in decreasing disease activity and inflammation on MRI. <h3>Acknowledgements</h3> This study was sponsored by Pfizer Inc. Medical writing support was provided by Donna McGuire of UBC Scientific Solutions and was funded by Pfizer Inc. <h3>Disclosure of Interest</h3> M. Dougados Grant/research support from: Abbott, LIlly, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Consultant for: (same), D. van der Heijde Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, AstraZeneca, BMS, Centocor, Chugai, Daiichi, Eli-Lilly, GSK, Janssen Biologics, Merck, Novartis, Novo-Nordisk, Otsuka, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi-Aventis, Schering-Plough, UCB, Vertex, Consultant for: (same), J. Sieper Consultant for: UCB, Speakers bureau: UCB, J. Braun Grant/research support from: Centocor, Amgen, Abbott, Roche, BMS, Novartis, Pfizer, and MSD, Consultant for: (same), W. P. Maksymowych Grant/research support from: Merck, Janssen, Amgen, Pfizer, Abbvie, Consultant for: (same + Eli Lilly), G. Citera Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Consultant for: Pfizer, Abbott, Bristol Myers Squibb, Roche, R. Pedersen Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, R. Bonin Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, J. Bukowski Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, A. S. Koenig Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, B. Vlahos Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc, D. Alvarez Shareholder of: Pfizer Inc, Employee of: Pfizer Inc