Etanercept is significantly better than sulfasalazine

Business News Agency August 2nd, A 48-week, multicenter, randomized, open-label controlled study (ESTHER) conducted by the Charité Institute of Medicine in Berlin, Germany, explores the use of etanercept and sulfasalazine in the treatment of acute midline axes. The efficacy of type of spinal arthritis. The results of the study showed that etanercept was significantly better than sulfasalazine.

The subjects of this study were 18 to 50 years old, and the diagnosis of axial spondyloarthropathy was clear, the course of disease was less than 5 years, and the effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was poor, and the whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination revealed the presence of Patients with sacroiliitis or bone marrow edema or tendinitis. The 76 patients enrolled in the study were randomly divided into two groups: one group was treated with etanercept 25 mg twice a week (n=40); the other group was treated with sulfasalazine 2-3 g/d, and the intolerant group was changed. Methotrexate 15 to 20 mg/w (n=36). Two groups of patients underwent MRI examination and clinical evaluation at 0, 24, and 48 weeks of the study.

Ankle MRI scores showed that at the 48th week of treatment, the iliac joint MRI score (down from baseline 7.7 to 2.0) was significantly better in the etanercept-treated group than in the sulfasalazine treatment group (down from baseline 5.4). To 3.5) (P=0.02). In the degree of spinal cord inflammation reduction, the etanercept treatment group (from baseline 2.2 to 1.0) was significantly better than the sulfasalazine group (1.4 from baseline to 1.3) (P=0.01). In tendonitis, the etanercept treatment group decreased from 26 to 11 and the sulfasalazine group increased from 24 to 26, both of which were also significantly different (P=0.04). In terms of clinical remission rate, 50% of patients in the etanercept group achieved clinical remission at 48 weeks of treatment, while 19% of patients in the sulfasalazine group achieved clinical remission. In terms of adverse reactions, the incidence of infection was highest in both groups and there was no significant difference between the two groups.

The study showed that, for axial spondyloarthritis, the efficacy of etanercept in the acute phase was significantly better than that of traditional sulfasalazine treatment, and it could achieve clinical and imaging remission.

Dr. Sam Azoulay, senior vice president of medical and development at Pfizer Emerging Markets Division, said that the advantages of etanercept are mainly manifested in two aspects: First, the rapid onset of efficacy, and generally two weeks after the application, significant clinical efficacy can occur. Can greatly enhance the confidence of patients to overcome the disease; Second, the role is obvious. Etanercept comprehensively controls various symptoms of ankylosing spondylitis and significantly improves the patient's quality of life.