Effect of Anti-TNF (Alpha) Treatment on Vascular Stiffness in Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS)

This study will provide important data on the pathogenesis of vascular damage and possible mechanism by which potent anti-inflammatory treatment may reduce cardiovascular risk in Ankylosing Spondylitis(AS) patients.

Fifty patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis(AS) will be randomized to receive either Golimumab or Placebo for 12 months. Patients randomized to Placebo with worsening disease activity (failure to achieve Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS20)) at week 24 will be permitted to escape to open-label Golimumab. Clinical assessment, intima-media thickness, vascular stiffness and endothelial progenitor cells will be performed at baseline, 6 and 12 months.

Inclusion criteria

• Men or women, 18 years of age or older
• Fulfilled the modified New York diagnostic criteria for Ankylosing spondylitis (AS)for more than 3 months
• Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) ≥ 4 (0-10 point scale), Pain visual analog scale(VAS) ≥ 4 (0-10cm scale)
• Inadequate response to at least two Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs (NASID) on highest recommended doses for 3 months or unable to receive full 3-month course because of intolerance,toxicity or contraindications
• Normal Chest X-ray within 3 months before baseline
• Purified Protein Derivative(PPD) negative, or Latent Tuberculosis (TB) patients were required therapy for Tuberculosis (TB) before or simultaneously with first dose of study agent

Exclusion criteria

• Complete ankylosis of the spine
• Concurrent with other inflammatory rheumatic disease
• Serious infection (treatment with IV-infective) within 2 months before randomization
• Active Tuberculosis (TB) or recent contact with a person with active Tuberculosis (TB)
• An opportunistic infection within 6 months of screening
• Known history of Hepatitis, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Malignancy, a transplanted organ, multiple sclerosis, congestive heart failure
• Currently on systemic immunosuppressives, DMARDS (other than Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine , or Hydroxychloroquine), or Leflunomide within 4 week before first study agent
• Any previous use of Alefacept, Efalizumab, Rituximab, Golimumab or Natalizumab
• Use of cytotoxic drugs, received intra-articular, intramuscular, or intravenous corticosteroids in the past 4 weeks before screening
• Clinically significant renal disease (serum creatinine level ≥ 270µmol/L), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≥ 2 x upper limit of normal (ULN)
• Hemoglobin level < 8.5gm/dl, a white blood cell count < 3.5x 109/liter, a platelet count < 100x 109/liter
• Female of childbearing potential, unwilling to use adequate contraception during the study
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women