Tofacitinib Reduces Spinal Inflammation in Vertebral Bodies and Posterolateral Elements in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Results from a Phase 2 Trial

Tofacitinib treatment is associated with a significant improvement in CANDEN MRI scores of spinal inflammation in axSpA patients. This study by Østergaard, et al. also validates the CANDEN MRI scoring system as an approach for measuring axSpA-associated inflammatory lesions.

The phase 2 multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging trial had three treatment groups over the course of 12 Weeks: Tofacitinib 10 mg BID, tofacitinib 5 mg BID, and placebo. Both tofacitinib doses showed significant improvement in CANDEN scores, while showing an increased number of fat lesions observed using MRI.