My husband has had a form of spinal arthritis for the last 10 years. It’s called ankylosing spondylitis (AS). I heard an ad on TV for a new group of drugs they are using for rheumatoid arthritis. Would these work for AS?

You may have heard about the new disease modifying drugs made from tunor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. These were discovered in cancer research but have worked very well for inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.

TNF inhibitors include etanercept (trade name: Enbril), infliximab (trade name: Remicaide), and adalimumab (trade name: Humira). These drugs are known to control pain and reduce stiffness. Patients are able to stay active and avoid deformities common with these conditions.

Not everyone with AS is a good candidate for TNF inhibitor treatment. A medical doctor must make this decision. It’s based on how severe and active the disease process is. Other treatment such as antiinflammtory drugs and physical therapy may also be helpful.