NICE has recommended the use of the anti TNF therapy golimumab (Simponi) in ankylosing spondylitis. This treatment will be available for people with severe ankylosing spondylitis (AS) whose condition has not responded to standard therapy. It will be used alongside adalimumab (Humira) and entanercept (Enbrel).
NASS Director, Debbie Cook, comments:
‘NASS is very grateful to the rheumatology consultants and the NASS members who supported the addition of golimumab to NICE guidance. We have been waiting for quite some time for golimumab to be approved by NICE and this is a real step forward.'
Clinical trials have shown that golimumab is just as effective and safe as the other anti TNF's but it is available as a once monthly self injection. Dr Helena Marzo-Ortega, Consultant Rheumatologist in the United Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust says:
‘This represents excellent news for patients with AS who will welcome the opportunity of a treatment option which only requires monthly administration.'
Having a third anti TNF means both greater choice and that there's another option for people with AS. Dr Karl Gaffney, Consultant Rheumatologist and AS Lead at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust commented:
‘We are delighted that NICE has recommended for golimumab for severe AS. This offers another excellent treatment option for patients in a disease area where treatment choices are limited.'