Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis that primarily targets the spine and sacroiliac joints, causing progressive pain, stiffness, and in severe cases fusion of vertebrae. It typically begins in young adults and is strongly associated with the HLA-B27 gene. Without effective treatment, spinal mobility can be severely restricted over time.
What's actually going on in research
TNF inhibitors and IL-17 inhibitors (secukinumab, ixekizumab) are now well-established treatments that significantly reduce inflammation and improve function in active AS, and both classes have demonstrated benefits for radiographic progression. JAK inhibitors such as upadacitinib are now also approved and offer an oral alternative. Trials are exploring IL-23 inhibitors, which showed mixed initial results in AS despite effectiveness in related conditions, as well as biomarker-driven approaches to personalize therapy selection.
JAK inhibitor options
Oral JAK inhibitors, including upadacitinib and filgotinib, are approved or in late-phase trials for AS, offering patients an effective oral alternative to injectable biologics.
IL-23 inhibitor research
Despite limited results in axial spondyloarthritis so far, trials continue investigating whether specific patient subgroups defined by biomarkers respond to IL-23 pathway blockade.
Treat-to-target strategies
Studies are evaluating whether targeting low disease activity or remission — and adjusting therapy accordingly — improves long-term spinal outcomes and quality of life compared to symptom-guided treatment.
What to know before you search
Eligibility typically requires confirmed axial spondyloarthritis diagnosis, active disease despite NSAIDs, and no prior or current use of the specific biologic being studied.
What types of trials are currently open
- JAK inhibitor trials — Comparing oral JAK inhibitors to biologics in active ankylosing spondylitis across diverse patient populations.
- Biologic therapy trials — Testing new IL-17 and IL-23 pathway inhibitors and combination strategies in active disease.
- Early intervention studies — Evaluating whether prompt treatment delays radiographic spinal fusion in newly diagnosed patients.
- Treat-to-target trials — Assessing structured remission-targeting approaches versus standard symptom management.
- Biomarker studies — Identifying imaging and blood markers to predict treatment response and disease progression.
Recently added Ankylosing Spondylitis trials
Efficacy of the Erector Spinae Plane Block for Persistent Back Pain in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis
Despite adequate control of disease activity with standard medical therapies, there remains an ongoing need for complementary and interventional approaches for the management of persistent back pain in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Although the erector spinae plane block has been described in the literature as a safe and effective analgesic intervention for chronic back pain in various patient populations, to the best of our knowledge, no clinical study has specifically evaluated its use for persistent back pain in patients with ankylosing spondylitis receiving medical treatment. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of erector spinae plane block on pain severity and clinical outcomes in patients with ankylosing spondylitis whose disease activity is controlled under treatment but who continue to experience persistent back pain.
Complete posture and balance tests while reporting smartphone usage
The purpose of this cross-sectional and comparative study is to investigate the impact of smartphone addiction on the cervical posture, musculoskeletal system, balance, and tongue pressure in individuals diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS), and to compare these findings with a healthy control group. Smartphone addiction has become a major contributing factor to postural alterations such as Text Neck Syndrome. This study aims to evaluate and compare the Craniovertebral Angle (CVA), neck extensor muscle strength, Pressure Pain Thresholds (PPT) of the neck and shoulder, Single-Leg Stance (SLS) static balance, and tongue pressure among three distinct groups. A healthy control group will be included as a reference baseline to differentiate the postural and functional deterioration caused by rheumatological diseases from the additional mechanical load imposed by smartphone dependency. To eliminate the misleading effects of acute pain, joint swelling, and severe functional limitations during flare-ups, only patients with stable disease activity (DAS28 \< 3.2 for RA and BASDAI \< 4 for AS) will be enrolled. This approach aims to examine the pure biomechanical relationship between technological dependency and cervical functions, independent of active systemic inflammation.
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