TITLE:
Efficacy and Safety of Janus Kinase Inhibitors (JAKi) versus Interleukin 17 Inhibitors (IL-17i) in the Treatment of Active Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis (nr-ax SpA), a Comparative Systematized Review
AUTHORS:
Yasir Mohammed, Rizwan Rajak
KEYWORDS:
Non-Radiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis, nr-ax SPA, JAKi, Interleukin 17 Inhibitors, IL-17i, Janus Kinase Inhibitors
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Rheumatology and Autoimmune Diseases,
Vol.15 No.1,
February
18,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: Non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis is a progressive and disabling inflammatory disease affecting young adults, with limited treatment options. TNFi are more efficacious than JAKi and IL1-7i in nr-ax SPA and it has a well-known safety profile over a longer duration. Recently, many IL-17i and JAKi were approved for the treatment of nr-ax SPA; however, data comparing IL1-7i and JAKi in terms of efficacy and safety is lacking. This systematized review aimed to compare the existing efficacy and safety data of JAKi vs IL-17i in the treatment of patients with nr-ax SPA. Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using relevant keywords in many databases. According to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA, 2020), relevant articles were included and evaluated in this review. Efficacy and safety data were collected, analyzed and compared through week 52. The first check was done by the end of week 14 and week 16 for upadacitinib and IL-17i respectively. Results: Data from four RCTs evaluating upadacitinib, secukinumab, ixekizumab, and bimekizumab comprising 1425 patients were analyzed. Overall, a comparable efficacy and safety profile were observed across different treatment arms through week 52; however, non-significant variations were encountered in some outcome measures. The primary endpoint among these RCTs (ASAS40 response rate) was met and it was higher in patients treated with bimekizumab 160 mg sc Q 4 weeks in TNFi non responders (48%) and lowest in ixekizumab 80 mg sc Q 4 weeks treated patients, (35%) (p Conclusion: The above-mentioned three IL-17i and the only one JAKi demonstrated comparable safety and efficacy profiles with some minor variations. A head-to-head trial comparing the effectiveness and safety characteristics of JAKi vs IL-17i may be needed in patients with active nr-ax SpA.