Which biomarker is useful to evaluate as a treatment outcome in spondyloarthritis?

Abstract

Although the etiology of ankylosing spondylitis is unknown, it is necessary to develop tools for evaluating the patient response to the new therapeutic drugs. AS is mediated by chronic inflammation and characterized by bone destruction and formation. Recently, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) blockade has been widely used for treatment of AS, and the patient response is evaluated by examining the levels of various biomarkers such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), interleukins (ILs), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFs). This review discusses the recent studies suggesting candidate biomarkers for evaluation of the response to treatment and the joint remodeling markers.