Deodhar A, van der Heijde D, Gensler LS, et al. - In this 52-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study (COAST-X) performed at 107 sites in 15 countries in Europe, Asia, North America, and South America of 303 adults (aged ≥ 18 years) with active axial spondyloarthritis without definite radiographic sacroiliitis (non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis), objective signs of inflammation (via MRI or C-reactive protein), and an insufficient response or intolerance to NSAIDs, experts assessed the effectiveness and safety of ixekizumab, an IL-17 inhibitor, in non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis in order to report the primary results of COAST-X. At weeks 16 and 52, in individuals with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, ixekizumab was better than placebo for improving signs and symptoms. Reports of adverse events were comparable to those of former ixekizumab studies. Thus, for individuals with non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis who had an insufficient response or were intolerant to NSAID therapy, ixekizumab proposes a possible therapeutic alternative.