12-week data from the ABILITY-1 trial of adalimumab in patients fulfilling the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis international Society (ASAS) criteria for axial spondyloarthritis, with an inadequate response to NSAIDs and without radiographic disease, show effective control of disease activity, reduced inflammation and better quality of life in those taking the drug, compared with placebo. At week 12, 36% of the adalimumab group (n = 91) reached an ASAS 40% response, as opposed to 15% of the placebo group (n = 94).