Phase II Clinical Study of Thalidomide in the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis

A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Phase II Clinical Study of Thalidomide in the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis

1. Evaluate the efficacy and safety of taking thalidomide tablets once daily in the treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis.
2. To explore dose-effect relationships of taking thalidomide tablets once daily in the treatment of active ankylosing spondylitis, as well as selecting the appropriate dose for the further larger scale clinical trials.

Inclusion Criteria:

• (1) Active Ankylosing Spondylitis, Age 18-65, both outpatient or inpatient, both gender;
• (2) AS patients after traditional therapy (Using NSAIDs in a stable dose for 1 month, using oral corticosteroids, using NSAIDs for 3 months) still in active stage;
• (3) Pregnancy test must be negative in the female subjects of childbearing age or wife of the male subjects;
• (4)Female subjects with fertility during the trial (of 32 weeks) agreed to take a double medically accepted and reliable contraceptive measures, which includes a drug and a non-drug contraceptive measures; if the spouses of male subjects have fertility, agreed to use latex condoms for contraception;
• (5)Willing to have the treatment according to the plan as well as do the follow-up exam on time;
• (6)Understand and voluntarily signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• (1) Suffering from or have suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, disc prolapse, septic arthritis, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis syndrome, iliac dense osteitis, psoriatic arthritis, bowel disease arthritis, Reiter syndrome;
• (2) Severe AS, spine completely stiff (X-ray class IV) or the disease has been shown to have a shorter survival period;
• (3) Previously had total hip arthroplasty surgical treatment or appropriate to have the surgery;
• (4) Previously received anti-TNF therapy;
• (5) Used leflunomide within 3 months before screening;
• (6) Severe or persistent infection requires antimicrobial therapy;
• (7) Hepatitis B surface antigen or hepatitis C antibody test positive;
• (8) HIV positive or have acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) history;
• (9) Malignancy, lymphoproliferative disease history;
• (10) Severe diabetes;
• (11) Resting hypotension (BP<90/50 mmHg) or hypertension (BP>170/100 mmHg), and orthostatic hypotension and clinically significant ECG abnormalities;
• (12) Over the past six months had a stroke, heart attack or other serious cardiovascular disease (including heart failure, unstable angina or life-threatening arrhythmias and coronary artery bypass graft surgery);
• (13) WBC or neutrophils below the lower limit of normal;
• (14) Liver dysfunction, AST or ALT l> 2 times the upper limit of normal;
• (15) Renal dysfunction, Cr>2 times the upper limit of normal;
• (16) Female subjects or spouses of male subjects have positive pregnancy test or be in the sickling period or intend to fertility or unwilling to take effective contraception;
• (17) With clinical symptoms of serious drug abuse or alcohol abuse or mental illness history;
• (18) Participated in any clinical trials of drugs within 3 months before screening;
• (19) Workers engaged in dangerous (eg drivers, machine operator, high-altitude operations, etc.);
• (20) A history of deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism;
• (21) Be allergic to Test drug ingredients (including excipients);
• (22) Other reasons for not be enrolled.