The LIBERTY-CD study demonstrated superior efficacy of subcutaneous infliximab-dyyb over placebo for maintenance therapy in patients with Crohn’s disease. This post hoc analysis characterised subgroups of patients with different response levels to subcutaneous infliximab. Group-based trajectory modelling was conducted to deconvolute cohort-level data into individual response trajectories based on longitudinal patient-reported outcomes. Potential predictors of subcutaneous infliximab response were explored using multivariable analyses. Subgroups were compared for clinical, endoscopic, biochemical, and health-related quality of life outcomes; comprehensive disease control (achieving composite endpoints) at week 54; pre-dose serum infliximab levels; and safety. Four distinct subgroups of patients were identified: super-responders (rapid and high sustained improvement); fast responders; slow responders; and limited responders (partial improvement). In multivariable analyses, lower baseline body mass index (p = 0.022) and pre-dose serum infliximab levels ≥ 14 μg/ml at week 10 (p = 0.003) were associated with a super-response. At week 54, super-responders showed the highest rates of clinical remission (80.3
A subset of risankizumab (RZB)-treated patients experience suboptimal or secondary loss of response to standard dosing. We explored factors associated with future RZB dose-optimization, and outcomes of optimization in a multicenter consortium of adults with Crohn’s Disease (CD). Baseline characteristics at time of RZB initiation and subsequent clinical, endoscopic, and biochemical outcomes were collected in a multi-center cohort. Outcomes for dose-optimized RZB were reported as clinical response and remission (based on HBI or PGA when HBI unavailable), endoscopic remission (based on SEMA-CD or absence of ulcers when SEMA-CD not available), and biochemical response. Characteristics were compared between standard and dose-optimized groups using chi-square and two-sample t-tests. Additional models adjusting for age and sex assessed predictors of dose optimization. We identified 309 patients treated with standard dose and 58 for whom dose-optimized RZB was recommended. Of the 58, 29 were excluded from outcomes analysis due to lack of follow-up (n = 19) or insurance denial of dose optimization (n = 10). Demographic information is outlined in Table 1. Baseline characteristics associated with future dose optimization included number of prior advanced therapies (ATs) (OR, 1.29, p < 0.001), prior anti-TNF (OR,4.06; p = 0.022), and prior ustekinumab (UST) use (OR,1.82; p = 0.053) (Table 2). The 29 patients included in the outcome analysis received dose-optimized RZB for primary non-response (n = 2), partial response (n = 23), or secondary loss of response (n = 4) after a median of 321 days (IQR, 234-440) from index RZB start. Median follow-up after dose optimization was 217 days (IQR, 147-331). All patients were AT-exposed (Table 1). Baseline clinical symptoms were present in 27 patients (93.1%), with median HBI of 6.5 (IQR, 6.0-8.0). Active endoscopic disease was observed in 11/12 patients (91.7%) who had baseline endoscopy. Dosing was every 4 weeks in 19 (65.5%), every 6 weeks in 9 (31.0%), and combined IV re-induction plus every 4-weeks in 1 (3.4%) patient. Clinical response and remission was seen in 16 (55.2%) and 12 (41.4%) patients, respectively. A ≥ 50% CRP reduction was seen in 5/12 (41.7%) patients with baseline elevated CRP. Among 7 patients with baseline active endoscopic disease with available follow-up, 3 (42.9%) achieved endoscopic remission. No adverse events were reported. In this multi-center retrospective cohort, prior AT-exposure (especially anti-TNF) was associated with need for RZB dose-optimization. Dose optimization successfully captured clinical response in a significant proportion of patients who experienced partial response or loss of response to RZB. Conflict of interest: Johnson, Amanda: Research grant: Abbvie, Spyre Therapeutics Ramesh, Prajith Raj: None Said, Hyder: No conflict of interest Huang, Katherine: No conflict of interest Devi, Jalpa: none Pekow, Joel R.: CVS Health - Consulting Abbvie, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Johnson and Johnson - Stocks Alhobayb, Tamara: No conflict of interest Bassmeyer, Blake: No conflict of interest Mohamed, Mouhand: No conflict of interest Shivashankar, Raina: Abbvie and BMS - speaker bureau Janssen and Celltrion - grant for IBD fellowship funding Pfizer - consultant Rathi, Jaya: No conflict of interest Luu, Bryan: No conflict of interest Khan, Abdul: No conflict of interest Loftus, Jr, Edward: Grant: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Genentech, Gilead, Janssen, Pfizer, Receptos, Robarts Clinical Trials, Takeda, Theravance, UCB. Personal Fees: AbbVie, Allergan, Amgen, Arena, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Calibr, Celgene, Celltrion, Eli Lilly, Genentech, Gilead, Iterative Scopes, Janssen, Ono Pharma, Pfizer, Sun Pharma, Takeda, UCB. Bishu, Shrinivas: None Patel, Anish: speaker: abbvie, J & J, Lilly, BMS, Pfizer, Phathom, Takeda consultant: abbvie Shukla, Richa: Speakers bureau - Abbvie and Lilly Yarur, Andres: Personal Fees: Consultant for Takeda, Pfizer, Roche, Merck, Abbvie, Eli Lilly. Bristol Myers Squibb, Celltrion, Johnson and Johnson. Ungaro, Ryan: Personal Fees: AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genentech, Lilly, Pfizer, Janssen, Takeda Deepak, Parakkal: Parakkal Deepak has received research support under a sponsored research agreement unrelated to the data in the abstract from AbbVie, Johnson and Johnson, Sanofi, Merck, Teva, Direct Biologics, Tr1x, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Pfizer, Prometheus Biosciences, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Roche Genentech, Eli Lilly, AstraZeneca, Spyre and Agomab, has received consulting fees from Johnson and Johnson, Abbvie, Merck, Sobi, Celltrion, Fresenius Kabi, Asahi Kasei Pharma, Sandoz and CorEvitas, LLC and has served on the board of the Srategic Alliance for Intercultural Advocacy in GI.
INTRODUCTION:Normalized quality of life represents a crucial long-term treatment goal in Crohn's disease (CD). We evaluated the effect of risankizumab (RZB) vs ustekinumab (UST) on achieving clinically meaningful improvements in patient-reported outcomes in the phase 3b head-to-head SEQUENCE study. METHODS:Adults with moderate-to-severe CD whose previous anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy failed were randomized 1:1 to recommended induction and maintenance doses of RZB or UST. The proportion of patients who achieved Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) response, IBDQ remission, and improvements in 36-item short-form health survey physical and mental component summary (physical component summary and mental component summary, respectively) scores was evaluated at weeks 24 and 48. The proportion of patients experiencing improvement in select symptoms of the IBDQ was reported. RESULTS:Analysis included 520 patients (RZB: N = 255; UST: N = 265). At week 24, greater proportions(all P ≤ .01) of RZB- vs UST-treated patients achieved IBDQ response (75.3% vs 64.2%), IBDQ remission (52.5% vs 30.9%), and improvements in 36-item short-form health survey physical component summary (65.9% vs 53.2%). At 24 weeks, lower proportions (all P ≤ .05) of RZB- vs UST-treated patients experienced fatigue (51.4% vs 69.1%), difficulty sleeping (37.7% vs 54.3%), depression (34.1% vs 42.6%), anxiety (34.1% vs 49.8%), and bowel urgency (27.1% vs 40.0%) all of the time to some of the time. Improvements were sustained through week 48. DISCUSSION:RZB was more effective than UST in achieving sustained clinically meaningful patient-reported outcome improvements including IBDQ response and remission, and in reducing frequency of select symptoms of the IBDQ through week 48 among patients with moderate-to-severe CD.
BACKGROUND:The expanding use of biologic and small-molecule therapies for ulcerative colitis (UC) has raised concerns regarding perioperative safety. We conducted a network meta-analysis to compare short-term postoperative complications associated with preoperative exposure to these agents in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. METHODS:We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library through September 15, 2025, for cohort studies of adults with UC who were exposed to biologic or small-molecule therapy within 12 weeks prior to surgery. Interventions included biologic therapy, small-molecule therapy, and no biologic or small-molecule therapy (control). The primary outcome was overall postoperative complications at 30 and 90 days. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) was assessed as a key secondary outcome. Random-effects network meta-analysis was performed using risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS:Sixteen retrospective cohort studies involving 3235 patients were included. At 30 days, ustekinumab and tofacitinib were associated with lower overall postoperative complication rates than control (RR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.09-0.96; and RR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.46-0.96, respectively). Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy was associated with higher complication rates compared with vedolizumab, ustekinumab, and tofacitinib at 30 days (RR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.00-1.63; RR: 3.67; 95% CI: 1.12-12.03; and RR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.14-2.27, respectively). At 90 days, anti-TNF therapy was associated with higher complication rates than control (RR 1.20, 95% CI 1.03-1.40), although the 90-day analysis was based on limited data. VTE rates were similar across treatments at both time points. CONCLUSION:Preoperative ustekinumab and tofacitinib were associated with fewer 30-day postoperative complications than control or anti-TNF therapy, while vedolizumab was associated with fewer complications than anti-TNF therapy. At 90 days, anti-TNF therapy was associated with higher complication rates compared with control. These findings, particularly at 90 days based on limited data, should be interpreted with caution and require confirmation in well-designed prospective studies with rigorous adjustment for confounding factors.
Background and Aims:Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is an immune-mediated liver disease frequently associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). PSC-IBD represents a distinct phenotype with extensive colitis, right-sided predominance, and elevated colorectal cancer risk. We aimed to evaluate the impact of oral vancomycin on clinical, endoscopic, and histologic findings of IBD and both intestinal and liver biomarkers of these patients. Methods:A retrospective study was performed among patients with PSC-IBD treated with oral vancomycin from January 1992 to August 2024. Data collected included demographics, disease characteristics, prior therapies, vancomycin use and dosing, clinical response, laboratory markers, endoscopic, and histologic activity of the colon. Vancomycin-free survival was estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results:Among 90 patients (80% ulcerative colitis) included, the median age at PSC diagnosis was 17.4 years. Clinical improvement related to intestinal inflammation was observed in 50%, and 12.2% achieved remission. Endoscopic inactivity increased from 18.8% to 60.3%, and histologic inactivity or mild disease rose from 57.7% to 86.2%. Median change in serum alkaline phosphatase was -48.5 U/L (P = .5681), and median fecal calprotectin decreased from 485 μg/g to 67.7 μg/g. Clinical, endoscopic, and biochemical improvements were observed across low- (≤500 mg/d) and high-dose (>500 mg/d) groups. Five-year vancomycin-free survival was comparable between dose groups. Conclusion:Oral vancomycin was associated with meaningful improvements in clinical, endoscopic, histologic, and biomarker outcomes in intestinal inflammation of patients with PSC-IBD, with durable responses across different doses. These findings support vancomycin as a potential disease-modifying therapy, warranting prospective randomized trials to establish efficacy, optimal dosing, and long-term safety.
Background:Mirikizumab is an anti-IL23p19 antibody that has shown efficacy in treating moderately to severely active Crohn's disease in a phase 2 study. We studied mirikizumab's impact on quality of life in these patients. Methods:Patients (N = 191) were randomized using a 2:1:1:2 allocation across 4 treatment arms (placebo, 200 mg, 600 mg, or 1000 mg mirikizumab, administered intravenously every 4 weeks [week 0, week 4, and week 8]). Patients who received mirikizumab and achieved ≥1-point improvement in Simple Endoscopic Score for Crohn's Disease at week 12 were rerandomized into double-blind maintenance to continue treatment with either intravenous assignment or 300 mg mirikizumab subcutaneous every 4 weeks to week 52. Non-improvers or placebo patients received 1000 mg mirikizumab until week 52. Patients with clinical benefit from the maintenance period received 300 mg subcutaneously to week 104. Quality of life and patient-reported outcomes were evaluated with the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire, 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey Mental Component Summary and Physical Component Summary, Patient's Global Rating of Severity, and Abdominal Pain Numeric Rating Scale. Quality of life measures were evaluated up to week 104 and analyzed with a mixed model for repeated measures up to week 12 and descriptively afterward. Results:At week 12, all mirikizumab groups had improved quality of life and patient-reported outcome scores compared to placebo. These improvements were sustained through week 52 and week 104. Conclusions:Treatment with mirikizumab was associated with significantly improved quality of life and patient-reported disease severity sustained through week 104 in patients with moderately-to-severely active Crohn's disease in this phase 2 study (NCT02891226).