Clinical efficacy, drug sustainability and serum drug levels in Crohn's disease patients treated with ustekinumab - A prospective, multicenter cohort from Hungary

Dose Escalation Patterns of Advanced Therapies in Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: A Systematic Literature Review

INTRODUCTION

Dose escalation is one of the treatment approaches studied and suggested in advanced therapies for Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). This study aimed to identify and characterize the dosing escalation patterns of advanced therapies in CD and UC.

METHODS

Two systematic literature reviews (SLRs) were conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. MEDLINE®, Embase®, and Cochrane Library were searched for articles published between January 2011 and October 2021 and limited to non-interventional studies in English language. Congress and bibliographic searches were also conducted. Articles were screened by two independent researchers. Dose escalation patterns were described and summarized considering the regional regulatory label recommendation (in North America [NA] or outside of North America [ONA]).

RESULTS

Among 3190 CD and 2116 UC articles identified in the Ovid searches, 100 CD and 54 UC studies were included in the SLR, with more studies conducted ONA. Most studies reported an initial maintenance dose pattern aligned with the lower starting dose per local regulatory label; however, several ONA studies (n = 13 out of 14) reported ustekinumab every 8 weeks as starting maintenance pattern in CD. In ONA studies, the median within-guideline escalation rates in CD and UC were 43% in ustekinumab (CD only), 33% and 32% for vedolizumab; 29% and 39% for adalimumab; and 14% and 10% for infliximab. Evidence regarding dose escalation patterns for tofacitinib, certolizumab pegol, and golimumab was limited. Some dose escalation patterns outside of label recommendations were observed including ustekinumab every 8 weeks to every 4 weeks and vedolizumab every 8 weeks to every 6 weeks.

CONCLUSION

Dose escalation strategies are widely documented in the literature. The reported dose escalation patterns and escalation rates vary by region and by CD and UC. Most escalation patterns reported were aligned with regulatory recommendations while some reported more diverse or aggressive dose escalation.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION

CRD42021289251.

Predictive factors of the clinical efficacy of ustekinumab in patients with refractory Crohn's disease: tertiary centers experience in Japan

PURPOSE

Therapeutic efficacy of ustekinumab in the real-world data is limited in patients with refractory Crohn's disease (CD). In addition, factors predictive of better therapeutic efficacy of ustekinumab remains unsolved in CD. We aimed to evaluate therapeutic efficacy of ustekinumab in patients with refractory CD and to identify the factors associated with the efficacy of ustekinumab.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 72 patients treated with ustekinumab for refractory CD. Therapeutic efficacy was assessed at weeks 8, 26, 52, and 104 on the basis of dual remission, defined as the combination of Crohn's Disease Activity Index < 150 and CRP < 0.3 mg/dL, and factors predictive of the induction and maintenance of dual remission were investigated. The cumulative continuation rates and safety of ustekinumab were assessed.

RESULTS

The dual remission rates at weeks 8, 26, 52, and 104 were 31.9%, 37.9%, 47.5%, and 42.6%, respectively. A short disease duration (≤ 2 years) and higher baseline serum albumin levels (≥ 3.1 g/dL) were positively associated with dual remission at weeks 8 and 52. Meanwhile, higher serum CRP levels (≥ 1.19 mg/dL) were negatively associated with dual remission at week 8. The cumulative ustekinumab continuation rate was favorable, and no severe adverse events were found.

CONCLUSION

A short disease duration and higher baseline serum albumin levels might be predictive of favorable therapeutic efficacy of ustekinumab in refractory CD. Induction efficacy appears to be lower in patients with higher serum CRP levels.

Effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in bio-naïve Crohn's disease patients: a multicentre observational retrospective study

Background

Clinical trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of ustekinumab in Crohn's disease (CD). However, more data are necessary on the effectiveness of ustekinumab in bio-naïve patients in real-life studies.

Objectives

The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in patients with CD refractory or intolerant to conventional therapy and without previous exposure to biological drugs.

Design

We performed a nationwide, observational, retrospective, multicentre study including patients with CD, in which ustekinumab was used as the first biological drug.

Methods

The corticosteroid-free clinical and biological response and remission were analysed at weeks 16, 24, 52 and 72. Clinical remission was defined as Harvey-Bradshaw index ⩽ 4 and biological remission as a faecal calprotectin (FC) <250 mg/g and C-reactive protein (CRP) <5 mg/L. Moreover, the persistence of the treatment and any adverse events were assessed.

Results

In all, 84 patients were included in the study, males and females were equally distributed, with a median age of 63 years [interquartile range (IQR): 51-75] and a median disease duration of 6.8 years [IQR: 3.6-17.0]. The majority (86.9%) of patients were treated with ustekinumab as monotherapy, without concomitant immunosuppressive medication. The proportion of patients in corticosteroid-free clinical remission or response at weeks 16, 24, 52 and 72 was 93.3% (56/60), 86.8% (46/53), 82.2% (37/45) and 71.4% (30/42), respectively. CRP returned to normal values in 47.6%, 43.2%, 50% and 52.4% of patients at weeks 16, 24, 52 and 72, respectively. Similarly, FC was normalized in 45.5%, 45.5%, 48.6% and 50% of patients at weeks 16, 24, 52 and 72, respectively. The cumulative probability of remaining on ustekinumab treatment was 84.8% (95% confidence interval: 73.3-91.6) after 72 weeks. Ustekinumab was discontinued in 10 patients (11.9%) within 72 weeks of follow-up. Reasons for discontinuing treatment were lack of response (n = 4), adverse events (n = 4) and death (n = 2). There were no discontinuations because of stable remission.

Conclusions

Ustekinumab was effective and safe in Spanish bio-naïve CD patients, showing a quicker and more durable response than obtained in patients with previous biological treatment. In this cohort of bio-naïve patients starting on ustekinumab, the average age was high.

Plain language summary

Effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in Crohn's disease patients not previously exposed to other biological therapies Evidence on the use of ustekinumab in biological naïve real-world patients is scarce. Here, we present real-world data evaluating the effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in 84 bio-naïve patients from 17 Spanish hospitals. We report high rates of both clinical and biological remission. Moreover, after 1 year, 90.4% of patients remained being treated with ustekinumab. The safety profile of ustekinumab in these patient population was favourable. In conclusion, our results show that in patients with CD, ustekinumab could be considered as first-line therapy.

Effectiveness of swapping to ustekinumab after vedolizumab failure in patients with multi-refractory Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

Ustekinumab (UST) and vedolizumab (VDZ) are biologic therapies for moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease (CD) in patients who failed or had contraindication to anti-TNF treatment.

AIMS

To evaluate ustekinumab efficacy as third-line treatment after swapping from VDZ for failure.

METHODS

We conducted a monocentric, retrospective, observational study where CD patients were followed for 12 months from the beginning of UST therapy. We assessed clinical activity (HBI) and laboratory markers (CRP) at the initiation of UST therapy (T0) and after 2(T2), 6(T6) and 12(T12) months. Endoscopic activity was recorded at T0 and T12. We registered data regarding their clinical history and previous biologic treatments. Steroid-free clinical remission was defined as HBI ≤ 4 without need for steroids. Clinical response was defined as HBI reduction of at least three points or the suspension of steroids.

RESULTS

27 CD patients treated with UST after VDZ failure had a minimum follow up of 12 months and were included. All patients had previously been treated with anti-TNF agents. After 12 months, steroid-free clinical remission was evident in 15 (55.5%) patients, 5 (18.5%) had clinical response, while 7 (26%) had suspended for failure or persisted on treatment after optimization.

CONCLUSIONS

Ustekinumab should be considered as third-line biologic treatment in multi-refractory CD patients.

Real-world effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab induction therapy for Korean patients with Crohn's disease: a KASID prospective multicenter study

BACKGROUND/AIMS

We investigated the real-world effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab (UST) as induction treatment for Koreans with Crohn's disease (CD).

METHODS

CD patients who started UST were prospectively enrolled from 4 hospitals in Korea. All enrolled patients received intravenous UST infusion at week 0 and subcutaneous UST injection at week 8. Clinical outcomes were assessed using Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) scores at weeks 8 and 20 among patients with active disease (CDAI ≥150) at baseline. Clinical remission was defined as a CDAI <150, and clinical response was defined as a reduction in CDAI ≥70 points from baseline. Safety and factors associated with clinical remission at week 20 were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Sixty-five patients were enrolled between January 2019 and December 2020. Among 49 patients with active disease at baseline (CDAI ≥150), clinical remission and clinical response at week 8 were achieved in 26 (53.1%) and 30 (61.2%) patients, respectively. At week 20, 27 (55.1%) and 35 (71.4%) patients achieved clinical remission and clinical response, respectively. Twenty-seven patients (41.5%) experienced adverse events, with serious adverse events in 3 patients (4.6%). One patient (1.5%) stopped UST therapy due to poor response. Underweight (body mass index <18.5 kg/m2) (odds ratio [OR], 0.085; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.014-0.498; P=0.006) and elevated C-reactive protein at baseline (OR, 0.133; 95% CI, 0.022-0.823; P=0.030) were inversely associated with clinical remission at week 20.

CONCLUSIONS

UST was effective and well-tolerated as induction therapy for Korean patients with CD.

Real-World Evidence of the Effectiveness and Safety of Ustekinumab for the Treatment of Crohn’s Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

(1) Background: Evidence on the outcomes of ustekinumab treatment in real-world Crohn’s disease (CD) patients is needed. Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in CD, reported by observational studies. (2) Methods: bibliographical searches were performed (PubMed, EMBASE). Selection: observational studies assessing the effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in CD. Exclusion criteria: studies using ustekinumab as a prophylaxis for postoperative recurrence or perianal disease. Data synthesis: effectiveness by intention-to-treat (random-effects model). Data were stratified by study design, population included, administered dose, and prior biologic exposure. (3) Results: A total of 63 studies (8529 patients) were included. Response was achieved in 60% (95% CI, 54–67%) in the short term (8–14 weeks); 64% (57–71%) in the medium term (16–24 weeks); and 64% (52–74%) in the long term (48–52 weeks). Remission was achieved in 37% (28–46%) in the short term; 42% (36–49%) in the medium term; and 45% (37–53%) in the long term. The endoscopic remission rate was 33% (25–40%) in the long term. Eighteen percent of patients lost response during follow-up. Nearly one-third of the patients needed dose optimisation, and in 59% of them it was effective. Twenty-five percent of patients developed adverse events, leading to treatment withdrawal in seven percent of the cases. (4) Conclusions: Ustekinumab is an effective and safe therapy in real-world refractory CD patients. Dose optimisation is frequently required, being effective in a high percentage of cases.

Effectiveness of ustekinumab in patients with refractory Crohn's disease: a multicentre real-life study in Italy

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness of ustekinumab in patients with refractory Crohn's disease (CD) has been investigated in several real-world studies. However, very few data concerning the real-life experience in Italy have been reported. Therefore, this study assessed the effectiveness of ustekinumab in a large cohort of Italian patients with refractory CD.

METHODS

All patients who had started on ustekinumab after failure of or intolerance to antitumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) treatment at five tertiary centres between November 2018 and February 2020 were retrospectively enrolled. The coprimary outcome was corticosteroid-free clinical remission, defined as a Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI) score of ⩽4, at weeks 26 and 52. The secondary outcomes were changes in the HBI and C-reactive protein (CRP) values at weeks 8, 26, and 52 from baseline and the normalization of CRP in patients with initially abnormal values.

RESULTS

Totally, 140 patients who had previously received at least one anti-TNF-α agent were enrolled; 40.0% received two anti-TNF-α agents and 20.0% received vedolizumab. At baseline, 108 patients (77.1%) had HBI scores of >4; of these, 56.5% and 58.3% achieved corticosteroid-free clinical remission at weeks 26 and 52, respectively. Significant decreases in HBI and CRP values were observed at weeks 8, 26, and 52 in the entire study cohort (all p < 0.0001). The CRP values were normalized in 34.9%, 37.8%, and 49.3% of the patients by weeks 8, 26, and 52, respectively. The baseline HBI score of ⩾8 was a negative predictor of corticosteroid-free clinical remission at week 52 (odds ratio: 0.21, 95% confidence interval: 0.08-0.56, p = 0.002). The probability of remaining on ustekinumab after 52 weeks was 92.1%. Eleven (7.9%) patients discontinued ustekinumab (three for adverse events).

CONCLUSION

Our study findings confirm the effectiveness and safety of ustekinumab in patients with CD after failure of or intolerance to anti-TNF-α therapy.