Safety and efficacy of long-term tofacitinib treatment in East Asian patients with ulcerative colitis in OCTAVE Open

Post-marketing surveillance of tofacitinib in patients with ulcerative colitis in Japan: a final report of safety and effectiveness data

BACKGROUND

We present the final analysis of a tofacitinib post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study in Japanese patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).

METHODS

Safety/effectiveness data were evaluated (through Sept/30/2022). All patients with UC in Japan receiving tofacitinib were registered (60-week observation period). Adverse events (AEs) were recorded. Per protocol, several AEs were identified as clinically important/potential risks; all treatment-period data were used to calculate incidence rates (IRs; unique patients with events/100 patient-years [PY] of exposure). Effectiveness was assessed (partial/total Mayo score), with last observation carried forward for imputation of missing data.

RESULTS

Overall, 2043 patients were enrolled (safety analysis set: n = 1982/effectiveness analysis set: n = 1969). Data were excluded for 13 patients from two hospitals from which consent was not obtained for publication and which, therefore, were not permitted for publication. AEs and serious AEs were observed in 33.4% and 5.2% of patients, respectively; one death occurred (intestinal abscess). Herpes zoster (HZ; non-serious and serious) was the most reported infection (n = 92 [IR 5.93/100 PY, 95% confidence interval 4.78, 7.27]). Serious infection, malignancy, cardiovascular and venous thromboembolic events IRs were 1.51/100 PY, 0.62/100 PY, 0.13/100 PY, and 0.31/100 PY, respectively. Overall, 52.4% of patients discontinued treatment, mostly due to inadequate clinical response (48.9%). At Week 60, 1151/1969 patients (58.5%) achieved partial Mayo score remission.

CONCLUSION

The overall safety profile was generally comparable with tofacitinib data from PMS reports from Japan, worldwide and the tofacitinib UC clinical program. However, HZ IR was higher than in the tofacitinib UC clinical program. Tofacitinib effectiveness was consistent with data from the tofacitinib UC clinical program.

CLINICALTRIALS

GOV: NCT03643211.

Clinical Outcomes for Patients With Ulcerative Colitis in Cases of Withdrawal and Resumption of Janus Kinase Inhibitors: Multicenter Cohort Study

Background

Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKis) have revolutionized ulcerative colitis (UC) management; however, the consequences of treatment discontinuation in patients achieving clinical remission remain poorly understood. This study investigated the clinical outcomes following JAKi discontinuation and retreatment effectiveness in patients with relapse.

Methods

In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, we analyzed 101 patients with UC who received their first JAKi treatment between 2018 and 2024. Among them, 53 who achieved remission (Patient-Reported Outcome 2 = 0) in week 8 were included. The primary endpoint was a comparison of relapse-free survival between the treatment continuation and discontinuation groups (n = 37 and 16, respectively). The secondary endpoints included assessment of post-discontinuation remission maintenance and post-retreatment remission rates.

Results

The proportion of female patients in the discontinuation group (68.8%) was higher (P = .0478) than the continuation group (40.5%). The mean relapse-free survival was significantly longer in the continuation group than in the discontinuation group (1679 vs 882 days, cumulative relapse-free rate 83.3% vs 13.6%, P < .001, respectively). In the latter, 13 patients experienced relapse during follow-up (post-discontinuation mean relapse-free survival: 326 days), although all patients remained in clinical and biological remission. Notably, among patients who received JAKi retreatment, 83.3% achieved remission in week 8.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first real-world study to evaluate the effects of JAKi discontinuation on the outcomes for patients with UC. JAKi discontinuation in patients in remission was associated with a high relapse risk. JAKi retreatment was highly effective in patients who experienced relapse after treatment discontinuation, providing valuable evidence for managing treatment interruption.

Quercus infectoria galls mitigates colitis in mice through alleviating mucosal barrier impairment and suppressing inflammatory factors

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Xipayi Kuijie'an herbal enema preparation, a traditional Uyghur medicinal preparation derived from Quercus infectoria galls (QIG), has been clinically employed at Xinjiang Uyghur Medical Hospital for ulcerative colitis (UC) management. Despite its well-documented therapeutic efficacy, the precise mechanisms underlying its pharmacological actions remain poorly understood.

AIM OF STUDY

This study aimed to elucidate the therapeutic mechanisms of QIG against UC through an integrated approach combining network pharmacology analysis with experimental validation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An integrated approach combining network pharmacology analysis and molecular docking simulations was employed to identify bioactive compounds and their corresponding molecular targets. The effects of QIG on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) induced colitis were systematically investigated, including disease activity index (DAI), colon length, histopathological observations, as well as the determination of colonic mucosal barrier permeability and biochemical indicators.

RESULTS

QIG significantly improved DAI and CMDI scores, reduced colonic shortening, decreased colonic mucosal barrier permeability, reduce the release of pro-inflammatory factors and mitigated histopathological changes.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the efficacy of an integrated approach combining network pharmacology with experimental validation as a robust strategy for elucidating the therapeutic mechanisms of traditional medicines, as exemplified by the systematic investigation of QIG's anti-ulcerative colitis properties.

[Small Molecule Therapy for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: JAK Inhibitors and S1PR Modulators]

Small molecules, including Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulators (S1PRMs), are promising new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Small molecules exhibit more predictable pharmacokinetics than biologics, are less likely to induce immune responses, and can be administered orally. JAK inhibitors function by blocking the activity of JAK enzymes, which prevents the subsequent phosphorylation and activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins. Tofacitinib and filgotinib are approved for treating ulcerative colitis (UC), while upadacitinib is approved for UC and Crohn's disease. Nevertheless, JAK inhibitors can increase the risk of herpes zoster, cancer, major adverse cardiovascular events, and venous thromboembolism. S1PRMs bind to S1PRs, particularly S1PR1, on lymphocytes. This interaction inhibits lymphocytes from exiting the lymph nodes and migrating to the gut, thereby reducing inflammation and the immune response in the intestinal mucosa. Ozanimod and etrasimod are S1PRMs approved for the treatment of UC, but they can cause side effects such as bradycardia, conduction disorder, and macular edema. Overall, JAK inhibitors and S1PRMs offer significant benefits in managing IBD, although their potential side effects require careful monitoring.

Tofacitinib Versus Oral Prednisolone for Induction of Remission in Moderately Active Ulcerative Colitis [ORCHID]: A Prospective, Open-Label, Randomized, Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Oral corticosteroids are first-line agents to induce remission in moderately active ulcerative colitis [UC], but are associated with adverse effects. We compared the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib and prednisolone for induction of remission in moderately active UC.

METHODS

This was a single-centre, prospective, open-label, randomized, active-controlled pilot study. Eligible patients [aged ≥18 years] had moderately active UC. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either prednisolone [40 mg daily, tapered by 5 mg every week] or tofacitinib [10 mg twice daily] for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was composite remission [defined as total Mayo clinic score ≤2, with endoscopic sub-score of 0 and faecal calprotectin <100 µg/g] at 8 weeks.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight patients were randomly assigned to either of the treatment groups. At week 8, the proportion of patients achieving composite remission in the tofacitinib [7/43, 16.28%] and prednisolone groups [3/35, 8.57%] were not significantly different (odds ratio [OR] 2.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.49-8.70; p = 0.31). The time to achieve symptomatic remission [normal stool frequency with absence of rectal bleeding] was similar (10 days, interquartile range [IQR 7-18.75] and 10 days [IQR 5-12.5] for tofacitinib and prednisolone, respectively; p = 0.25) in the two groups. One patient each in the tofacitinib and prednisolone group discontinued treatment due to development of pulmonary tuberculosis and pustular acne, respectively. One patient receiving tofacitinib developed herpes zoster, but did not require cessation of therapy. No serious adverse events or major adverse cardiovascular events were observed.

CONCLUSION

In patients with moderately active UC, there was no difference in the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib and oral prednisolone for induction of remission at 8 weeks.

TRAIL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trials Registry of India [CTRI/2021/10/037641].

Xihuang pill ameliorates colitis in mice by improving mucosal barrier injury and inhibiting inflammatory cell filtration through network regulation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The prevalence of colitis is on the rise, and effective treatment options are currently lacking. Xihuang pill (XHP) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula mentioned in the "Volume 4 of Surgical Evidence and Treatment of the Whole Life" authored by the renowned doctor Hong-Xu Wang during the Qing Dynasty. It is now part of the "Volume 9 of Chinese medicine formula preparation in Drug Standard." XHP and its primary ingredients have been demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties against colitis. However, the specific effects and underlying mechanisms of XHP in treating colitis remain unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to investigate the potential impact of XHP on colitis and uncover the underlying mechanisms involved.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An acute colitis model was developed in C57BL/6N mice, and the effects on weight loss, colon length, the permeability of the colonic mucosa barrier, Claudin-5 and Occludin expression, number of both infiltrating MPO-positive cells and CD68-positive cells, and the content of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-22, IL-1β, and TNF-α) in the colon tissue were investigated. Low-, medium-, and high-dose XHP (0.45, 0.9, and 1.8 g/kg/day) (batch number: z21021222) were administered to the mice by gavage over the course of two weeks. Additionally, the protein expression levels in colon tissue from the control group, colitis group, and XHP low-dose administration group mice were analyzed by quantitative proteomics techniques. The comprehensive profiling and characterization of absorbed components in mice blood following oral administration of XHP were identified by HPLC/Q-TOF-MS techniques, and the absorbed components in blood were combined with proteomics to reveal the mechanism of enteritis inhibition by XHP.

RESULTS

Our findings indicated that XHP enhanced weight loss and colonic shortening of colitis mice. Additionally, XHP reduced the increase in permeability of the colonic mucosa barrier and decreased expression of Claudin-5 and Occludin, while significantly reducing the number of infiltrating MPO-positive cells and CD68-positive cells in the colon tissue. We found that XHP reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6, IL-22, IL-1β, and TNF-α in colon tissue. Pharmacokinetic analysis suggested that XHP contained 24 blood-entering prototype ingredients, which improved colitis through the regulation of various proteins (e.g., Ctsb, Sting1, and Abat) linked to mucosal barrier injury and inflammation.

CONCLUSION

XHP improved intestinal mucosal barrier injury and reduced MPO-positive cells and CD68-positive cell infiltration through multiple targets and pathways, providing support for XHP as a promising therapy for colitis.

Therapeutic consequences in patients with both inflammatory rheumatic diseases and multiple sclerosis

Dealing with patients with both multiple sclerosis (MS) and inflammatory rheumatic disorders (IRDs) is not uncommon for a rheumatologist, as there is a statistical association between SpA and MS. As several CNS demyelinating events have been reported in patients treated with TNF inhibitor (TNFi), the pre-existing demyelinating disease was considered a contraindication for TNFi. However, this contraindication is mainly based on a randomized controlled trial in MS and not on large epidemiological studies. According to the last epidemiological studies, TNFi might not be an inducer of MS. Moreover, there are no clear recommendations on the use of the other DMARDs in patients suffering from an IRD and MS. In this review, we summarize the link between MS and IRDs and the impact of DMARDs on MS, especially TNFi. We also look at the impact of disease-modifying drugs for adults with MS and IRDs.